I solved the issue by using ssmpt instead of nsmtp. This works flawlessly given carambola's network IP is attributed via dhcp. Just select the 'ssmtp' package (leave nsmtp unselected!) in the 'mail' section, run 'makeconfig' and flash carambola with the new image. when rebooted, configure the two files that are in the directory '/etc/ssmtp' to match your environment (google <openwrt ssmpt> might help) then test this with the console command: echo 'mailtest' | ssmtp
aaa@bbb.ccc. To send an email from php, you need to write the console command in a text file, make it executable and run it via 'exec'. cheers