As has been said use Net::SMTP a little sample follows, change the ip address in the new clause to be your smtp server. If you are still having problems try telneting to the port you think your smtp server is hanging on (should be port 25) so telnet host 25 will connect you should see something like:

<HOST> ESMTP Sendmail 8.8.3 ready at <date>

Close the connection here, if you dont get this echo (or something similar then you are pointing your client at a duff smtp server.

use Net::SMTP;

my $from='from@email.domain';
my $to='to@email.domain';
my $smtp= Net::SMTP->new('127.0.0.1',
                Timeout => 180);
$smtp->mail($from);
$smtp->to($to);
$smtp->data();
$smtp->datasend("YOUR MESSAGE");
$smtp->dataend();
$smtp->quit();
[download]

UPDATE:

I forgot to mention this kind of question has been covered lots have a look at Super search and search for smtp you will get nuff help and examples. If after looking through those you are still at a loss then come back and I am sure someone will help ya out... Enjoy.
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Zigster