Outgoing SMTP messages remain in the outgoing queue, and you do not receive any NDRs on a server that is running Exchange Server 2003, Exchange 2000 Server, or Small Business Server 2003 (305394)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, Premium Edition
  • Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, Standard Edition
This article was previously published under Q305394

SYMPTOMS

When you use Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server, Microsoft Exchange Server 2003, or Microsoft Windows Small Business Server 2003, outgoing Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) messages remain in the outgoing queue even though incoming SMTP messages are delivered correctly. No related events appear in the Event Viewer on the server. Additionally, you do not receive any non-delivery reports (NDRs).

This issue occurs even though the following conditions are true:
  • The server has the Default SMTP Virtual Server configuration.
  • The server is using Domain Name Service (DNS).
  • The server does not forward messages to a host Microsoft Internet Security and Acceleration (ISA) server. However, the server is behind the ISA server.

CAUSE

The issue may occur if any one of the following conditions is true:
  • The Default Virtual SMTP server does not have the internal IP address of the ISA server.
  • The external DNS settings for the forest do not contain the internal IP address of the ISA server.
  • You are using client groups for a protocol rule on the ISA server. Additionally, the system account does not have permission to forward DNS requests to the DNS server of the Internet service provider (ISP).

RESOLUTION

If the server that is running Exchange Server 2003, Exchange 2000 Server, or Small Business Server 2003 is behind an ISA server, add the internal IP address of the ISA server:
  1. Add the internal IP address of the ISA server to the Default Virtual SMTP external DNS settings in Exchange 2000 Server or in Exchange Server 2003.
  2. Add the internal IP address of the ISA server to the external DNS settings for the forest.
  3. At the ISA server, configure the Site and Content rule to Allow Any Request.
If you are using client groups for a protocol rule, and the rule applies specifically to users who do not have the system account, follow these steps on the ISA server:
  1. Create a client set for the IP address of the internal DNS server.
  2. Add this client rule to the protocol rule.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:11/9/2005
Keywords:kbprb KB305394
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