Exchange - Net Admin - Outlook
Windows Mobile - Windows

Contact - Director's Blog

Exchange Server Home

Exchange Consultancy

Exchange Resources

Microsoft Exchange
Amazon Store

Basic Email Gateway Server

Company wide Contact List

Disabled User Account

Distribution Lists

DNS Configuration

Exchange and a
Dynamic IP Address

Event ID 1221

Filter Unknown Users

Global Mailbox Folder
Permissions from Server

Intelligent Message Filter

Internal Email Address
for External People

Mailbox and Management
Account

Message Tracking

Migrating to a new server

Multiple Domains

Offline Address Book Errors

Options when a Staff Member
Leaves

Outlook Web Access

PDAs, OMA and EAS

Permissions Best Practises

Post Install Configuration

Public Folders

Prerequisites for Exchange
System Tools

RPC over HTTPS

Secure your SMTP Relay

Shutdown Script

SMTP Services and Exchange

SMTP Diagnostics

Spam Cleanup

Switching From POP3
to SMTP Delivery

Telnet Test

Username Change

Working with SMTP
Author: Simon Butler, Exchange MVP, MCSE

SMTP is core to the operation of Exchange 200x. This section brings together our articles on working SMTP. While directed at Exchange server, many of the themes mentioned in these articles will apply to any SMTP email server being used on the Internet.

Configuring SMTP

Configuring an SMTP Connector
An SMTP Connector allows you to use another machine to route your outbound email through when you are unable to deliver your email directly - either because the sender or your ISP doesn't allow your server to connect.

DNS Configuration
How you should configure DNS, MX records, reverse DNS and what the server announces itself as to ensure that your email has the best chance of being delivered and not rejected by anti-spam measures.

Filter Out Mail to Non-Existent Users - Exchange 2003
Filter Out Mail to Non-Existent Users - Exchange 2007

How to stop receiving email for addresses that don't exist on your network

Basic Gateway Server
Build an email gateway server to put in your DMZ, that works just like Edge Services on Exchange 2007, but for any version of Exchange. Cheaper too.

SMTP Diagnostics
Use tools available in Windows and on the Internet to see why your email is not being delivered.

Why you shouldn't use a POP3 Connector (blog - opens in new window)
This blog article provides resolutions to the main arguments for using a POP3 connector, rather than native SMTP Delivery.

Routing Groups and SMTP Virtual Server Issues (blog - opens in new window)
This blog posting details the problems with SMTP virtual server configuration on Exchange 2003 and routing groups.

Securing SMTP

Are you an Open Relay?
How to check whether your Exchange server is an open relay, and what to change to secure it.

Securing Users When Relaying SMTP Email
How to tighten the security when you are allowing users to relay through your server, and trying to avoid "Authenticated User" relaying.

Restrict Users from Sending and Receiving Internet Email
A quick guide on allowing users to send and receive email internally, but unable to send or receive email to the Internet.

Cleaning up after an NDR attack or open relay
How to clear the queues caused by attempts to use your server to send spam

Usernames Tried During Authenticated User Attack (blog - opens in new window)
This blog posting outlines some of the usernames that were tried during an authenticated user attack.

Telnet Test
How to carry out a manual telnet test to verify that SMTP is working correctly

Experiences with Greylisting (blog - opens in new window)
In this blog posting, the site author shares some of his experiences with the antispam technique greylisting. You should also deploy the hotfix from this article: Hotfix for the Exchange 2003 Greylisting Bug (blog - opens in new window)

Using SMTP To Work More Effectively

Using Exchange to Provide a Backup MX Server for Another Domain
How to configure Exchange to queue email when another server is down.

The Problem with Backup MX Services and an Alternative(blog - opens in new window)
A common request is for Backup MX Services, which your ISP may offer. This blog posting explains why they are not a good idea and an alternative.

Sharing a Single IP Address with another SMTP Server
If you have another SMTP server on your network, how to use Exchange to relay email to it over the single connection.