Exchange System Manager Does Not Verify Smart Host DNS Names

Messages may be queued in an SMTP connector queue awaiting delivery to a smart host. If the smart host name is not valid, these messages are not delivered. In certain cases, it may not be readily apparent that the smart host name is not a valid name, for example if the smart host name includes leading or trailing spaces.

When you configure an SMTP connector in Exchange System Manager, it is possible to enter a smart host name that is not a valid Domain Name System (DNS) host name or one that contains invalid characters. For example, Exchange System Manager does not truncate leading or trailing spaces.

Exchange System Manager does not check the smart host field to see if it is a valid or reachable host name. This allows you to configure a connector to deliver to a smart host that is not currently reachable.

Verify that the name of the smart host on the General tab of the connector properties is valid, and does not contain leading or trailing spaces.

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server.