This step-by-step article describes the procedure for setting the maximum hop count for messages. A message can be routed (hop) through many different servers before the message reaches its destination. To prevent a message's being repeatedly misrouted, an administrator can control the maximum number of hops that is allowable.
Set the Message Hop Count
- Click Start, point to Programs, point to Microsoft Exchange, and then click System Manager.
- If administrative groups are enabled, expand the administrative group in which the server that you want to use is located.
- In the console tree, click Server, expand your server, and double-click Protocols.
- Double-click SMTP, right-click the SMTP Virtual Server that you want to work with, and then click Properties.
- On the Delivery tab, click Advanced.
- In the Advanced Delivery dialog box, type a new value in the Maximum hop count box. Valid values are between 10 and 256.
- Click OK, and then click OK again.