A POP3 virtual server instance does not come online in an Exchange Server 2003 cluster scenario

A Post Office Protocol version 3 (POP3) virtual server instance does not come online in a Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 cluster scenario.

The following event is logged in the Application log if the Exchange Server Diagnostics Logging level for the POP3Svc service is set to maximum:

Event Type: Warning
Event Source: POP3SVC
Event Category: Connections
Event ID: 1074
Date: Date Time: Time User:
Computer: ComputerName
Description:
Connection from <IPAddress> refused because the server is configured to refuse connections from this address.

This issue occurs if the IP addresses of the cluster and of all the cluster nodes are not added to the connection restriction list of the POP3 virtual server.

To resolve this issue, follow these steps:

1. Increase the Exchange Server Diagnostics Logging level to Maximum.
2. Verify that event ID 1074 is logged in the Application log.
3. In Exchange System Manager, expand the administrative group in which the POP3 virtual server is located.
4. Expand Servers, expand the Exchange server, expand Protocols, and then expand POP3.
5. Right-click the correct POP3 virtual server, and then click Properties.
6. On the Access tab, click Connection.
7. The Computers list shows the computers that currently have connection controls. If All except the below is selected, make sure that the list is empty. This is the default setting.
8. If Only the list below is selected, make sure that the Computers list contains the IP addresses of the cluster and of all the cluster nodes. You must add the IP addresses if they are not listed.
9. Click OK to close the Connection dialog box.
10. In Cluster Administrator, take the POP3 virtual server instance offline, and then bring it back online.

If the POP 3 virtual server instance still fails, follow these steps:

1. Delete the current POP3 virtual server instance.
2. In Exchange System Manager, expand the administrative group in which the POP3 virtual server is located.
3. Expand Servers, expand the Exchange server with which you want to work, expand Protocols, and then expand POP3.
4. Right-click Default POP3 Virtual Server, and then click Properties.
5. Click Advanced, click the IP address of the default POP 3 virtual server, and then click Edit.
6. In the Identification dialog box, change the current port number in the TCP port box to any random number, and then click OK.
7. Expand Servers, expand the Exchange server that you want to work with, and then expand Protocols.
8. Right-click POP3, point to New, and then click POP3 Virtual Server.
9. Accept the default settings in the New POP3 Virtual Server Wizard.
   
   Note The POP3 virtual server will not start automatically.
10. In Cluster Administrator, create a new Exchange POP3 server instance.
11. Associate the new Exchange POP3 server instance with the new POP3 virtual server.
12. Bring the new Exchange POP3 server instance online.