Supporting Messaging Clients

Configure a Smart Host

You can route all outgoing messages for remote domains through a smart host instead of sending them directly to the domain. This enables you to route messages over a connection that may be more direct or less costly than other routes.

Note   The smart host setting for SMTP virtual servers is similar to the one set on SMTP connectors. Microsoft recommends configuring smart hosts on the connector, because connectors can handle message delivery on a per-domain basis.

You can identify the smart host by FQDN or an IP address (but if you change the IP address you need to change it on every virtual server as well). If you use an IP address, you must enclose it in brackets [ ]. Exchange checks first for a server name, and then an IP address. The brackets identify the value as an IP address, so the DNS lookup is bypassed.

To set up a smart host:

  1. Start System Manager
    On the Start menu, point to Programs, point to Microsoft Exchange, and then click System Manager.
  2. Navigate to the SMTP virtual server.
    1. Servers
    2. Server
    3. Protocols
    4. SMTP
    5. SMTP virtual servers
    6. SMTP virtual server
  3. Right-click the SMTP virtual server, and then click Properties.
  4. On the Delivery tab, click Advanced.
  5. In Advanced Delivery, in Smart host, type the name of the smart host server. You can type a string to represent a name or enter an IP address enclosed in brackets.
  6. If you want Exchange to attempt to deliver messages directly before forwarding them to the smart host server, select the Attempt direct delivery before sending to smart host check box. When a smart host is configured, direct delivery is not attempted by default.

Related Topics

Install an SMTP Connector