Topic Last Modified: 2006-10-06
The Microsoft® Exchange Server Analyzer Tool queries the Internet Information Services (IIS) metabase for the value of the QueueDirectory attribute of each Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) virtual server instance.
The Exchange Server Analyzer then counts the number of files in the queue folder that is specified for each SMTP virtual server.
If the Exchange Server Analyzer finds that there are 50,000 or more files in the queue folder for an SMTP virtual server, the Exchange Server Analyzer displays a warning.
If the Exchange Server Analyzer finds that there are 90,000 or more files in the queue folder for an SMTP virtual server, the Exchange Server Analyzer displays an error.
This warning or error means that there is a buildup of messages that the SMTP virtual server instance must process. The warning or error indicates a significant performance issue or outage on the server, because the server can no longer deliver the incoming mail in a timely manner. The following conditions can cause this delay:
- The Active Directory® directory service is not being consulted
quickly.
- Messages are not being handed off quickly for local delivery or
SMTP.
To address this issue:
- Review the messages in the queue folder for legitimacy to
verify that the server is not under abnormal load because of
unsolicited commercial e-mail (UCE), or spam, or a virus
attack.
- Verify the SMTP service is enabled and running.
-
Open the Services Microsoft Management Console (MMC) snap-in.
-
In the right pane, scroll down to the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) service and double-click it. This will display the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) Properties dialog box.
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Verify the value in the Startup type drop-down menu is set to Automatic.
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Click Start to start the System Attendant service.
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Click OK to save the changes and close the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) Properties dialog box.
-
Close the Services snap-in.
For more information about how to troubleshoot SMTP queues, see the following Exchange resources:
- "Troubleshooting Mail Flow and SMTP" in the Exchange Server
Transport and Routing Guide (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=47579).
- Microsoft Knowledge Base article 823489, "How to use Queue
Viewer to troubleshoot mail flow issues in Exchange
Server 2003" (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=3052&kbid=823489).
- Microsoft Knowledge Base article 821877, "Description of Fields
on the SMTP and X.400 Queue Properties Tabs" (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=3052&kbid=821877).
- Microsoft Knowledge Base article 264054, "XCON: Understanding
Queue States in Exchange 2000 Server" (http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=3052&kbid=264054).