EXPERT RESPONSE
If you are using Exchange Server as part of Windows SBS, then both your incoming and outgoing email servers are probably the same, meaning that Exchange handles both. However, if this is not the case, then where is the outgoing email server? Is it also on your local area network (LAN)? Or is hosted offsite by an Internet Service Provider (ISP)? If the latter is true, then it's possible that the ISP does not permit pinging to that server and has intentionally disabled it.
You can test the outgoing email server by opening a command prompt and then typing:
TELNET <IP ADDRESS OR DNS NAME OF SERVER> 25
For example: telnet outgoingserver.isp.net 25
If the Telnet connection fails, then you have a problem. But if you receive a message that indicates a server name, date/time, etc., then you are good to go.
Do you have comments on this Ask the Expert Q&A? Let us know.
Related information from SearchExchange.com:
Tip: How to perform a Telnet SMTP session for Exchange 2003
Tutorial: How to use SMTP queues to troubleshoot mail flow
FAQ: Microsoft Exchange and Windows SBS
Reference Center: SMTP tips and resources
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