Start SMTP logging for troubleshooting
Adesh Rampat
If your users are encountering problems sending Internet mail, try SMTP protocol logging to find out what the problem is. SMTP logging records SMTP conversations in a flat text file. Basic transaction information and the text of the message are stored in a log file. It's a good idea, though, to use this method only for troubleshooting purposes, because SMTP logging takes up a lot of additional storage space and also slows server performance.
Setting up SMTP Logging
- Run the Exchange Administrator program.
- Select the Connections object.
- Double-click on the Internet Mail Service connector and then select the Diagnostics Logging tab.
- Under "Category," select SMTP Protocol Log then select "Maximum."
- Click OK to close the Internet Mail Service.
- Stop and then restart the Internet Mail Service.
Once you believe that you have enough data, stop the Internet Mail Service (obviously, you want to do this when traffic will be light). Then move all of the log files located in the ExchsrvrImcdataLog directory to the folder of your choice, after which you can restart the Internet Mail Service.
You can then study the log to determine where mail sending is going awry.
Adesh Rampat has 10 years experience with network and IT administration. He is a member of the Association Of Internet Professionals, the Institute For Network Professionals, and the International Webmasters Association. He has also lectured extensively on a variety of topics.
