Recipe7.1.Creating a New SMTP Virtual Server

Recipe 7.1. Creating a New SMTP Virtual Server

Problem

You need to create an additional SMTP virtual server.

Solution

Open the Exchange System Manager (Exchange System Manager.msc).
Expand the organization Administrative Groups target administrative group Servers target server Protocols SMTP.
SMTP Virtual Server. Enter the name of the new virtual server instance and click Next.
Select the specific IP address this virtual server listens on or leave it on All Unassigned. Click Finish to create the new instance. If the combination of IP address and port is not unique on this server, the new instance will not start.
To modify the port assignment, right-click the new virtual server instance and click Properties. On the General tab, click the Advanced button. Select the identity and click Edit. Modify the TCP/IP port and click OK twice.
Click OK to close the property sheet.

Discussion

Every Exchange 2000 and Exchange Server 2003 server creates a default virtual server instance that is configured to listen on all unassigned IP addresses on port 25. As you create additional virtual servers, you should assign them to specific IP addresses or alternate ports so that they do not interfere with the default virtual server instance. Assigning servers to alternate ports, however, can cause problems with messages passed between virtual server instances using SMTP, such as those between servers in an organization; they will not be able to communicate if one virtual server is on a non-standard port.

While it would be very useful in certain large deployments to be able to create new virtual servers through script, Microsoft gives no documentation or guidance to assist you in this task. This is one of the notable remaining areas in which script support could be increased. On the other hand, Microsoft does not recommend creating multiple virtual servers except under specific conditions, such as dual-homed Exchange servers.