Question : Exchange Server keeping Messages In Queue

See http://www.experts-exchange.com/Software/Server_Software/Email_Servers/Exchange/Q_23341097.html for the problem we had a year ago.

So this is just about the same problem. Even the exact same event log events apply: http://filedb.experts-exchange.com/incoming/2008/04_w17/19572/ErrMsges042208.txt

The server has been running fine for the past year up until a month ago when the email just all of a sudden stopped being sent out.

We're using smtp.mts.net as our smart host for the SmallBusiness SMTP connector we have set up. We've talked to MTS and verified that we're not on any sort of blocklist on their servers. Yet half the time our SMTP connector fails to make a connection to our smart host. And even when it can make a connection, it won't empty the queue.

Things we've tried (and have worked for about 4 hours then failed):
- Uninstalling and reinstalling Panda Antivirus.
- Removing the test SMTP connector we had.
- Removing and adding back in the virtual SMTP server into the Local Bridgehead list.
- Switching from EHLO to HELO, and fudged around with the ETRN settings when EHLO was back on.
- Restarting the server.
- CHKDSK C: /R & Defragging
- Smashing head against desk until new idea pops up in head.

Another weird thing I should note is that any time I VPN into their network, I get new events popping up (listed in code Section below).

Hell, I'm just about ready to reinstall SBS2003 from scratch, but maybe you can come up with a better idea than I can.

(Oh, and as for the tcpsvcs.exe crash, we already have SP2 installed, so the KB article here is moot: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/897655/ F.Y.I)

Code Snippet:

         
             Faulting application tcpsvcs.exe, version 5.2.3790.0, faulting module unknown, version 0.0.0.0, fault address 0x00000103
 
followed by 
 
Fault bucket 156882893
 
and TCPSVCS.exe crashes.

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Answer : Exchange Server keeping Messages In Queue

Is it that your exchange server is attempting to open multiple sessions on the smarthost and the smarthost provider has a limit.

I have seen an issue where queues are bloated and trying to send through a smarthost provider and because the provider limits the number of concurrent SMTP connections to a small number (like 5/10 etc), the queues do not appear to be emptying when in fact they are but just extremely slowly.

I'd try DNS if you can. Simply change from smarthost to DNS on your SMTP connector or SMTP bridgehead.

Open Exchange System Manager --> Connectors --> SMTP connector - if you see a connector here that relates to outgoing mail or SMTP, then this may be responsible for outgoing mail. Go to properties and the front page will show if you have a Smarthost entry. If you do, you are using a smarthost. Set to blank if you want to use DNS.

2) Next, check your SMTP bridgehead does not specify a smarthost entry. Open Exchange System Manager -> Servers --> [SERVERNAME] -> Protocols -> SMTP --> Default SMTP virtual server --> Properties --> Delivery --> Advanced --> Smarthost.
If there is an entry here, you are using a smarthost. Set to use DNS instead.

Shaun