XFOR: Dequeing SMTP Mail Outside of Dialup Connections

• Microsoft Exchange Server versions 5.0 and 5.5

SYMPTOMS

Microsoft Exchange Server has the ability to send a command or ETRN (with version 5.0 Service Pack 1) to another host to prompt that host to send any messages waiting for the specified domain (also known as "dequeuing").

However, by default, this functionality is limited to only dial-up connections.

If this functionality is required outside of the dial-up connections of the Internet Mail Service (like in the case of Dial-up or Dial-on-demand routers), you must use some method to send this command manually, either through a batch file or the use of a third-party dequeing application.

WORKAROUND

Create a batch file to run on Windows NT AT Command Scheduler (available in the Windows NT Resource Kit) or other third-party scheduling application. The following are example batch files:

  Example 1: (assumes Internet Mail Service is always running)

  PING <other_hosts_ip_address> ---> makes the dialup router initiate its
  connection
  PING <other_hosts_ip_address> ---> verify connection
  FINGER My.DomainA.Com@ISP.Host.DomainB.Com ---> to dequeue

  Example 2: (assumes Internet Mail Service is always running)

  PING <other_hosts_ip_address> ---> makes the dialup router initiate its
  connection
  PING <other_hosts_ip_address> ---> verify connection
  <Retrieval Program> ---> third-party program that dequeues mail

  Example 3: (assumes Internet Mail Service is NOT running)

  PING <other_hosts_ip_address> ---> makes the dialup router initiate its
  connection
  PING <other_hosts_ip_address> ---> verify connection
  NET START MSExchangeIMC ---> starts the Internet Mail Service
  <Retrieval Method: command or executable>
  NET STOP MSExchangeIMC ---> stops the Internet Mail Service