SMTP: Err Msg: ERROR Connect: (121) Network Error

 Last reviewed: October 20, 1997
Article ID: Q99852
2.10 3.00 MS-DOS kb3rdparty kbtlc

The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Mail Gateway to SMTP, versions 2.1 and 3.0

SYMPTOMS

Versions 2.1 and 3.0 of Microsoft Mail Gateway to SMTP may display one of the following messages:

  • ERROR connect: (121) network error

    -or-

  • ERROR connection to smart host failed

    -or-

  • NC_incoming: unavailable

These errors indicate that the SMTP Gateway cannot connect to the SMTP router, also called the smarthost, which you can configure in the Administrator program under Gateway, SMTP, Setup, as follows: 

   IP address of SMTP Router:  XXX.XXX.XXX.XXX

CAUSE

The error occurs if:

  • The smarthost is down.
  • The smarthost is not configured to answer SMTP calls.
  • The network between the SMTP gateway computer and the smarthost is down.
  • The TCP/IP configuration on the gateway computer is incorrect.

RESOLUTION

You can test for the above conditions by trying to "telnet" to port 25 of the SMTP router: type the number 25 after the IP address of your SMTP router. If this test succeeds, the gateway will run. If it fails, you have to bring the host or network back up, or make configuration changes as needed.

The telnet process may differ with software. Consult the telnet documentation for a particular port connection procedure.

Additional reference words: 2.10 3.00 errmsg admin
KBCategory: kb3rdparty kbtlc
KBSubcategory: MailGWSMTP

THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY.

Last reviewed: October 20, 1997
© 1998 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Terms of Use.