XCON: Exchange Server Message Transfer Agent MIME Internet X.400 Enhanced Relay - MIXER

ID: Q238491


The information in this article applies to:
  • Microsoft Exchange Server, versions 5.5, 5.5 SP3


SUMMARY

There is a large community using RFC 822-based protocols, Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), for mail services, who may want to communicate with users of the Interpersonal Messaging System (IPMS) provided by X.400 systems. The Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions (MIME) Internet X.400 Enhanced Relay (MIXER) defines a method for mapping message formats between RFC 822/MIME and X.400.


MORE INFORMATION

Possible Configurations

  • A "gateway" between X.400 and SMTP networks. It is not a requirement that custom recipients be set up to map recipient addresses.


  • Routing X.400 messages over an Internet connection, or SMTP messages over an X.400 Connector.


  • Inter-working with other mail systems that use the RFC 822 Domain Defined Attribute (DDA) to encapsulate SMTP addresses. The MIXER message transfer agent (MTA) understands this DDA type, and also uses it (in place of the SMTP DDA type) when sending a message out of the site.


Address Mapping

The MTA MIXER supports four types of address mapping:
  • GAL: Use of the Exchange Server global address list (the current method). If a custom recipient or a mailbox exists that can map the address, then this mapping is taken, and MIXER is not invoked.


  • Encapsulation: An SMTP address can be provided by adding the DDA type RFC 822 to the site's X.400 address. The value of the DDA is the SMTP address. For example, c=co; a=admd, p=Org, dda:rfc-822=user@internet_address.com. An X.400 address can be encapsulated in an SMTP address, as in the current product.


  • MCGAM Mapping: This is the MIXER Conformant Global Address Mapping. It is implemented in Exchange Server as a plain text file called Mcgam.in.txt, which is placed in the MTA's run directory (normally Mtadata). In this file, the administrator specifies exactly how addresses are to be mapped, by specifying domains and subdomains, and indicating how they are mapped to the Country, ADMD, PRMD, Organization, and OrgUnit values, and vice versa.


  • Algorithmic Mapping: RFC 2156/MIXER also specifies how SMTP address strings can be automatically mapped to X.400 addresses, for example, c=de; a=admd; p=microsoft; o=pss; s= user_alias is automatically mapped to user_alias@pss.microsoft.admd.de. If this mapping is not the one you want, then the administrator must define one in the MCGAM File.


For additional information, please refer to RFC 2156. This feature is available in the latest service pack for Exchange Server version 5.5. For additional information, please see the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q191014 XGEN: How to Obtain the Latest Exchange Server 5.5 Service Pack
This feature was first included in Exchange Server 5.5 Service Pack 3.

Additional query words:

Keywords : exc55 exc55sp3 EXC55SP3Fea
Version : winnt:5.5,5.5 SP3
Platform : winnt
Issue type : kbinfo


Last Reviewed: September 28, 1999
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