How to Assign Ports and IP Addresses to Virtual Servers
When you create a virtual server for a protocol, you have the option of using the default port assignments and Internet Protocol (IP) address for the server. The following table shows the default port assignments associated with the protocols.
The default IP address is (All Unassigned), which means that a specific IP address has not been assigned and the virtual server will use the IP address of the Microsoft® Exchange 2003 server that is currently hosting the virtual server. These default values provide a virtual server with automatic discovery—the server can immediately receive incoming connections by using the default IP address and ports.
Default port assignments
| Protocols | TCP port | Secure Sockets Layer (SSL) port |
|---|---|---|
SMTP |
25 |
Not available |
IMAP4 |
143 |
993 |
POP3 |
110 |
995 |
NNTP |
119 |
563 |
Before You Begin
Although it is highly recommended that you use the default port assignments, you do not have to use the default IP address. You can use the IP address from any available network card as the IP address for the virtual server.
If you plan to create multiple virtual servers, each virtual server must have a unique combination of ports and IP address. Because the port settings are standard and should not be changed, you will need to provide each virtual server with a unique IP address.
Besides creating a unique combination of ports and IP address for each virtual server, you can also configure multiple identities for your virtual server. Multiple identities enable you to associate multiple host or domain names with a single virtual server.
Important
If you do not use the recommended port assignments, some clients may be not able to connect. You may also have to reconfigure your client software manually to connect to the new port assignments.
Note
To fully enable SSL on the POP3 virtual server, you must request and install a certificate. You must do this even if you leave the default SSL port set at 995 on the POP3 virtual server. For more information about installing certificates, see "Using Secure Sockets Layer" in Securing Your Exchange Messaging Environment.
Procedure
To assign ports and IP addresses to virtual servers
Log on the Exchange server where the virtual server is running using the Exchange administrator account that has local Administrator permissions and Exchange Full Administrator permissions.
In Exchange System Manager, expand Protocols, right-click the protocol that is to be assigned a new IP address or to which you want to add a new identity, and then click Properties.
On the General tab, click Advanced.
In the Advanced dialog box, click Edit to change the IP address to a unique value, or click Add to add a new identity (that is, a new IP address and port combination).
For More Information
- For information about configuring and managing client protocols, see Managing Protocols.