Unknown SMTP Issue

[This topic is intended to address a specific issue called out by the Exchange Server Analyzer Tool. You should apply it only to systems that have had the Exchange Server Analyzer Tool run against them and are experiencing that specific issue. The Exchange Server Analyzer Tool, available as a free download, remotely collects configuration data from each server in the topology and automatically analyzes the data. The resulting report details important configuration issues, potential problems, and nondefault product settings. By following these recommendations, you can achieve better performance, scalability, reliability, and uptime. For more information about the tool or to download the latest versions, see "Microsoft Exchange Analyzers" at https://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=34707.]  

Topic Last Modified: 2006-10-06

The Microsoft® Exchange Server Analyzer Tool queries the Win32_Service Microsoft Windows® Management Instrumentation (WMI) class to determine the value of the Started key for the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) service. A value of False indicates that the SMTP service is not running. A value of True indicates that the SMTP service is running.

The Exchange Server Analyzer also queries the Internet Information Services (IIS) metabase to determine the value for the ServerState property for the SMTP virtual server instance.

The ServerState property presents the current state of the server instance. The state codes, and the corresponding states, are as follows:

State Code State

1

Starting

2

Started

3

Stopping

4

Stopped

5

Pausing

6

Paused

7

Continuing

The Exchange Server Analyzer displays a warning if the following conditions are true:

  • The SMTP service is running.

  • All SMTP virtual server instances on the server are started.

This warning indicates that, although the SMTP service and SMTP virtual server instances appear to be functional, an issue that requires additional investigation prevents the SMTP ports from responding correctly.

This issue might be caused by the following:

  • The SMTP service is in a hung state.

  • A firewall or antivirus application is blocking communication to the SMTP ports.

To address this issue:

  • Restart the SMTP service.

  • Review the configuration of any firewalls or antivirus applications with regard to the SMTP ports.

  • Review the specific error guidance and links provided by the Exchange Server Analyzer.

To start, stop, or pause the SMTP service

  1. Click Start, point to Administrative Tools, and then click Component Services.

  2. In the console tree, click Services (Local).

  3. In the results pane, right-click Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP), and then click Start, Stop, or Pause.