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Q152471: XFOR: Difference Between SMTP:* and SMTP: Address Space

Article: Q152471
Product(s): Microsoft Exchange
Version(s): winnt:4.0,5.0,5.5
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): kbusage exc4 exc5 exc55
Last Modified: 19-DEC-1999

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Exchange Server, versions 4.0, 5.0, 5.5 
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SUMMARY
=======

It is possible to configure the Address Space in an Internet Mail Connector
(IMC), or Internet Mail Service in Exchange Server 5.0 or higher, with a
specific domain the IMC will accept messages for, an asterisk (*), or blank
space (entered with a single space bar entry). This article discusses the
differences between the asterik and blank space entries.

When you use the Microsoft Exchange Internet Mail Connector (IMC) and you have
two routes (address spaces), one with SMTP: and one with SMTP:*, mail will move
on the SMTP:* route even if the cost for this route is higher than the SMTP:
route.

Routing returns four values in order of "best fit" as follows:

- Exact match

- Wildcard match

- Partial substring match

- No match

SMTP:* is considered a wildcard match and SMTP: is considered a partial substring
match.

Additional query words:

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Keywords          : kbusage exc4 exc5 exc55 
Technology        : kbExchangeSearch kbExchange500 kbExchange550 kbExchange400 kbZNotKeyword2
Version           : winnt:4.0,5.0,5.5
Issue type        : kbinfo

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