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Q191267: XFOR: IMC Won’t Identify Which Server Produced Postmaster NDR

Article: Q191267
Product(s): Microsoft Exchange
Version(s): WINDOWS:4.0,5.0
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 01-MAY-1999

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Exchange Server, versions 4.0, 5.0 
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SYMPTOMS
========

When a message bounces and a non-delivery report (NDR) is produced, the sender
will receive a message from the Postmaster. Exchange Server 4.0 will return an
NDR from postmaster@domain.com, and Exchange Server 5.0 will return a NDR from
postmaster.hostName@domain.com. Exchange Server 4.0 sends the NDR to the wrong
administrator, and causes some confusion in troubleshooting the problem.

CAUSE
=====

This problem was by design and was fixed in Exchange Server 5.0.

WORKAROUND
==========

The perfect solution would be to upgrade computers running Exchange Server 4.0
to 5.0.

If that's not possible, the following workaround will resolve the issue of
misdirected NDR replies from users. However, it affects all Exchange Server
users and custom recipients on the server. Although this workaround worked in a
test environment, it should be tested on a large number of servers before
implementation in a production environment.

1. Double-click the Network icon in Control Panel, and click the Protocols tab.

2. Select TCP/IP Protocol, and click Properties.

3. In the DNS tab, add the server name in front of the domain name in the Domain
  Name textbox. For example, if you enter Server1.DomainName in the Domain Name
  textbox, the NDR will be from POSTMASTER@Server1.DomainName.com, where
  Server1 is the hostname of an Exchange Server computer as specified in the
  Domain Name Service (DNS).

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Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbExchangeSearch kbExchange500 kbExchange400 kbZNotKeyword2
Version           : WINDOWS:4.0,5.0
Issue type        : kbprb

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