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Q297539: XCON: MTA Queue for Exchange Server Computer Not Displayed

Article: Q297539
Product(s): Microsoft Exchange
Version(s): 5.5
Operating System(s): 
Keyword(s): 
Last Modified: 01-JUN-2001

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The information in this article applies to:

- Microsoft Exchange Server, version 5.5 
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SYMPTOMS
========

When you open the the properties of the Message Transfer Agent (MTA), or click
the Queues tab, the MTA queue for an Exchange Server computer in the same site
may not be displayed.

CAUSE
=====

This issue can occur if the missing queue to the remote Exchange Server computer
was left idle for a long period of time. In this case, the Exchange Server
computer's MTA does not display the queue.

RESOLUTION
==========

To resolve this issue, send a message to a remote mailbox. When you do so, the
MTA queue becomes active again.

STATUS
======

This behavior is by design.

MORE INFORMATION
================

For an example of this behavior, imagine a scenario where Server A and Server B
are in the same Exchange Server site. If there is no mail flow between Server A
and Server B, the MTA queue becomes idle. If the queue is idle for a long period
of time, the MTA on Server A or Server B does not display the queue. Eventually,
both MTAs do not display the queue.

For the queue to be displayed, the queue has to be active with message flow.
Because both Exchange Server computers are in the same site, there is constant
directory replication traffic. The Exchange Server directory communicates
directly to another Exchange Server directory when the servers are in the same
Exchange Server site. Directory replication messages do not pass over MTA
queues.

Additional query words:

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Keywords          :  
Technology        : kbExchangeSearch kbExchange550 kbZNotKeyword2
Version           : :5.5
Issue type        : kbprb

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