Configuring the local domain for the SMTP service in Windows 2003

This article explains how to configure the local domain for the SMTP service in Windows Server 2003. How to change the name of the default domain, configure the alias domain, and specify the drop folder.

The SMTP service domain is used to organize messages to be delivered. The SMTP virtual server has at least one domain: the default local domain.

Local domains are domain Name System (DNS) domains that are serviced by the native SMTP server. A message that arrives at the SMTP server containing a local domain name is either routed locally to the drop folder or returned to the sender along with a undeliverable (NDR) report.

How to rename a default domain

The default domain is used to stamp messages from addresses that do not contain a domain. The SMTP virtual server must have a default domain. This default domain cannot be deleted.

By default, the name specified in the Computer Name tab of the Control Panel System tool is used as the default domain name. You can also specify a unique name as the default domain name for the SMTP service.

To rename the default domain, follow these steps xx:

Start the MicrosoftInternet Information Services (IIS) Manager or open the IIS snap-in.

Expand Server_Name, where server_name is the name of the server, and then expand the SMTP virtual server that you want (for example, the default SMTP virtual server).

Click a field.

In the right pane, right-click the default domain, and then click Rename.

Type the name you want to use, and then press ENTER.

Quit IIS Manager or close the IIS snap-in.

How to configure an alias domain

The alias domain is the alias of the default domain. You can use the same settings as the default domain to set the alias domain. The message for the alias domain that the SMTP service receives is placed in the drop folder specified for the default domain.

To configure an alias domain, follow these steps xx:

Start IIS Manager or open the IIS snap-in.

Expand Server_Name, where server_name is the name of the server, and then expand the SMTP virtual server that you want (for example, the default SMTP virtual server).

Right-click the field, point to New, and then click Field.

The New SMTP Domain Wizard starts.

Click the alias, and then click Next.

Type the name of the alias field in the Name box, and then click Finish.

Quit IIS Manager or close the IIS snap-in.

How to specify the Drop folder

For the default domain, you must specify a folder where all incoming messages are placed. The SMTP service places messages for the alias domain in the drop folder used by the default domain.

By default, the Drop folder is located in the Inetpub\Mailroot folder. You can designate any folder as the Drop folder, as long as it is a local folder on the computer where the SMTP service is installed, and is not specified as the Pickup folder.

To change the location of the Drop folder, follow these steps xx:

Start IIS Manager or open the IIS snap-in.

Expand Server_Name, where server_name is the name of the server, and then expand the SMTP virtual server that you want (for example, the default SMTP virtual server).

Click a field.

In the right pane, right-click the default domain, and then click Properties.

Click Browse to locate the folder that you want to use as the drop file, and then click OK.

Click OK.