How To Turn On SMTP Protocol Logging for Internet Information Services in Windows Server 2003

This step-by-step guide describes how to turn on protocol logging for Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS). Protocol logs track the commands that the Simple Mail Transport Protocol (SMTP) virtual server receives from SMTP clients over the network. You can choose which logging format the Microsoft SMTP service uses for recording information.

Turn On Logging in ASCII Text Format

You designate the TCP port that the SMTP service uses to receive incoming messages when you identify the SMTP virtual server. When you set up a log file, remember that the log formats and default file names are the same as those used by other services in IIS. If you select the default names, all transactions for all services are recorded in the same file. To turn on logging that uses ASCII text format:

1. In Internet Information Services management console, right-click the SMTP Virtual Server, and then click Properties.
2. On the General tab, click Enable logging.
3. In the Active log format box, click a log format.
4. Click Properties, and then specify the new log time period and log file location on the General Properties tab.
   
   NOTE: If you configure the file to be in a different location from the default, make sure that the file is stored on a local drive, not on a network drive.
5. If you selected the W3C Extended Logging format, click the Extended Properties tab, and then select the items that you want to track.
   
   NOTE: Because logging is shared with other services provided by IIS, some of the extended properties are not SMTP-specific.
6. Click OK two times.

Turn On Logging in ODBC Format

To turn on logging in Open Database Connectivity (ODBC) format:

1. Set up an ODBC-compliant database.
2. In Internet Information Services management console, right-click SMTP Virtual Server, and then click Properties.
3. On the General tab, click Enable logging.
4. In the Active log format box, click ODBC Logging.
5. Click Properties, and then specify the ODBC data source name (DSN), table, user name, and password.
6. Click OK two times.