HOW TO: Configure Microsoft SMTP Service Local Domains in Windows Server 2003

This step-by-step guide describes how to configure local domains for the SMTP Service in Windows Server 2003. This article describes how to change the name of the default domain, configure an alias domain, and designate a Drop folder.

SMTP Service domains are used to organize messages for delivery. The SMTP virtual server has at least one domain: the default local domain.

A local domain is a Domain Name System (DNS) domain that is serviced by the local SMTP server. Messages with a local domain name that arrive at a SMTP server are either delivered locally to a Drop folder or returned to the sender with a non-delivery (NDR) report.

How to Rename the Default Domain

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

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

To rename the default domain, follow these steps:

1. Start Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager or open the IIS snap-in.
2. Expand Server_name, where Server_name is the name of the server, and then expand the SMTP virtual server that you want (for example, Default SMTP Virtual Server).
3. Click Domains.
4. In the right-pane, right-click the default domain, and then click Rename.
5. Type the name that you want, and then press ENTER.
6. Quit IIS Manager or close the IIS snap-in.

How to Configure an Alias Domain

An alias domain is an alias of the default domain. You can set up alias domains that use the same settings as the default domain. Messages that are received by the SMTP Service for an alias domain are placed in the Drop folder that is designated for the default domain.

To configure an alias domain, follow these steps:

1. Start IIS Manager or open the IIS snap-in.
2. Expand Server_name, where Server_name is the name of the server, and then expand the SMTP virtual server that you want (for example, Default SMTP Virtual Server).
3. Right-click Domains, point to New, and then click Domain.
   
   The New SMTP Domain Wizard starts.
4. Click Alias, and then click Next.
5. Type a name for the alias domain in the Name box, and then click Finish.
6. Quit IIS Manager or close the IIS snap-in.

How to Designate a Drop Folder

For the default domain, you must identify a folder in which to drop all incoming messages. The SMTP Service places messages for alias domains in the Drop folder that is used for 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 the folder is local to the computer on which the SMTP Service is installed, and is not already assigned as the Pickup folder.

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

1. Start IIS Manager or open the IIS snap-in.
2. Expand Server_name, where Server_name is the name of the server, and then expand the SMTP virtual server that you want (for example, Default SMTP Virtual Server).
3. Click Domains.
4. In the right pane, right-click the default domain, and then click Properties.
5. Click Browse, locate and click the folder that you want use as the Drop folder, and then click OK.
6. Click OK.
7. Quit IIS Manager or close the IIS snap-in.

For additional information about how to configure a remote SMTP mail relay server, click the following article number to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base: