SMTP: Err Msg: Socket Error (123) When Starting Gateway (124801)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Mail Gateway to SMTP 3.x
This article was previously published under Q124801

SYMPTOMS

When you use the Microsoft 32-bit version TCP/IP for Windows for Workgroups, SMTPGATE.EXE will generate an error and the gateway will fail to operate. The user will see the following error message on the screen or in the smtpgate.log if the the -l logging parameter is used:
ERROR socket: (123) network error
SMTP_listen: system error

CAUSE

This error message is generated because the SMTPGATE.EXE program works with the LAN Manager API called sockets.exe. It does not work with Winsock APIs. The SMTP Gateway was developed before Windows for Workgroups and the WFW 32- bit version of TCP/IP.

RESOLUTION

To work around this issue, use the 16-bit version of TCP/IP and load SOCKETS.EXE before starting the gateway. The 16 bit version of TCP/IP can be found on any of our electronic services as the self-extracting file wfwtcp.exe. See 96244 and 105288 for related information.
Modification Type:MajorLast Reviewed:10/30/1999
Keywords:KB124801
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