XFOR: Messages to Mac Users Not Processed in FIFO Order (137998)



The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Exchange Server 4.0

This article was previously published under Q137998

SYMPTOMS

Messages sent from a Microsoft Exchange Server to a Microsoft Mail for AppleTalk Networks server via the MS Mail Connector (AppleTalk) MTA are not always processed in first-in, first-out (FIFO) order.

CAUSE

This is by product design.

MORE INFORMATION

If gateway traffic is high and the Macintosh blocking factor (the number of messages processed by the Macintosh component each cycle) is set to a low value, the Exchange Server can backfill the gateway queue while the Macintosh gateway component processes the first group of incoming messages. Messages then placed in the queue by the Exchange Server can be processed ahead of messages handled during the previous cycle. This behavior can continue until the backfilling ceases.

Administrators can reduce this behavior by running the Macintosh Mail client against the gateway Macintosh server as Network Manager and raise the blocking factor on Mail menu, by choosing Gateway, Configuration.

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:4/28/2005
Keywords:kbinterop KB137998