XFOR: Clarification of the IMC Maximum Message Size (146264)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Exchange Server 4.0
This article was previously published under Q146264

SUMMARY

The Administrator of Microsoft Exchange Server version 4.0 can configure the maximum size of a message for transport through the Internet Mail Connector (IMC) in the General Properties page. The message size an IMC can transfer is the maximum message size, plus 1,023 bytes. This is by design.

MORE INFORMATION

For example, if you set the maximum message size to 50KB and the actual message exceeds it by 2,000 bytes, the following Non-Delivery message appears:
The content length of the message is too long for the recipient to take delivery.

<Server name> 3903 Message exceeds size limit, choose Maximum to restrict the message size and set the value to 50K.
The IMC can transfer a message that is 50 KB plus 1,023 bytes in size.

The maximum message size configuration is useful when you do not want users to send messages with large attachments, which may affect performance. The maximum size value ranges from 1 to 2,097,151 KB. This setting applies to both inbound and outbound messages. If the IMC is used as a site connector, do not restrict the message size. This allows system messages used for directory replication and information store updates to pass through the IMC.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:4/21/2005
Keywords:kbusage KB146264
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