XIMS: Unable to Reach a Particular Host Using Domain Name System (262782)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Exchange Server 4.0
  • Microsoft Exchange Server 5.0
  • Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5
This article was previously published under Q262782

SYMPTOMS

Domain Name System (DNS) or host-name resolution is failing for a particular domain.

CAUSE

It is possible that DNS is not working or that host-name resolution is failing due to a firewall or an invalid DNS entry.

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, you need to know the IP address of the remote domain's mail server. After you obtain this information, follow these steps:
  1. In the Connections tab of the Internet Mail Connector (IMS) properties, click to select Specify by E-mail Domain.
  2. Add an entry for the domain that you are having problems reaching.
  3. Click to select Forward all messages for this domain to host, and then enter the IP address of the server that you are trying to contact.

MORE INFORMATION

When this problem occurs in Microsoft Windows products, a host file can be used whereas Exchange Server tries to use DNS first. If the behavior of a host file is required for Exchange Server, then use the steps in the "Workaround" section of this article.

For additional information about how to troubleshoot mail delivery for certain domains, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

198981 XFOR: SMTP Messages Not Being Delivered to Certain Domains

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:4/25/2005
Keywords:kbprb KB262782
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