An Inbox rule may cause the mailbox to expand even if a send limit has been assigned (278427)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Standard Edition
  • Microsoft Exchange Server 2003 Enterprise Edition
  • Microsoft Exchange 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Exchange 2000 Enterprise Server
  • Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5 SP3
  • Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5 SP4
This article was previously published under Q278427

SYMPTOMS

When you create an Inbox rule that automatically forwards all mail to an external recipient, a loop may occur that causes a mailbox on the server to expand until the server stops. This issue may occur even if there is a send limit on the mailbox.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this issue, modify the registry in Exchange Server to force Inbox rules to be checked against the mailbox size limits that are placed at the Information Store:
  1. Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).
  2. Locate and click the following registry key:

    HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Services\MSExchangeIS\ParametersPrivate

  3. Add the following value:

    Value Name: Apply Mailbox Quota to Rules
    Data Type: Reg_DWORD

If this value is not set to 0, messages that are sent according to rules still have the mailbox quota option selected. If the value is not present or is set to 0 (this is the default setting in Exchange Server 5.5 Service Pack 3 [SP3]), messages that are sent according to rules are not affected by the mailbox quota for sending messages.

For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

169704 XADM: Quota Ignored When Rule-Originated Message is Sent

WORKAROUND

To work around this issue, add a send and receive limit on the mailbox:
  1. Start the Exchange Administrator program.
  2. Click the Recipients container for the mailbox.
  3. Click Properties, and then click the Limits tab.
  4. Click to clear the Use Information Store Defaults.
  5. Add an entry in the Prohibit Send and Receive Limit box.

MORE INFORMATION

The following scenario is an example of this behavior:
  • someone@microsoft.com creates an Inbox rule to forward all mail to someone@expedia.com.
  • A message is sent to someone@microsoft.com.
  • This message is automatically forwarded to the external address.
  • If the recipient of the rule is invalid or if it is over the mailbox limit on the expedia.com domain, then the message generates a non- delivery report (NDR) or an "Invalid E-mail" response.
  • This status response is immediately sent back to someone@microsoft.com and the loop is created.

For additional information, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

217139 XADM: Meeting Requests Are Not Delivered if Recipient's Mailbox Has Exceeded the Storage Limit and Has a Delegate Defined

Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:4/25/2005
Keywords:kbprb KB278427
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