Active Directory Replication by Means of Simple Mail Transfer Protocol May Be Unsuccessful (284442)


The information in this article applies to:

  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Server
  • Microsoft Windows 2000 Advanced Server
This article was previously published under Q284442

SYMPTOMS

When Active Directory uses Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) for inter-site replication, and Microsoft Exchange Server 5.5 with the Internet Mail Connector is installed on one of the domain controllers that is replicating by means of SMTP, the replication is unsuccessful and an error may be logged in the System event log:
Event Type: Warning
Event Source: smtpsvc
Event Category: None
Event ID: 4001
Date: 1/5/2001
Time: 9:35:51 AM
User: N/A
Computer: Server
Description: Message delivery to the remote domain 'domain name' failed.
The error message is 'SMTP protocol.' The SMTP verb which caused the error is 'MAIL.' The response from the remote server is 553 malformed address _IsmService@a193325d-6620-40ee-9a64-4c123d1c0e7a._msdcs.domain.com.

CAUSE

This problem can occur because both the SMTP service (that Active Directory is using for replication) and the Internet Mail Connector are attempting to use Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) port 25 at the same time, which causes a conflict.

RESOLUTION

To resolve this problem, change the port that the SMTP virtual server uses on all of the Windows 2000 domain controllers that replicate by means of SMTP:
  1. Open the Internet Services Manager: Click Start, point to Programs, and then click Internet Services Manager.
  2. Right-click SMTP Virtual Server, and then click Properties.
  3. On the General tab, click Advanced, and then change the port from 25 to any unused port, such as, 2525.
  4. On the General tab, click Connection, and then change the outgoing TCP port from 25 to the same port that you used in the preceding step 3.
NOTE: These steps must be performed on all domain controllers that replicate by means of SMTP.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed that this is a problem in Windows 2000 with Exchange 5.5 and the Internet Mail Connector installed.
Modification Type:MinorLast Reviewed:1/27/2006
Keywords:kbActiveDirectoryRepl kbprb KB284442
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