Configuring local domain for SMTP service in Win 2003

This article explains how to configure a local domain for SMTP service in Windows Server 2003. How to change the name of the default domain, configure the alias domain, and specify the Drop folder.

The SMTP service domain is used to organize the messages to be delivered. The SMTP virtual server has at least one domain: the default local domain.

This local area is a Domain Name System (DNS) domain served by a local SMTP server. The message containing the local domain name to the SMTP server is either locally transferred to the Drop folder or returned to the sender along with the non-deliverable (NDR) report.

How to rename a default domain

The default domain is used to stamp messages from addresses that do not contain a domain. The SMTP virtual server must have a default domain. This default domain cannot be deleted.

By default, the name specified in the Computer Name tab of the "Control Panel" system tool is used as the default domain name. You can also specify a unique name as the default domain name for the SMTP service.

To rename the default domain, follow these steps: xx:

Start Microsoft Internet Information Services (IIS) Manager or open the IIS snap-in.

Expand Server_name, where Server_name is the name of the server, and then expand the desired SMTP virtual server (for example, the default SMTP virtual server).

Click on the domain.

In the right pane, right-click the default domain and click Rename.

Type the name you want to use and press ENTER.

Exit IIS Manager or close the IIS snap-in.
How to configure an alias domain

An alias domain is an alias for the default domain. The alias domain can be set using the same settings as the default domain. The message for the alias domain received by the SMTP service is placed in the Drop folder specified for the default domain.

To configure an alias domain, follow these steps: xx:

Start IIS Manager or open the IIS snap-in.

Expand Server_name, where Server_name is the name of the server, and then expand the desired SMTP virtual server (for example, the default SMTP virtual server).

Right-click the domain, point to New, and then click Domain.

“New SMTP Domain Wizard”Start.

Click the alias and click Next.

Type the name of the alias field in the Name box and click Finish.

Exit IIS Manager or close the IIS snap-in.

How to specify a Drop folder

For the default domain, you must specify a folder to place all incoming messages. The SMTP service places the alias domain's messages in the Drop folder used by the default domain.

By default, the Drop folder is located in the Inetpub\\Mailroot folder. You can designate any folder as a Drop folder as long as it is a local folder on the computer where the SMTP service is installed and is not specified as a Pickup folder.

To change the location of the Drop folder, follow these steps: xx:

Start IIS Manager or open the IIS snap-in.

Expand Server_name, where Server_name is the name of the server, and then expand the desired SMTP virtual server (for example, the default SMTP virtual server).

Click on the domain.

In the right pane, right-click the default domain and click Properties.

Click Browse, locate the folder you want to use as the Drop file, then click OK.

Click OK.