We are running a very basic Exchange (newly updated from 2003 to 2007 w/srv pk1). Only one DC (Windows 2003), and a Linksys (RV042) Router. The mail flow in and out seems to be fine but there is a lot of mail that is consistently in the queue that constantly says retry and ready. The number of mail items change and range from 300 to 900 at any given time. Is this normal for Exchange 2007? Is there anything that I should be concerned about? The only articles that I can find are related to mail not working and as I said, ours SEEM to be working. Thanks for any advise.

Hi, Can you please check let us know in which queue (if single queue) the mails stuck most of the time? it may be a network or performance related issue. This behavior of exchange is not normal. Thanks Vishal Ramnani | MCITP - Exchange 2007 | MCSE Messaging | MCTS - Win 2008 Config

Run below cmdlet and post theresulthere to see any lasterror coming up for the queue... Get-Queue | FLAmit Tank | MVP Exchange Server | MCITP: EMA | MCSA: M | http://ExchangeShare.WordPress.com

Identity : usi-exchange\21312DeliveryType : DnsConnectorDeliveryNextHopDomain : newlyconstructed.netNextHopConnector : c92c7c7b-ca39-425d-ba38-1d1ec0c279f3Status : RetryMessageCount : 1LastError : 451 4.4.0 Primary target IP address responded with: "421 4.2 .1 Unable to connect." Attempted failover to alternate host, but that did not succeed. Either there are no alternate hos ts, or delivery failed to all alternate hosts.LastRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:10:47 AMNextRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:20:48 AMIsValid : TrueObjectState : Unchanged Identity : usi-exchange\21319DeliveryType : DnsConnectorDeliveryNextHopDomain : h-c.esNextHopConnector : c92c7c7b-ca39-425d-ba38-1d1ec0c279f3Status : RetryMessageCount : 1LastError : 451 4.4.0 DNS query failedLastRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:02:32 AMNextRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:12:32 AMIsValid : TrueObjectState : Unchanged Identity : usi-exchange\21331DeliveryType : DnsConnectorDeliveryNextHopDomain : budgetseafoods.comNextHopConnector : c92c7c7b-ca39-425d-ba38-1d1ec0c279f3Status : RetryMessageCount : 1LastError : 451 4.4.0 Primary target IP address responded with: "421 4.2 .1 Unable to connect." Attempted failover to alternate host, but that did not succeed. Either there are no alternate hos ts, or delivery failed to all alternate hosts.LastRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:03:46 AMNextRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:14:07 AMIsValid : TrueObjectState : Unchanged Identity : usi-exchange\21355DeliveryType : DnsConnectorDeliveryNextHopDomain : laconicart.comNextHopConnector : c92c7c7b-ca39-425d-ba38-1d1ec0c279f3Status : ActiveMessageCount : 1LastError :LastRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:10:59 AMNextRetryTime :IsValid : TrueObjectState : Unchanged Identity : usi-exchange\21360DeliveryType : DnsConnectorDeliveryNextHopDomain : 62-90-76-223.barak.net.ilNextHopConnector : c92c7c7b-ca39-425d-ba38-1d1ec0c279f3Status : RetryMessageCount : 1LastError : 451 4.4.0 Primary target IP address responded with: "421 4.2 .1 Unable to connect." Attempted failover to alternate host, but that did not succeed. Either there are no alternate hos ts, or delivery failed to all alternate hosts.LastRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:10:23 AMNextRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:20:42 AMIsValid : TrueObjectState : Unchanged Identity : usi-exchange\21364DeliveryType : DnsConnectorDeliveryNextHopDomain : regencypharmacy.comNextHopConnector : c92c7c7b-ca39-425d-ba38-1d1ec0c279f3Status : RetryMessageCount : 1LastError : 451 4.4.0 Primary target IP address responded with: "421 4.2 .1 Unable to connect." Attempted failover to alternate host, but that did not succeed. Either there are no alternate hos ts, or delivery failed to all alternate hosts.LastRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:03:02 AMNextRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:13:23 AMIsValid : TrueObjectState : Unchanged Identity : usi-exchange\21389DeliveryType : DnsConnectorDeliveryNextHopDomain : mailreader.comNextHopConnector : c92c7c7b-ca39-425d-ba38-1d1ec0c279f3Status : RetryMessageCount : 1LastError : 451 4.4.0 Primary target IP address responded with: "421 4.2 .1 Unable to connect." Attempted failover to alternate host, but that did not succeed. Either there are no alternate hos ts, or delivery failed to all alternate hosts.LastRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:08:25 AMNextRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:18:27 AMIsValid : TrueObjectState : Unchanged Identity : usi-exchange\21411DeliveryType : DnsConnectorDeliveryNextHopDomain : mortgagefestival.comNextHopConnector : c92c7c7b-ca39-425d-ba38-1d1ec0c279f3Status : RetryMessageCount : 1LastError : 451 4.4.0 Primary target IP address responded with: "421 4.2 .1 Unable to connect." Attempted failover to alternate host, but that did not succeed. Either there are no alternate hos ts, or delivery failed to all alternate hosts.LastRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:10:24 AMNextRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:21:06 AMIsValid : TrueObjectState : Unchanged Identity : usi-exchange\21442DeliveryType : DnsConnectorDeliveryNextHopDomain : yamahaofgastonia.comNextHopConnector : c92c7c7b-ca39-425d-ba38-1d1ec0c279f3Status : ActiveMessageCount : 1LastError :LastRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:03:58 AMNextRetryTime :IsValid : TrueObjectState : Unchanged Identity : usi-exchange\21451DeliveryType : DnsConnectorDeliveryNextHopDomain : aktief.myweb.nlNextHopConnector : c92c7c7b-ca39-425d-ba38-1d1ec0c279f3Status : RetryMessageCount : 1LastError : 451 4.4.0 DNS query failedLastRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:08:30 AMNextRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:13:30 AMIsValid : TrueObjectState : Unchanged Identity : usi-exchange\21489DeliveryType : MapiDeliveryNextHopDomain : usi-exchange.universi.localNextHopConnector : 00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000Status : ReadyMessageCount : 0LastError :LastRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:08:41 AMNextRetryTime :IsValid : TrueObjectState : Unchanged Identity : usi-exchange\21492DeliveryType : DnsConnectorDeliveryNextHopDomain : u.lst.seNextHopConnector : c92c7c7b-ca39-425d-ba38-1d1ec0c279f3Status : ReadyMessageCount : 1LastError :LastRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:11:00 AMNextRetryTime :IsValid : TrueObjectState : Unchanged Identity : usi-exchange\21494DeliveryType : DnsConnectorDeliveryNextHopDomain : xp-specialNextHopConnector : c92c7c7b-ca39-425d-ba38-1d1ec0c279f3Status : RetryMessageCount : 1LastError : 451 4.4.0 DNS query failedLastRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:07:02 AMNextRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:12:02 AMIsValid : TrueObjectState : Unchanged Identity : usi-exchange\21495DeliveryType : DnsConnectorDeliveryNextHopDomain : p1007-ipbf209yosida.nagano.ocn.ne.jpNextHopConnector : c92c7c7b-ca39-425d-ba38-1d1ec0c279f3Status : RetryMessageCount : 1LastError : 451 4.4.0 Primary target IP address responded with: "421 4.2 .1 Unable to connect." Attempted failover to alternate host, but that did not succeed. Either there are no alternate hos ts, or delivery failed to all alternate hosts.LastRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:10:03 AMNextRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:15:24 AMIsValid : TrueObjectState : Unchanged Identity : usi-exchange\21501DeliveryType : DnsConnectorDeliveryNextHopDomain : rocketmail.comNextHopConnector : c92c7c7b-ca39-425d-ba38-1d1ec0c279f3Status : ReadyMessageCount : 0LastError :LastRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:10:30 AMNextRetryTime :IsValid : TrueObjectState : Unchanged Identity : usi-exchange\21508DeliveryType : DnsConnectorDeliveryNextHopDomain : stel.sebastopol.uaNextHopConnector : c92c7c7b-ca39-425d-ba38-1d1ec0c279f3Status : ReadyMessageCount : 0LastError :LastRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:08:41 AMNextRetryTime :IsValid : TrueObjectState : Unchanged Identity : usi-exchange\21509DeliveryType : DnsConnectorDeliveryNextHopDomain : tsbot.comNextHopConnector : c92c7c7b-ca39-425d-ba38-1d1ec0c279f3Status : ActiveMessageCount : 1LastError :LastRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:09:15 AMNextRetryTime :IsValid : TrueObjectState : Unchanged Identity : usi-exchange\21510DeliveryType : DnsConnectorDeliveryNextHopDomain : vietnamscholarship.orgNextHopConnector : c92c7c7b-ca39-425d-ba38-1d1ec0c279f3Status : ReadyMessageCount : 0LastError :LastRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:09:29 AMNextRetryTime :IsValid : TrueObjectState : Unchanged Identity : usi-exchange\21511DeliveryType : DnsConnectorDeliveryNextHopDomain : freshdrop.netNextHopConnector : c92c7c7b-ca39-425d-ba38-1d1ec0c279f3Status : ReadyMessageCount : 0LastError :LastRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:09:31 AMNextRetryTime :IsValid : TrueObjectState : Unchanged Identity : usi-exchange\21512DeliveryType : DnsConnectorDeliveryNextHopDomain : haaland-as.noNextHopConnector : c92c7c7b-ca39-425d-ba38-1d1ec0c279f3Status : ReadyMessageCount : 0LastError :LastRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:09:49 AMNextRetryTime :IsValid : TrueObjectState : Unchanged Identity : usi-exchange\21513DeliveryType : DnsConnectorDeliveryNextHopDomain : stomach.comNextHopConnector : c92c7c7b-ca39-425d-ba38-1d1ec0c279f3Status : ReadyMessageCount : 0LastError :LastRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:10:22 AMNextRetryTime :IsValid : TrueObjectState : Unchanged Identity : usi-exchange\21514DeliveryType : DnsConnectorDeliveryNextHopDomain : banfructose.comNextHopConnector : c92c7c7b-ca39-425d-ba38-1d1ec0c279f3Status : ReadyMessageCount : 0LastError :LastRetryTime : 8/21/2009 7:10:26 AMNextRetryTime :IsValid : TrueObjectState : Unchanged Identity : usi-exchange\SubmissionDeliveryType : UndefinedNextHopDomain : SubmissionNextHopConnector : 00000000-0000-0000-0000-000000000000Status : ReadyMessageCount : 0LastError :LastRetryTime :NextRetryTime :IsValid : TrueObjectState : Unchanged

Though these are not many but i think this looks like a DNS issue as you said that at any given time you see 300 - 900 queued mails. i would suggest to check your DNS configuration on HUB transport server. Hub Transport Server Properties > External DNS Lookups Tab (RTM) http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb691021.aspx Thanks. Vishal Ramnani | MCITP - Exchange 2007 | MCSE Messaging | MCTS - Win 2008 Config

I checked this out and it shows 'Use network card DNS settings' (All available IPv4 addresses). This is the same setting that I see at (a friend if mine) a different agency. They do not have this issue.

Have flushed the DNS cache? ( ipconfig/flushdns)Is the referenced DNS server valid?Latest Rollups applied for SP1?Is the O/S Windows 2003 or 2008? If 2008 (sounds as if it is), try disabling IPV6: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/network/cc987595.aspxRun the mail flow troubleshooter in the toolbox as well.

In Addition to Andy, Also try to find the MX Records for those domains where status is retry. Type the following at cmd NSLookup set type=mx domain.com (retry on queue) see whether you get the a valid MX records for that domain and check if are able to telnet that one on 25 port. You can also check few websites to resolve that domain's MX Records e.g. http://network-tools.com/nslook/ if you are not able to telnet to them then probably you can check the logs on HUB transport server or try sending a SMTP message from command line from your HUB transport server and get the SMTP response code or error messageand troubleshoot accordingly. I hope this information helps. Thanks. Vishal Ramnani | MCITP - Exchange 2007 | MCSE Messaging | MCTS - Win 2008 Config

I would ask you to run below tool in order to make sure you have not missed any config in terms of DNS Microsoft Exchange Troubleshooting Assistant v1.1 http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?familyid=4bdc1d6b-de34-4f1c-aeba-fed1256caf9a&displaylang=en http://msexchangeteam.com/archive/2006/08/07/428616.aspx Vinod |CCNA|MCSE 2003 +Messaging|MCTS|ITIL V3|

Here is part of the results.............

Sorry, I can't seem to copy the screen shot

bizzie, i guess your server is trying to deliver NDRs to spammers that try every possible combination in email address.Can you please check if the messages are NDR? (in the queue viewer)if so configure your serverto refuse recipients that are not in the directory (in the antispam tab, under recipient filter.)HTHDiego Castelli

THAT DID IT!! The list is getting smaller as the systems refreshes!!! THANKS

Glad to hear this! :-)Diego Castelli