Can exchange run with dns server?

15 pts.
DNS server
Exchange configuration
Microsoft Exchange 2003
Microsoft Windows Server 2003
I am brand new to exchange.
Currently right now i can recieve fine but i cannot send.
i am not sure if this makes sense.

Software/Hardware used:
Microsoft exchange

Answer Wiki



It seems to me that you can’t send email because your server can’t resolve MX records of recipients.

Without struggling too much with your intentions, needs or scenario, You might be able to route your emails if you configure a Smart Host in your exchange server.
This way your server will forward every single internal generated email to that smart host. This smart host will then “search the internet” (via DNS) for whom is responsible to receive emails for destination domain.

You can configure a smart host in:

Exchange System Manager \ Administrative Groups \ First Adm. Group \ Servers \ YOUR SERVER NAME \ Routing Groups \ Connectors \<b> Internet Mail SMTP Connector (SERVER)</b>

Right click it and choose Properties.
In General tab choose “Forward all mail through this connector to the following smart hosts” and configure the smart host you want to use.
I think your best bet for this is to ask your Internet provider which server you should use and put it here.

I hope this makes sense to you. If you need further assistance, please post back.

Discuss This Question: 2  Replies

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  • Gotrice
    Thank you for the answer. But what if my isp provide me two DNS servers? Is there a way i can input both or just use 1?
    15 pointsBadges:
  • saturno
    Hello, Please let me clarify: A Smart Host is not a DNS server. You can't put a (simple) DNS server in the smart host field. (here I'm assuming that that DNS have no SMPT service configured) A Smart Host is basically a SMTP on the internet which you can use to forward your internal email to destinations that are not managed by your server (internally). So, you might configure 2 (or more) DNS servers that your internet provider make available to you in your server's network configuration (NIC). In the Smart Host field (ESM) you should configure an SMTP server that your ISP provide you to use. Hope this makes sense. If not please post back
    4,585 pointsBadges:

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