Topic Last Modified: 2007-05-16

A local domain is a Domain Name System (DNS) domain that is serviced by the local SMTP virtual server. Any incoming message that has a local domain name must be delivered locally to the Drop directory for the default domain or returned to the sender with a non-delivery report (NDR). Local domains are also known as service domains or supported domains. E-mail addresses that have local domain names are known as local addresses.

A local domain is configured as either the default domain or an alias domain. The default domain name is configured when the SMTP virtual server is created. You create alias domains to provide an alternative identity for the default domain. The default domain is used to stamp message headers that do not have a domain specification. Messages that are received for an alias domain are stamped with the default domain and are put in the Drop directory. You cannot configure the properties of an alias domain. An alias domain uses the configuration of the default local domain.

You can configure the following options on the Properties page of a default local domain.

Drop directory

All incoming local messages are delivered to the Drop directory that is set for the default domain. There are no mailboxes.

Any alias domain you create uses the same Drop directory. You can designate any directory as the Drop directory, provided it is local to the drive for Windows Server 2008 SMTP Server and is not already assigned as the Pickup directory. By default, the Drop directory is a subdirectory of the Mailroot directory. To select another location, click Browse.

Enable drop directory quota

When Enable drop directory quota is selected, SMTP Server limits the size of your Drop directory to 10 times the size that is specified by the Limit message size to (KB) setting on the Messages tab.

Exceeding this quota will generate a 452 4.2.2 Mailbox Full entry in the protocol log.