How to configure Receive Connectors in Exchange Server 2010

As we know, Receive connectors are required to receive messages from Internet, from MAPI/Non-MAPI clients, and from other mail servers. Receive connector is automatically created on Hub Transport for internal mail flow. Same way, Receive connector is automatically created on Edge Transport for receiving mails from Internet and from Hub Transport server. Manual connectors are required in other scenarios, like internet facing Hub Transport (not recommended), or unsubscribed Edge Transport server.

By default, Exchange Server 2010 creates two Receive Connectors:-

1. Client Servername

This client connector accepts SMTP connections from non-MAPI clients, such as POP/IMAP. Port 587 is the default port for receiving messages from all non-MAPI clients.

We can modify the client connector settings by following these steps:-

A. Open the Exchange Management Console.

B. Expand Server Configuration and click on Hub Transport.

C. Under Receive Connectors tab, open the Properties of Client servername.

D. Properties tab can be used to edit port number, authentication, bindings and so on.

2. Default Servername

This default connector accepts connections from other Hub Transport server and Edge Transport server. Default port is 25.

We can modify the default connector settings by following these steps:-

A. Open the Exchange Management Console.

B. Expand Server Configuration and click on Hub Transport.

C. Under Receive Connectors tab, open the Properties of Default servername.

D. Properties tab can be used to edit port number, authentication, bindings and so on.

One default Receive connector is automatically created and configured on Edge Transport server to accept SMTP connections from all IP addresses. Its usage type is Internet, and accepts anonymous connections. This default connector is capable of receiving all internet emails.