XCON: MTA Work Queue Backlog When Restrictions Are Used with Distribution List

SYMPTOMS

A backlog in the Microsoft Exchange Server Message Transfer Agent (MTA) may occur during delivery of specific types of messages. To observe this backlog, use the Windows NT Performance Monitor to view the MSExchangeMTA counter for Work Queue Length. This counter may exceed 3,000 and remain there for a long period of time. This backlog is most likely to occur when there are delivery restrictions and distribution lists associated with the message.

CAUSE

Large distribution lists and the existence of delivery restrictions can cause the MTA to enter into CPU and I/O intensive computations.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in Microsoft Exchange Server version 5.0. This problem has been corrected in the latest U.S. Service Pack for Microsoft Exchange Server version 5.0. For information on obtaining the Service Pack, query on the following word in the Microsoft Knowledge Base (without the spaces):

S E R V P A C K

Additional query words: ITG

Keywords          : kbbug5.00 kbfix5.00.sp2 XCON 
Version           : 5.0
Platform          : winnt 
Issue type        : kbbug 

Last Reviewed: May 7, 1999