DOCUMENT:Q166588 09-MAY-1999 [exchange] TITLE :XCON: MTA Work Queue Backlog When Restrictions Used with DL PRODUCT :Microsoft Exchange PROD/VER:5.0 OPER/SYS: KEYWORDS: ====================================================================== ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- The information in this article applies to: - Microsoft Exchange Server, version 5.0 ------------------------------------------------------------------------------- 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 : Technology : kbExchangeSearch kbExchange500 kbZNotKeyword2 Version : 5.0 Issue type : kbbug Solution Type : kbfix ============================================================================= THE INFORMATION PROVIDED IN THE MICROSOFT KNOWLEDGE BASE IS PROVIDED "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND. MICROSOFT DISCLAIMS ALL WARRANTIES, EITHER EXPRESS OR IMPLIED, INCLUDING THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY AND FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. IN NO EVENT SHALL MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES WHATSOEVER INCLUDING DIRECT, INDIRECT, INCIDENTAL, CONSEQUENTIAL, LOSS OF BUSINESS PROFITS OR SPECIAL DAMAGES, EVEN IF MICROSOFT CORPORATION OR ITS SUPPLIERS HAVE BEEN ADVISED OF THE POSSIBILITY OF SUCH DAMAGES. SOME STATES DO NOT ALLOW THE EXCLUSION OR LIMITATION OF LIABILITY FOR CONSEQUENTIAL OR INCIDENTAL DAMAGES SO THE FOREGOING LIMITATION MAY NOT APPLY. Copyright Microsoft Corporation 1999.