XFOR: How to Get the IMC to Use an Internet Provider

• Microsoft Exchange Server, version 4.0

SUMMARY

The Microsoft Exchange Server version 4.0 Internet Mail Connector (IMC) cannot dial-up and send or receive mail itself. The IMC expects to be able to connect to other SMTP hosts already available. However, there is a way to accomplish the same thing using the AT command in Windows NT.

MORE INFORMATION

You will need to make arrangements with the Internet Provider to hold mail delivery until pre-defined times. At these pre- defined times, you will want to have a batch file that is called by the AT command that initiates a RAS session using RASDIAL, and then starts the IMC. Because the IMC can accept multiple simultaneous connections, it can send mail and receive mail from the Internet Provider at the same time. Lastly, you would also want to have a batch file scheduled to stop the IMC and disconnect the RAS session.

The following are some sample batch files:

IMCSTART.BAT

rasdial <name of Internet Provider's phone book entry> net start msexchangeimc

IMCSTOP.BAT

net stop msexchangeimc rasdial /disconnect