Knowledge Base

PC Win: Hop Count Setting Is Not Observed by Windows Client

Article ID: 147368

Article Last Modified on 10/30/2006

Microsoft Mail Client 3.2
Microsoft Mail Client 3.5

This article was previously published under Q147368

SYMPTOMS

A message sent from the Version 3.5 Microsoft Mail for Windows Client, may result in a non-delivery message similar to the following:

From: POSTMASTER
To: < sender of message >
Subject: Mail failure
Date: Thursday, May 23, 1996 3:22PM

FROM: < sender of message >
TO: < recipient of message >
DATE: 23-05-96
TIME: 15:22

SUBJECT: < subject of message >

----------------------------------------------------------------

[003] Message hop count exceeded. Message followed the following route:
NETCAD/HBPO01
NETCAD/BUPO01
NETGRI1/RH02
NETGRI1/IH01
NETSIS/WO01
NETSIS/EUO01
NETSIS/HUB02
NETUFE/HUB01
NETUFE/HUB03
NETUDI/UDIPO1

while attempting to send to the following addresses:
<net>/<po>/<mailbox>

CAUSE

The non-delivery report is generated when the number of hops reaches ten, regardless of the hop count setting as configured in the Admin program. The Windows client does not pick up the administrator set hop count from the postoffice. The client inserts a hop count of ten in all messages.

STATUS

Microsoft has confirmed this to be a problem in version 3.05.4102 and prior versions of mssfs.dll. Contact Microsoft Product Support Services for more information on the availability of this fix.

MORE INFORMATION

An alternative to replacing the MSSFS.DLL for each client, would be to reduce the number of mail hops (routings through postoffices) to ensure that mail reaches the destination postoffice prior to 10 hops. This is the preferred solution in cases where it is feasible.

The Microsoft Mail for PC Networks Administrators Guide, Chapter 7, includes a section describing the purpose and method of setting hop count. This setting is designed to affect all client who have mailboxes on the postoffice.

The Microsoft Mail Windows Remote client will set the hopcount to ten on all messages it generates. See companion article 147471 for more information.

Additional query words: MailPCWin hopcount 4.00

Keywords: KB147368