Configuring the SMTP banner in Exchange 2003/2007

To configure your banner in Microsoft Exchange 2003

1. Open command prompt and cd (change directory) to “C:\inetpubadminscripts”
2. Type the following line, and then press ENTER:
   1. cscript adsutil.vbs set smtpsvc/vsi number/connectresponse “Your Text”
   • In this line, vsinumber is the number of the SMTP virtual server, and Your Text is the text that you want to appear instead of the default response.
3. To complete this procedure, stop and restart the SMTP service
   1. Type “net stop smtpsvc” and then press ENTER.
   2. Type “net start smtpsvc” and the press ENTER.
4. Type exit, and then press ENTER.

To configure your banner in Microsoft Exchange 2007

1. Open Powershell
2. Enter the following Command:
   • Set-ReceiveConnector <ConnectorIdentity> -Banner “<220 YOUR_TEXT_HERE>”
3. Test via telnet
   • Telnet to the server via port 25, You should get a response with your modified banner.
4. Type quit to close the session.

Reference Docs:
1. Microsoft Technet: How to Modify the Default SMTP Banner (2007)
2. Microsoft KB: How to change the default connection response that you receive after you connect to the SMTP port in Exchange 2003
3. Petri: How can I change the SMTP banner seen when connecting to my Exchange server via Telnet?

Tagged as: Exchange