XCON: Messages Are Lost When MTA Size Limit Is Exceeded

SYMPTOMS

Administrators of Microsoft Exchange Server will notice the following problem. Messages that exceed the size limit imposed on the message transfer agent (MTA) "disappear." The message clears the client's outbox and leaves the MTA work queue but is not delivered to the target recipient. No over-limit notice is returned to the sender. Message tracking does not locate the message. If a message under 5 MB is sent, the message is received normally, and message tracking locates the message. Event log shows Event ID 62, showing the message being handed back to the store.