Whaddya know how to create a Mailing Distribution List in MS Exchange Server 2007?

Ok you're the Network Administrator in your company and they had asked you to create a Mailing Distribution List. For example a mailing list for your HelpDesk support, let's call it as HelpDesk @ King.net. Well, as Network Administrator/Email Administrator you suppose to know it. This is just another technical how to references to guide other Network or Email Administrator out there.

In this example, we are using MS Exchange Server 2007. I need to point this out because the management console is different between MS Exchange Server 2003 and 2007.

Ok, let's begin. Fire up (I mean double click on)  your Exchange Management Console.

• In Recipient Configuration, select Distribution Group.
• Right click on Distribution Group to create New Distribution Group.
• Select New Group, click Next
• Select Group Type as Distribution
• Type the Name and Alias e.g. HelpDesk, click Next to complete.
• Add the user(s) to be member of this distribution list
• Send a test message and you're done.

Well not yet! By default, MS Exchange Server 2007 policy is requiring that all senders are authenticated. In this case, when someone from outside send you a message. They will receive an email from the Postmaster regarding undeliverable due to Exchange policy.

But if you're senders are all within your organization. It is safe (highly recommended) to requires all senders are authenticated.

How do you disable "Requires that all senders are authenticated" for this specific Mailing Distribution List?

Let's go back to the Exchange Management Console, select the Distribution Group e.g. HelpDesk, click on Properties.

• In HelpDesk properties, click on Mail Flow Settings tab.
  
• Select Message Delivery Restrictions, then click Properties
• In Message Delivery Restrictions, uncheck "Requires that all senders are authenticated".
• Click OK to apply your changes.

Now test sending email to your HelpDesk distribution list from your outside email such as Gmail, MSN or Yahoo. This should work now.

SECURITY REMINDER: When you disabled "Requires that all senders are authenticated" you will receive email from outside of your company including unsolicited emails or SPAM. This is only applicable if you have a number of consultants working for your company. 

As IT Security person, I don't recommend disabling this feature. I want all exchange users to properly authenticated before they can use the service. As always, consider other best alternative.

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