Step 11 - Add an SMTP Queue Growth Monitoring Alert

Last published : Apr 17, 2026
This setting allows an Exchange Administrator to easily monitor their journaling queue. When the queue becomes too large or if the queue stops journaling then after a set time the Administrator is notified.
Note: Some message queuing on the server is normal. If unusual queuing patterns occur or large amounts of email queue up, journaling may fail.
To add an SMTP Queue Growth Monitoring Alert
  1. Select Start > Programs > Microsoft Exchange > System Manager.
  2. Expand the Serversitem in the left navigation pane. Right-click the server you want to monitor, and selectProperties from the drop-down menu.
  3. Within the Monitoring tab, click Add.
  4. In the Add Resource dialog box, select SMTP queue growthfrom the list and clickOK.
  5. In the SMTP Queue Thresholds dialog box, select the Critical state (minutes)and enter time you want to allow the queue to build up before you are alerted. We recommend 180 minutes. ClickOK.
  6. In the Exchange System Manager, go to Tools > Monitoring and Status. Then right-clickNotifications, selectNew, and then selectEmail notification.
  7. Enter the following details into the Properties window:
    • Enter Name of your Server into the Monitoring server field.
    • Select This serverfrom theServer and Connectors to monitor drop-down menu
    • Select Critical statefrom theNotify when monitored items are in drop-down menu.
    • In the To field, enter the email address(es) the notifications are sent.
    • In the Email server field, enter the name of your sending server.
    • Click OK.
      Note: Your Journaling setup is now complete. If you encounter any problems with the journaling process, refer to the troubleshooting tips. If journaling stops for an extended period of time, we cannot recover lost email. SeeJournaling troubleshooting.
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