How long should messages sit in queue?

bburgbcross · 17 Jun 2011, 06:26 AM

On an email relay server, how long should a message sit while trying to deliver to the destination MTA? I've seen everything from 2 hours to 72 hours suggested. Should you send a delay notice back to the sender after X hours, then fail and bounce it after Y hours?

This seems common but would most users be satisfied just waiting when they get the delayed notice? Won't they just try to resend at that point. Should you just bounce the message sooner instead of sending a delay notice and keeping it in queue?

Same question for an email gate (receiving) server. If you receive a message but are unable to deliver to the destination for some reason, how long should you attempt before bouncing. Should you send a delay notice?

17 Jun 2011, 06:26 AM	#1
bburgbcross Junior Member Join Date: Jun 2011 Posts: 1	How long should messages sit in queue? On an email relay server, how long should a message sit while trying to deliver to the destination MTA? I've seen everything from 2 hours to 72 hours suggested. Should you send a delay notice back to the sender after X hours, then fail and bounce it after Y hours? This seems common but would most users be satisfied just waiting when they get the delayed notice? Won't they just try to resend at that point. Should you just bounce the message sooner instead of sending a delay notice and keeping it in queue? Same question for an email gate (receiving) server. If you receive a message but are unable to deliver to the destination for some reason, how long should you attempt before bouncing. Should you send a delay notice?