Start/notes.ini Parameters/Router_MaxTransfer_Attempts

Router_MaxTransfer_Attempts

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Parameter: Router_MaxTransfer_Attempts
Short description: Maximum number of router delivery attempts before a message is marked as permanently undeliverable and returned via NDR.

Profile

Parameter
Router_MaxTransfer_Attempts
Category
Mail / Router
Component
Server
Available since
10.0
Supported versions
10.0, 11.0, 12.0, 14.0, 14.5, 14.5.1
GUI equivalent
Configuration document (Router/SMTP → Restrictions and Controls → Transfer Controls)
Possible values
Integer (default 25; typically 5–50)

Description

When the router cannot deliver a mail (receiving server unreachable, DNS error, greylisting), it returns the message to mail.box and retries after a wait cycle. Router_MaxTransfer_Attempts defines after how many attempts it gives up and generates an NDR (Non-Delivery Report).
Lower values = faster feedback to the sender; higher values = more tolerance for temporary issues.

Example configuration

Router_MaxTransfer_Attempts=10

Notes & pitfalls

  • Control the wait time between attempts via Initial Transfer Retry Interval.
  • Pairs with Router_MailHoldOnFailure, Router_DSN_Delay_Threshold.
  • For SMTP hubs facing the internet, higher values (>20) make sense – external recipients are often briefly unreachable.
  • For internal hops with stable connections, lower values (5–10) are sufficient.
  • The change takes effect after a router restart or via tell router quit / load router.