Change an SMTP banner in the mail server’s own configuration: use Set-ReceiveConnector for Exchange, smtpd_banner in Postfix’s main.cf, or smtp_banner in Exim’s main configuration. The key difference is that Exchange’s replacement value must start with 220, Postfix supplies the status code before its setting, and Exim adds 220 automatically.
What the SMTP banner does
The SMTP banner is the server’s first response after a client opens a TCP connection. RFC 5321 says the receiver normally responds with 220 Service ready; the greeting normally begins with the server’s fully qualified domain name after that code. Mail systems see this greeting, so choose a public name deliberately rather than unintentionally exposing an internal server name or software version.
Choose the setting for your mail server
| Server | Where to change it | Who supplies 220? | Hostname and multiline notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| Exchange | Receive Connector, using Set-ReceiveConnector |
You must include 220 at the start of -Banner. |
Set the public name or other intended text. Multiline behavior is not stated in the Microsoft guidance cited here. |
| Postfix | main.cf, using smtpd_banner |
Postfix supplies the status code; the setting is the text following it. | $myhostname must be the first text in the value. Multiline behavior is not stated in the Postfix guidance cited here. |
| Exim | Exim main configuration, using smtp_banner |
Exim adds 220 automatically; do not put it in the option. |
The default includes the active hostname, Exim, version and time. Use \n between lines for a multiline greeting, but not at the end. |
Change the banner in Exchange
In the Exchange Management Shell, replace the connector identity with the receive connector you intend to change. The value must begin with 220.
Set-ReceiveConnector -Identity "Default Frontend Mailbox01" -Banner "220 mail.example.com"To restore the default banner for that connector, set the value to $null:
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Change the banner in Postfix
Set smtpd_banner in Postfix’s main.cf. The documented default is $myhostname ESMTP $mail_name; Postfix requires $myhostname at the start of the text.
smtpd_banner = $myhostname ESMTP $mail_nameEdit the value to the greeting you want while retaining $myhostname first. Validate the resulting Postfix configuration, then reload the service so new SMTP processes use the change. The banner text follows the 220 status code; do not add that code to the setting.
Change the banner in Exim
Set smtp_banner in Exim’s main configuration. Its documented default is $smtp_active_hostname ESMTP Exim $version_number $tod_full. Exim expands the string each time it is used and adds the 220 response code itself.
smtp_banner = $smtp_active_hostname ESMTPChoose the text appropriate for your installation; the example above omits the version and time fields present in the documented default. To make a greeting span multiple lines, put \n between the lines, not after the final line. Apply configuration changes using your Exim service’s normal reload procedure.
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Verify the live SMTP greeting
- From a network location permitted to connect, connect to the actual hostname and port used by the listener. Inspect the first response line.
- Confirm that the line begins with
220and contains the intended public name. Check that an internal hostname or software version is not exposed unless you chose to disclose it. - Send
EHLOand confirm the server returns its normal250capability response. RFC 5321 specifies that a client normally sends EHLO after the greeting and must send HELO or EHLO before a mail transaction. - For Exchange, Microsoft’s Telnet verification method applies only to connectors that allow anonymous or Basic authentication. If that test cannot connect, verify using an authorized connection method appropriate to the connector’s authentication settings.
Common mistakes to avoid
- Using the wrong 220 convention: include it in Exchange’s
-Bannervalue, but do not include it in Postfix’ssmtpd_banneror Exim’ssmtp_banner. - Removing Postfix’s required hostname:
$myhostnamemust remain at the beginning of the Postfix banner text. - Assuming a file edit proves the change: inspect the greeting on the live listener after applying the service-specific change.
- Putting a final newline escape in Exim: Exim permits
\nbetween greeting lines, not at the end.
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