I have a 2-server Exchange 2003 Organization. There is one Default SMTP Virtual Server on each server. There is only one SMTP connector we created under First Routing Group-Connectors and only one of the servers is listed as the Bridgehead in this SMTP connector. The server we are listing there is the one with an FQDN of mail.mycompany.com. My question is if I can use the same FQDN name on the second server Default SMTP Virtual Server settings and put this server as a second bridgehead. Can this be done without any problems?

Yes no issues, it was a potential problem prior to Exchange 2003 if you even modified the FQDN on the SMTP VS as well as not having unique FQDNs. This is no longer the case as routing is done by the IP of the SMTP VS instead of relying on DNS to query the SMTP VS FQDN.James Chong MCITP | EA | EMA; MCSE | M+, S+ Security+, Project+, ITIL msexchangetips.blogspot.com

I see. Thank you very much for the fast response. What about DNS? I thought it will have an issue if DNS is engaged in a query. Will there be a requirement though? meaning, for what I want to do (and you've confirmed that it is indeed possible), will I have to have the SMTP VS set with the IP address as opposed to having the IP address of the SMTP VS set to "All Unassigned"?

It is perfectly safe on Gateway SMTP Virtual servers even if it falls back to DNS. For internal routing, it will use DNS to uniquely identify the SMTP server. Since both S are set to all unassinged it doesn't matter both SMTP VS are eligible to receive the traffic. Again for internet facing Gateway SMTP VS servers it's pretty much safe period, now if you're modifying non internet facing SMTP VS and it falls back to DNS you can potential having routing issues.James Chong MCITP | EA | EMA; MCSE | M+, S+ Security+, Project+, ITIL msexchangetips.blogspot.com

These 2 servers I have are just the only 2 servers in the network. I guess we can call them internet facing gateways right? especially because we are not using front end boxes, right? And why is it so key for non-internet facing SMTP VS to be carefull when modifying the FQDNs?