Configuring outbound Internet mail to use RFC 822 phrase-part address format

RFC 821 defines the standard convention for naming mailbox addresses as "user@domain" or more broadly, "Localpart@Domainpart". This format has come to be known as RFC 821-style addressing. Subsequently, RFC 822 specified a format for a more human-readable Internet address, which adds a phrase part, also known as a friendly name or display name, before the actual address. Phrase-style addresses use the form "Phrase" <localpart@domainpart>; an optional display name indicates the name of the recipient for display to the user of a mail application, for example, "John Jones" <JJones@renovations.com>.

You can have IBM® Domino® add a phrase to the sender's address on outbound SMTP mail and specify the name component to use as the address phrase. By default, addresses do not include phrases. If you choose not to support phrase-style addresses, you can specify that Domino remove any user-added phrases in the recipient fields of outbound messages.

You configure this address format using the RFC822 phrase handling field in the Configuration Settings document, under the MIME > Advanced > Advanced Outbound Message Options tab.

The Router adds phrases to Internet addresses both when taking the address from a Person document in the Domino Directory and when constructing the address from rules in the Global domain document.

This setting applies to messages sent over SMTP to another host or exported to the IMAP or POP3 service. It does not apply to messages delivered to mail files on the server or messages transferred over IBM Notes® routing.

The options for this field are as follows:

  • Do not add phrase -- (Default setting) Outbound mail displays the sending user's RFC 821 address. The Router permits user-defined phrases in recipient addresses.
  • Use DN as phrase -- Constructs an RFC 822-style address using a phrase part derived from the person's hierarchical, distinguished name; for example, John Jones/Sales/RENOVATIONS <JJones@renovations.com>. The Router permits user-defined phrases in recipient addresses.
  • Use alt. name if available - otherwise DN -- If an Alternate name is specified in the user's Person document, constructs an RFC 822-style address using it as the phrase part; otherwise uses the hierarchical, distinguished name; for example, "John Jones/Sales/RENOVATIONS" <JJones@renovations.com>. The Router permits user-defined phrases in recipient addresses.
  • Remove Phrase - The Router strips user-defined phrases in recipient addresses. Only RFC 821-style addresses are allowed.
  • Use CN as phrase -- Constructs an RFC 822-style address using a phrase part derived from the person's common name; for example, John Jones <JJones@renovations.com>. The Router permits user-defined phrases in recipient addresses.