---
title: "Testing EXM performance in emulation mode"
slug: "testing-exm-performance-in-emulation-mode"
abstract: "Test campaign throughput by emulating a message transfer agent either for a single message or for the server-level dispatch."
---
# Testing EXM performance in emulation mode

EXM enables you to test campaign throughput by emulating a message transfer agent (MTA). MTA emulation lets you mimic the round-trip time required to send an email from the Sitecore CMS to the MTA.

Emulation can be configured in two modes:

- Emulation for a single message
- Emulation for the server-level dispatch

<details>
<summary><h2>Emulation for a single message</h2></summary>

In the Content Editor, you can select this mode for a specific message on the **Content** tab, in the **Options** section.

![Content Editor Content tab Emulation check box.](https://doc.sitecore.com/api/markdown-image/xp/en/developers/exm/91/email-experience-manager/images/F7C3B3D309B94F8B95C481C8C26A35DA.png)

You can also select the emulation mode for a single message using the **Delivery Options** dialog in the EXM user interface:

![Email Experience Manager Delivery tab showing the Delivery options.](https://doc.sitecore.com/api/markdown-image/xp/en/developers/exm/91/email-experience-manager/images/6DE1D368A6D448F48544FC5E5E9C680D.png)

> [!note]
> The emulation sending mode does not move the message to the Sent state – the message status changes back to Drafts after the process has completed.
>
> The emulation sending mode is not available for message variants when you run an A/B test.

</details>

<details>
<summary><h2>Emulation for the server-level dispatch</h2></summary>

You can configure emulation for the server-level dispatch mode with the MtaEmulation.Active setting in the `Sitecore.EmailExperience.ContentManagement.config` file.

</details>