exim has a lot of stuff like
helo_strict_syntax option
Option: helo_strict_syntax
Type: boolean
Default: false
Because so many systems have been found to use underscores in the names
they send in the SMTP HELO command, Exim by default permits them, though
it is not in fact legal to use underscores in domain names.
when, in fact, rfc2181, makes quite clear that there is no restriction on
the characters used in domain names.
randy