Another scenario:
Another process is accessing the mbox file (like sendmail transfering
spam across a modem line). Cyrus IMAP fixes this by not using mbox
files, but uses separate files for each message. Solves a problem at the
expense of some features (and inodes).
--Bruce
Benjamin Scott wrote:
>
> On Tue, 2 May 2000, Paul Lussier wrote:
> > Anyone ever see problems with imapd not deleting messages from mail folders?
>
> Yes.
>
>
>
> Oh, you want the details? ;-)
>
> IMAP requires that an "expunge" command be sent to actually remove deleted
> messages; many (most?) IMAP clients make little or no mention of this by
> default. Of course, you say the messages were showing up *new and unread*,
> but maybe there is some user confusion too?
>
> Possibly more likely, if any other process have the mailbox locked, then
> IMAP will treat the folder as "read only". This is further complicated in
> that many IMAP clients appear to be making changes to the folders, when in
> fact they are silently ignoring the "read only" status and errors. In
> particular, certain versions of mail programs from a certain software monopoly
> are good at this.
>
> Now, what causes the mail folder to be open elsewhere?
>
> First, make sure they aren't doing something silly, like logging in at
> another computer and leaving the mail client open there. This is especially
> common if they are accessing their mail from home. "netstat -tup | grep imap"
> on the mail server works well for this.
>
> I think sendmail (or some other MDA) could cause a momentary error if it is
> delivering mail at the same time somebody tries to read their mail. But your
> problem sounds a little more frequent then that.
>
> Lastly, I've seen cases where the IMAP server will apparently not notice the
> user connection has terminated. It sits there in the "ESTABLISHED" state
> indefinitely, never closing the connection, or the mail folder. I haven't
> been able to determine what causes this yet, but I also haven't had much time
> to look at it.
>
> > Additionally, Netscape complains that the disk is full when trying to
> > purge the deleted mail from the folders.
>
> It might be interpreting the "read only" status of the folder incorrectly.
> See above. (I assume the disk actually does have free space on it... :)
>
> --
> Ben Scott <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
> Net Technologies, Inc. <http://www.ntisys.com>
> Voice: (800)905-3049 x18 Fax: (978)499-7839
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