>
> Do you only have one box to handle everything (pop, smtp, web inteface,
> SQL)?
POP, SMTP and Web are on one box (IMail), SQL and DNS Pri and Sec are on
their own, respective machines, a "process" machine runs the automated
scripts for cleanup, etc. Our main Web Server hosts the Mail Ops site and
runs sign up and Account Utilities.
>
> Do you have a back-up machine to handle mail when if that one goes down?
We currently maintain a "hot spare" fully configured and updated nightly
that will takeover for the primary if it goes down.
>
> I have a Dual PentiumIII 733, with 100 gigs Raid 5, and 512megs Ram, which
> will be running IMail only. SQL is on a dedicated machine, and the sign-up
> on another web-server. I'm just trying to figure out if we need a machine
as
> a back-up server, or have it co-exist on one of our web-servers as a
> back-up?
You should have a backup of some sort. I don't recommend running Imail in
concert with any other applications, I would recommend a seperate machine.
>
> Did you use IMails web-based service, and just link to the scripts you
> created for customer account changes?
We use Ron's Web Mail Templates from HKSI, he's on this list. Heads and
shoulders above the default Web Mail templates.
>
> Thanks again,
> John
>
>
>
>
>
> --Original Message-----
> From: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED]]On Behalf Of Robert J. Fehn
> Sr.
> Sent: Thursday, November 16, 2000 1:10 PM
> To: [EMAIL PROTECTED]
> Subject: Re: [IMail Forum] Recommendations for offering free e-mail?
>
>
> We are currently doing that very thing (www.mailops.com) Where do I
start?
> :) Spam will be your biggest problem. I will address each of your
> questions below:
>
>
> > on-line registration process. I am considering using IMail with an
extenal
> > user database on SQL 7 and making the registration process with ASP. I
was
>
> Doing it here, works well... ASP script interfaces with SQL 7 through
ODBC.
> Directly sets up users in the database. One table for each domain
configured
> according to Ipswitch's specifications, one master users table containing
> all customer info, one "bad names" table containing things you don't want
> them to use for UserIDs such as "webmaster", "admin", etc
>
> Do yourself a favor, create a script for the customer to access their
> account and make changes to generic info, password, address etc. It will
> save you hours of admin. Also, create an admin version of this for your
tech
> support with the ability to kill accounts and alter userIDs and passwords.
>
> Validate all user input on your sign up script! Don't let them proceed if
> there is info missing. Get everything you can. Many will fake the info to
> use you for spam propogation. It is nearly impossible to stop all of this
> activity but, we are working on verification system right now that
requires
> them to enter a valid ISP email address. Our system will automatically
send
> an Email to that address on signup. If the mail bounces or is in any other
> way not deliverable, no access.
>
> If we get a reply to support from some poor soul whop has no idea why they
> have just been signed up for an email account, the account will also be
> killed.
>
> > - security and spam (I belive smtp-auth doesn't work with an external
> > database)
>
> It does work with external. You will have to use SMTP AUTH with "relay for
> addresses" set for what you are considering. You might also consider
using
> IMGate in concert with the mail server. The author is on this list. We are
> considering adding this.
>
> > - hardware and disk space required for x amount of users
>
> Big Iron! We have around 50,000 users right now running on a dual P III
450
> box with 40 gigs HD space and 256 m of RAM. We are at the upgrade point
now.
> Utilization often sits above 50%, not good. We will be moving to a Quad
Xeon
> box with 1 gig of RAM and Raid 5 with 250 gigs of drive space.
>
> > - best possible solution for dividing up the load for redundancy and
> > performance
>
> When you find it, let us know. Right now I recommend a high quality box
with
> enough resources to carry the load alone. Buy a real server, don't get
> caught in trying to save money upfront and handle the customer complaints
> later... Limit the following: Mailbox size, max messages, and max SMTP
> allowed messages. If you run WebMail, increase the max threads for the
> WebMail server from the default of 64. After much trial and error, ours
are
> set at 250...
>
> > - amount of attention required on a daily basis for maintenance
> >
>
> Not much really. We are running .ASP scripts that keep a watch on mail box
> size and automated procedures to delete old messages and clean the spool
> directory once per week using Ipswitch's utilities. Most of your time
will
> be spent handling tech support for users who can't semd mail. Enabling
SMTP
> AUTH in mail clients is the #1 question we get. Also, many ISPs are
blocking
> external SMTP connections to port 25, you'll have to be aware of that.
>
> > Initially I don't expect a huge amount of users (under a thousand) but I
>
> We are signing around 100 per day, globally.
>
> > would like to make sure that it is reliable. I currently do my own
> > web-hosting and DNS and am curious to know if I can use some of the
> > resources of our web machines for better performance, or redundancy.
>
> Not really, Imail has it's own web server for Webmail. You can , of
course,
> carry your own DNS entries.
>
> >
> > Any tips would be appreciated.
>
> Well, without posting our business plan, I think that about covers it.
Hope
> this helps....
>
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>
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