Re: [qmailtoaster] Stupid Question...Or two.
Jake Vickers wrote: Vpopmail in QMT uses a Mysql DB. It's trivial to replicate that database between multiple machines and there are a variety of methods to accomplish this. I'm going to start a video series on the magazine this coming week on how to build a cluster that replicates all the data between all the machines (database and mail store), so you could list all of your mail servers as MX records (or even a single MX record with multiple IPs!) and it would not matter which server accepted the data, as it would be replicated between them all. Your users would be able to use any (or all, depending on how you set it up) of the servers as their pop/smtp servers, or you could dedicate 1 machine as the smtp and the rest as the incoming, or whatever. The video will be over the next few weeks as this is a complicated task. I plan on doing other cluster setups in the upcoming videos when the user requests get lean. To clarify to everyone (it was late last night when I wrote that message), this video series will be on how to set up a replicated system. I will cover cluster/ISP style systems in the magazine eventually. - Qmailtoaster is sponsored by Vickers Consulting Group (www.vickersconsulting.com) Vickers Consulting Group offers Qmailtoaster support and installations. If you need professional help with your setup, contact them today! - Please visit qmailtoaster.com for the latest news, updates, and packages. To unsubscribe, e-mail: qmailtoaster-list-unsubscr...@qmailtoaster.com For additional commands, e-mail: qmailtoaster-list-h...@qmailtoaster.com
RE: [qmailtoaster] Stupid Question...Or two.
Hey Michael, Just to add a small bit, try the same question on the lists of the other "contenders" you listed. See if you get a response from the 2 leading developers within a few hours like you did here. These guys rock!! -Original Message- From: Michael Colvin [mailto:mcol...@norcalisp.com] Sent: Monday, August 17, 2009 4:09 AM To: qmailtoaster-list@qmailtoaster.com Subject: RE: [qmailtoaster] Stupid Question...Or two. > We're naturally going to suggest you use a Redhat distro and QMT (you > *are* asking on our list!), but I'd say use whatever tool fits the job. Of course. :-) > Sit down, figure out what your goals and timelines are. Weigh this with > what you need and mark milestones on your projected timeline. If you > have an expanded timeline then maybe rolling your own is better as > you'll learn the internals a little more. If your timeline operates in > the real world, figure out what will work for you in the time allotted > and budget "fudge" time (ie: "I borked this thing and need to fix it" > time). > Plan it all out in advance. The timeline's pretty flexible... What I have in place is working, and I've got the hardware and rack space to build the new system without disrupting the existing. The only "Pressure" to get it done is that which I place on myself. I'd like to get it done so I can move on to the next one. :-) > Vpopmail in QMT uses a Mysql DB. It's trivial to replicate that > database > between multiple machines and there are a variety of methods to > accomplish this. I've done this before, also, and have looked at possibly implementing this is my setup, and may in fact include it in my plans, to some extent. > I'm going to start a video series on the magazine this > coming week on how to build a cluster that replicates all the data > between all the machines (database and mail store), so you could list > all of your mail servers as MX records (or even a single MX record with > multiple IPs!) and it would not matter which server accepted the data, > as it would be replicated between them all. Your users would be able to > use any (or all, depending on how you set it up) of the servers as > their > pop/smtp servers, or you could dedicate 1 machine as the smtp and the > rest as the incoming, or whatever. > The video will be over the next few weeks as this is a complicated > task. The video sounds good. Sounds like a lot of work, but I'm sure it will be helpful. I've browsed some of your existing videos, and they look well done and easy to follow. My current setup has multiple servers, all behind load balancing, so I'm already spreading the load out amongst the multiple servers, and it's working fine, and actually makes it nice when adding/moving servers around. > But to answer your question, yes, it's trivial to tell vpopmail to use > an external database for it's user store. You could have your multiple > incoming servers use the same vpopmail backend for > authentication/checks > to accept mail and then smtproute it to the final destination machine. > The file you would need to edit would be the > /home/vpopmail/etc/vpopmail.mysql file. It should be pretty self > explanatory; change localhost to the IP/domain of the server you want > to > be the mysql user store and adjust the password if needed. Everything > else should pretty much stay the same. You may need to change the 0 to > a > 3306. Then all of your frontend machines can authenticate against the > same backend. That's pretty much what I thought. Like I said, while I'm no qmail expert, I have been working with it for some time, and know the ins-and-outs of how it works, for the most part, so this isn't "New" to me, but each OS distribution seems to have slightly different ways of doing things, and that's the main thing I need to get used to. Thanks again! - Qmailtoaster is sponsored by Vickers Consulting Group (www.vickersconsulting.com) Vickers Consulting Group offers Qmailtoaster support and installations. If you need professional help with your setup, contact them today! - Please visit qmailtoaster.com for the latest news, updates, and packages. To unsubscribe, e-mail: qmailtoaster-list-unsubscr...@qmailtoaster.com For additional commands, e-mail: qmailtoaster-list-h...@qmailtoaster.com - Qmailtoaster is sponsored by Vickers Consulting Group (www.vickersconsulting.com) Vickers Consulting Group offers Qmailtoaster support and installations.
RE: [qmailtoaster] Stupid Question...Or two.
> We're naturally going to suggest you use a Redhat distro and QMT (you > *are* asking on our list!), but I'd say use whatever tool fits the job. Of course. :-) > Sit down, figure out what your goals and timelines are. Weigh this with > what you need and mark milestones on your projected timeline. If you > have an expanded timeline then maybe rolling your own is better as > you'll learn the internals a little more. If your timeline operates in > the real world, figure out what will work for you in the time allotted > and budget "fudge" time (ie: "I borked this thing and need to fix it" > time). > Plan it all out in advance. The timeline's pretty flexible... What I have in place is working, and I've got the hardware and rack space to build the new system without disrupting the existing. The only "Pressure" to get it done is that which I place on myself. I'd like to get it done so I can move on to the next one. :-) > Vpopmail in QMT uses a Mysql DB. It's trivial to replicate that > database > between multiple machines and there are a variety of methods to > accomplish this. I've done this before, also, and have looked at possibly implementing this is my setup, and may in fact include it in my plans, to some extent. > I'm going to start a video series on the magazine this > coming week on how to build a cluster that replicates all the data > between all the machines (database and mail store), so you could list > all of your mail servers as MX records (or even a single MX record with > multiple IPs!) and it would not matter which server accepted the data, > as it would be replicated between them all. Your users would be able to > use any (or all, depending on how you set it up) of the servers as > their > pop/smtp servers, or you could dedicate 1 machine as the smtp and the > rest as the incoming, or whatever. > The video will be over the next few weeks as this is a complicated > task. The video sounds good. Sounds like a lot of work, but I'm sure it will be helpful. I've browsed some of your existing videos, and they look well done and easy to follow. My current setup has multiple servers, all behind load balancing, so I'm already spreading the load out amongst the multiple servers, and it's working fine, and actually makes it nice when adding/moving servers around. > But to answer your question, yes, it's trivial to tell vpopmail to use > an external database for it's user store. You could have your multiple > incoming servers use the same vpopmail backend for > authentication/checks > to accept mail and then smtproute it to the final destination machine. > The file you would need to edit would be the > /home/vpopmail/etc/vpopmail.mysql file. It should be pretty self > explanatory; change localhost to the IP/domain of the server you want > to > be the mysql user store and adjust the password if needed. Everything > else should pretty much stay the same. You may need to change the 0 to > a > 3306. Then all of your frontend machines can authenticate against the > same backend. That's pretty much what I thought. Like I said, while I'm no qmail expert, I have been working with it for some time, and know the ins-and-outs of how it works, for the most part, so this isn't "New" to me, but each OS distribution seems to have slightly different ways of doing things, and that's the main thing I need to get used to. Thanks again! - Qmailtoaster is sponsored by Vickers Consulting Group (www.vickersconsulting.com) Vickers Consulting Group offers Qmailtoaster support and installations. If you need professional help with your setup, contact them today! - Please visit qmailtoaster.com for the latest news, updates, and packages. To unsubscribe, e-mail: qmailtoaster-list-unsubscr...@qmailtoaster.com For additional commands, e-mail: qmailtoaster-list-h...@qmailtoaster.com
Re: [qmailtoaster] Stupid Question...Or two.
Michael Colvin wrote: Oh, no doubt the setup/install of QMT is easier than Qmailrocks. I was/am a Windoze admin up until a couple years ago when necessity dictated that I learn some Unix/Linux. I landed in Ubuntu land, and that's what I've been using, for the most part, and have several machines running qmail using Qmailrocks on Ubuntu. But, as I said in the original post, I've also learned there's some things with Qmailrocks that, well, shouldn't be. :-) We're naturally going to suggest you use a Redhat distro and QMT (you *are* asking on our list!), but I'd say use whatever tool fits the job. I have plenty of servers that run other distros for specific tasks because they fit better than other distros. I do prefer RH based distros, but I started with Redhat 7.3, so I've had more familiarity with RH based distros over others. I do run Ubuntu on my desktop though ;) So.. I could just install QMT on all of them, and be done. Or, would it be better to stay with a Debian based OS that I'm familiar with (Although, all I really do with them is e-mail, so there's not much to "Do" with them after they are up and running!). If I go with the "Roll your own" method, I could choose an OS, and maybe only install the functionality that I need on each server... But, then again, it would be more efficient to just put QMT on all of them. :-) I do this for a living. Listen to me: Sit down, figure out what your goals and timelines are. Weigh this with what you need and mark milestones on your projected timeline. If you have an expanded timeline then maybe rolling your own is better as you'll learn the internals a little more. If your timeline operates in the real world, figure out what will work for you in the time allotted and budget "fudge" time (ie: "I borked this thing and need to fix it" time). Plan it all out in advance. Let me ask this... The chkuser functionality uses Vpopmail to actually check for valid accounts, right? And, I'm assuming that changing the default database that Vpopmail uses is trivial? (I've actually not done it, but I would think it would be just modifying a file). My goal is to have the "Filtering" servers use chkuser to validate recipients, but to actually have only a single database with users in it, and instead of using a script or something to push a cdb file out to each server, I would think you could point the "Filtering" servers vpopmail to check the vpopmail database that a "Central" mail server maintains. ??? Am I smokin' crack? Vpopmail in QMT uses a Mysql DB. It's trivial to replicate that database between multiple machines and there are a variety of methods to accomplish this. I'm going to start a video series on the magazine this coming week on how to build a cluster that replicates all the data between all the machines (database and mail store), so you could list all of your mail servers as MX records (or even a single MX record with multiple IPs!) and it would not matter which server accepted the data, as it would be replicated between them all. Your users would be able to use any (or all, depending on how you set it up) of the servers as their pop/smtp servers, or you could dedicate 1 machine as the smtp and the rest as the incoming, or whatever. The video will be over the next few weeks as this is a complicated task. I plan on doing other cluster setups in the upcoming videos when the user requests get lean. But to answer your question, yes, it's trivial to tell vpopmail to use an external database for it's user store. You could have your multiple incoming servers use the same vpopmail backend for authentication/checks to accept mail and then smtproute it to the final destination machine. The file you would need to edit would be the /home/vpopmail/etc/vpopmail.mysql file. It should be pretty self explanatory; change localhost to the IP/domain of the server you want to be the mysql user store and adjust the password if needed. Everything else should pretty much stay the same. You may need to change the 0 to a 3306. Then all of your frontend machines can authenticate against the same backend. Thanks again for the ear guys, and sorry for the long-winded post. I usually only lerk on lists I'm one, trying to soak up info...But, I've got to do get this done, so I'm trying to get some specific information to get me pointed in the right direction. Glad to see a new face on the list, and good questions. - Qmailtoaster is sponsored by Vickers Consulting Group (www.vickersconsulting.com) Vickers Consulting Group offers Qmailtoaster support and installations. If you need professional help with your setup, contact them today! - Please visit qmailtoaster.com for the latest news, updates, and packages. To unsubscribe, e-mail: qmailtoast
RE: [qmailtoaster] Stupid Question...Or two.
Oh, no doubt the setup/install of QMT is easier than Qmailrocks. I was/am a Windoze admin up until a couple years ago when necessity dictated that I learn some Unix/Linux. I landed in Ubuntu land, and that's what I've been using, for the most part, and have several machines running qmail using Qmailrocks on Ubuntu. But, as I said in the original post, I've also learned there's some things with Qmailrocks that, well, shouldn't be. :-) So, I'm embarking on a migration in that area. I've had a machine running QMT for a month or two now, that I'm basically just playing with, and so far I do like the additional functionality, no doubt, and yes, it is easier to get a working box. QMT-Plus also makes it nice. I've been using SpamDyke w/qmail for a year or two (On Qmailrocks setup), and that's prolonged the existing servers life...But, it's time to move on. The support for QMT, as you mentioned, is great. Qmailrocks is dead. So, of course there's a great difference, although, for the most part, I haven't needed much support in the past (Knock on wood), but, it is nice to know it's there if needed. I'm still not an expert by any means with Linux, so beyond Ubuntu, and some playing with CentOS with a Trixbox, I haven't experienced many flavors of Linux, but I guess they're all similar, much like the various flavors of any OS. But, it would seem some my be better suited for some services than others... What I'm looking to replace is a fairly "Kluged" together mail server cluster. A cluster of a cluster, if you will. :-) I've got a few boxes that run Qmail w/spamdyke, that act as filtering servers, that then pass the "Cleaned" mail onto the actual customer mail servers, also running qmail. It all works fine, but is lacking some specific items, that QMT does add, mainly chkuser. Backscatter spam isn't just annoying, it's rude. :-), and like all non-patched qmail servers, I'm guilty, so I've been looking at various solutions for a while, and have narrowed it down to basically QMT or installing from source, potentially blending a couple different "Perfect" qmail installs. So.. I could just install QMT on all of them, and be done. Or, would it be better to stay with a Debian based OS that I'm familiar with (Although, all I really do with them is e-mail, so there's not much to "Do" with them after they are up and running!). If I go with the "Roll your own" method, I could choose an OS, and maybe only install the functionality that I need on each server... But, then again, it would be more efficient to just put QMT on all of them. :-) Let me ask this... The chkuser functionality uses Vpopmail to actually check for valid accounts, right? And, I'm assuming that changing the default database that Vpopmail uses is trivial? (I've actually not done it, but I would think it would be just modifying a file). My goal is to have the "Filtering" servers use chkuser to validate recipients, but to actually have only a single database with users in it, and instead of using a script or something to push a cdb file out to each server, I would think you could point the "Filtering" servers vpopmail to check the vpopmail database that a "Central" mail server maintains. ??? Am I smokin' crack? Thanks again for the ear guys, and sorry for the long-winded post. I usually only lerk on lists I'm one, trying to soak up info...But, I've got to do get this done, so I'm trying to get some specific information to get me pointed in the right direction. Mike Michael J. Colvin NorCal Internet Services www.norcalisp.com > -Original Message- > From: Mike Canty [mailto:m...@collotype.com.au] > Sent: Sunday, August 16, 2009 6:44 PM > To: qmailtoaster-list@qmailtoaster.com > Subject: RE: [qmailtoaster] Stupid Question...Or two. > > Mike, > If it is of any consequence. I have recently moved from a Fedora > Core 7 machine that I had installed Qmailrocks on. I found that the > upgrades were a little slow, limited documentation and I needed a couple > of > features that were not present. > > After looking at a range of different Qmail options I chose to use the QMT > version. I also wanted to keep using Fedora or Red Hat, as this is in > place > on a few of my machines. As a result CentOS was the obvious choice (Red > Hat > without the Red Hat support). > > I have now put the server in place with the QMT for CentOS 5.3 and this > went > well. I have also added the QMT Plus package, and sent some time tuning > my > system using the videos supplied by Jake. > > I did have an issue, but the excellent forum provided me with the > information to fix my issues. > > After t
Re: [qmailtoaster] Stupid Question...Or two.
Not a stupid question at all, Michael. I'm a little surprised we don't see this question more often. I'd like to add that with QMT there is any easy upgrade path, using the qtp-newmodel script(s) in QTP. The *-toaster packages are easily and safely updated on a production server, with downtime of only a few minutes. I don't believe that any qmail server flavor comes anywhere close to this. It can't get much easier than this. With Jake at the helm, it appears the QMT has a real future. Spamdyke and Dovecot are planned for inclusion in the stock version 2. I'm also working on some significant additions like LDAP support, which probably will precede QMT2. There is one drawback to QMT though. You may not get to learn the internals as much as with other qmail flavors (although there's nothing stopping you from doing so). QMT just works. ;) Mike Canty wrote: Mike, If it is of any consequence. I have recently moved from a Fedora Core 7 machine that I had installed Qmailrocks on. I found that the upgrades were a little slow, limited documentation and I needed a couple of features that were not present. After looking at a range of different Qmail options I chose to use the QMT version. I also wanted to keep using Fedora or Red Hat, as this is in place on a few of my machines. As a result CentOS was the obvious choice (Red Hat without the Red Hat support). I have now put the server in place with the QMT for CentOS 5.3 and this went well. I have also added the QMT Plus package, and sent some time tuning my system using the videos supplied by Jake. I did have an issue, but the excellent forum provided me with the information to fix my issues. After the install I now have a machine that is supported for a few years at least, running in a stable environment, offering advanced features my Qmailrocks install didn't. Oh, and the QMT install was very easy compared to Qmailrocks. Just my thoughts Cheers -Original Message- From: Michael Colvin [mailto:mcol...@norcalisp.com] Sent: Monday, 17 August 2009 9:47 AM To: qmailtoaster-list@qmailtoaster.com Subject: [qmailtoaster] Stupid Question...Or two. Ok. This is probably a stupid question, but... It's Sunday, so I'm entitled to one stupid question. :-) I've been using Qmail for many years (10), although only admining one myself for the past 3. I originally used "Qmailrocks", and am aware of its shortcomings and issues, compared to "Modern" flavors of qmail. So... What's the differences between Qmail Toaster, Bill Shupp's Qmail Toaster, and netqmail? I don't mean the obvious (QMT being an ISO), but more along the lines of the "Finished Product". What's better/worse about the three versions? Also, and this is more for Jake I think, other than being based on CentOS 5, what's the difference between the "Free" version of your QMT and the QMT5 version? I have no problem paying you for the QMT5 version, but am curious as to the reason for two versions? Is CentOS5 that much better? (I'm not a CentOS person, so I'm not sure.) Anyway, thanks for the time! Mike -- -Eric 'shubes' - Qmailtoaster is sponsored by Vickers Consulting Group (www.vickersconsulting.com) Vickers Consulting Group offers Qmailtoaster support and installations. If you need professional help with your setup, contact them today! - Please visit qmailtoaster.com for the latest news, updates, and packages. To unsubscribe, e-mail: qmailtoaster-list-unsubscr...@qmailtoaster.com For additional commands, e-mail: qmailtoaster-list-h...@qmailtoaster.com
RE: [qmailtoaster] Stupid Question...Or two.
Mike, If it is of any consequence. I have recently moved from a Fedora Core 7 machine that I had installed Qmailrocks on. I found that the upgrades were a little slow, limited documentation and I needed a couple of features that were not present. After looking at a range of different Qmail options I chose to use the QMT version. I also wanted to keep using Fedora or Red Hat, as this is in place on a few of my machines. As a result CentOS was the obvious choice (Red Hat without the Red Hat support). I have now put the server in place with the QMT for CentOS 5.3 and this went well. I have also added the QMT Plus package, and sent some time tuning my system using the videos supplied by Jake. I did have an issue, but the excellent forum provided me with the information to fix my issues. After the install I now have a machine that is supported for a few years at least, running in a stable environment, offering advanced features my Qmailrocks install didn't. Oh, and the QMT install was very easy compared to Qmailrocks. Just my thoughts Cheers -Original Message- From: Michael Colvin [mailto:mcol...@norcalisp.com] Sent: Monday, 17 August 2009 9:47 AM To: qmailtoaster-list@qmailtoaster.com Subject: [qmailtoaster] Stupid Question...Or two. Ok. This is probably a stupid question, but... It's Sunday, so I'm entitled to one stupid question. :-) I've been using Qmail for many years (10), although only admining one myself for the past 3. I originally used "Qmailrocks", and am aware of its shortcomings and issues, compared to "Modern" flavors of qmail. So... What's the differences between Qmail Toaster, Bill Shupp's Qmail Toaster, and netqmail? I don't mean the obvious (QMT being an ISO), but more along the lines of the "Finished Product". What's better/worse about the three versions? Also, and this is more for Jake I think, other than being based on CentOS 5, what's the difference between the "Free" version of your QMT and the QMT5 version? I have no problem paying you for the QMT5 version, but am curious as to the reason for two versions? Is CentOS5 that much better? (I'm not a CentOS person, so I'm not sure.) Anyway, thanks for the time! Mike - Qmailtoaster is sponsored by Vickers Consulting Group (www.vickersconsulting.com) Vickers Consulting Group offers Qmailtoaster support and installations. If you need professional help with your setup, contact them today! - Please visit qmailtoaster.com for the latest news, updates, and packages. To unsubscribe, e-mail: qmailtoaster-list-unsubscr...@qmailtoaster.com For additional commands, e-mail: qmailtoaster-list-h...@qmailtoaster.com - Qmailtoaster is sponsored by Vickers Consulting Group (www.vickersconsulting.com) Vickers Consulting Group offers Qmailtoaster support and installations. If you need professional help with your setup, contact them today! - Please visit qmailtoaster.com for the latest news, updates, and packages. To unsubscribe, e-mail: qmailtoaster-list-unsubscr...@qmailtoaster.com For additional commands, e-mail: qmailtoaster-list-h...@qmailtoaster.com
Re: [qmailtoaster] Stupid Question...Or two.
Michael Colvin wrote: Ok. This is probably a stupid question, but... It's Sunday, so I'm entitled to one stupid question. :-) I've been using Qmail for many years (10), although only admining one myself for the past 3. I originally used "Qmailrocks", and am aware of its shortcomings and issues, compared to "Modern" flavors of qmail. So... What's the differences between Qmail Toaster, Bill Shupp's Qmail Toaster, and netqmail? I don't mean the obvious (QMT being an ISO), but more along the lines of the "Finished Product". What's better/worse about the three versions? Also, and this is more for Jake I think, other than being based on CentOS 5, what's the difference between the "Free" version of your QMT and the QMT5 version? I have no problem paying you for the QMT5 version, but am curious as to the reason for two versions? Is CentOS5 that much better? (I'm not a CentOS person, so I'm not sure.) Anyway, thanks for the time! Qmailrocks and Shupp's Toaster use source installs. QMT uses src rpms (I just happen to make ISOs for those that find it easier to just throw a disk in and for quick deployment - QMT is not necessarily an ISO). I also like to think that we are a little more updated than the "other guys". We offer RPMs that will give you a complete mail server in about an hour (less if using the ISO), and it's all pretty much canned to work out of the box. you can configure it more if you require it. We try and give you a complete system in a short amount of time with an easy installation. netqmail is just the Qmail source with some patched applied (some of the same ones we use). As far as the 2 ISOs, the free download is CentOS 4. CentOS 4 is supported until Feb 29, 2012. After that there will be no updates from the CentOS team. It also uses some old RPMs from the project - I do not update that ISO anymore. The other version, where I charge for the download to offset the bandwidth, is based on CentOS 5. CentOS 5 is supported until March 31, 2014. After that there will be no updates from the CentOS team. I update this ISO's packages a couple times a year. Hopefully that answered your questions. Let us know if you have any more! - Qmailtoaster is sponsored by Vickers Consulting Group (www.vickersconsulting.com) Vickers Consulting Group offers Qmailtoaster support and installations. If you need professional help with your setup, contact them today! - Please visit qmailtoaster.com for the latest news, updates, and packages. To unsubscribe, e-mail: qmailtoaster-list-unsubscr...@qmailtoaster.com For additional commands, e-mail: qmailtoaster-list-h...@qmailtoaster.com
