Configuration File

File Description

~/etc/sendmail.cf

This file is the master sendmail configuration file. The sendmail.cf lists file locations and configuration items that the Sendmail program uses. Do not alter this file unless you are an experienced e-mail administrator.

~/etc/aliases

This file contains the alias list (or forwarding addresses) used to distribute incoming mail messages.

~/etc/aliases.db

This is the binary version of the ~/etc/aliases file that sendmail itself uses. Do not manually edit this file. To rebuild ~/etc/aliases.db, edit ~/etc/aliases and run vnewaliases.

~/etc/virtmaps

This file contains the virtual e-mail address mappings used by sendmail when you have more than one domain name associated with a Virtual Server.

~/etc/virtmaps.db

This is the binary version of the ~/etc/virtmaps file that sendmail itself uses. Do not manually edit this file. To rebuild ~/etc/virtmaps.db, edit ~/etc/virtmaps and run vnewvirtmaps.

~/etc/spammers

This file contains the e-mail addresses or Internet hostnames of abusive Internet users whose mail should be rejected if it is ever sent to your system. The ~/etc/spammers file enables you to selectively reject "junk" mail.

~/etc/spammers.db

This is the binary version of the ~/etc/spammers file that sendmail itself uses. Do not manually edit this file. To rebuild ~/etc/spammers.db, edit ~/etc/spammers and run vnewspammers.

~/etc/relayers.db

This is a binary file used by sendmail as an IP address database of authenticated users. Do not manually edit this file. You can use vsmtprelay to manipulate contents of this file.

~/var/log/messages

This is the master log file for the Virtual Server because it records transactions that occur on your Virtual Server system. You can use this file as a diagnostic tool in tracing server problems. The relationship of the ~/var/log/messages file to the e-mail handling system is described in more detail later in this chapter.

~/var/mail

When the Virtual Server e-mail system receives incoming mail, the mail is stored in this directory. As new messages arrive, they are appended to a file in this directory. The file is named after the recipient of the message (based on account names).

~/var/spool/mqueue

The ~/var/spool/mqueue directory is a temporary location to hold incoming or outgoing mail that is experiencing delivery troubles. The Virtual Server e-mail system is programmed to automatically "flush" this queue on a periodic basis.