Novell GROUPWISE 7 - MESSAGE TRANSFERT AGENT User manual

Message Transfer Agent

novdocx (en) 11 December 2007

603

Message Transfer Agent

Chapter 40, “Understanding Message Transfer between Domains and Post Offices,” on

page 605

Chapter 41, “Configuring the MTA,” on page 613

Chapter 42, “Monitoring the MTA,” on page 645

Chapter 43, “Optimizing the MTA,” on page 675

Chapter 44, “Using MTA Startup Switches,” on page 683

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Understanding Message Transfer between Domains and Post Offices

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605

Understanding Message Transfer

between Domains and Post

Offices

A domain organizes post offices into a logical grouping for addressing, routing, and administration

purposes in your GroupWise®system. Messages are transferred between post offices and domains

by the Message Transfer Agent (MTA). The following topics help you understand domains and the

functions of the MTA:

Section 40.1, “Domain Representation in ConsoleOne,” on page 605

Section 40.2, “Domain Directory Structure,” on page 606

Section 40.3, “Information Stored in the Domain,” on page 606

Section 40.4, “Role of the Message Transfer Agent,” on page 608

Section 40.5, “Link Configuration between Domains and Post Offices,” on page 608

Section 40.6, “Message Flow between Domains and Post Offices,” on page 608

Section 40.7, “Cross-Platform Issues between Domains and Post Offices,” on page 609

40.1 Domain Representation in ConsoleOne

In ConsoleOne®, domains are container objects that contain an MTA object, as well as other

domain-related objects, as shown below:

Figure 40-1 ConsoleOne View Showing the MTA Object

Although each post office is linked to a domain, it does not display as subordinate to the domain in

the Console View. However, using the GroupWise View, you can display post offices as subordinate

to the domains to which they are linked in your GroupWise system.

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Figure 40-2 GroupWise View Showing Post Offices in Relationship to Domains

40.2 Domain Directory Structure

Physically, a domain consists of a set of directories that house all the information stored in the

domain. See “Domain Directory” in GroupWise 7 Troubleshooting 3: Message Flow and Directory

Structure.

40.3 Information Stored in the Domain

The following types of information are stored in the domain:

Section 40.3.1, “Domain Database,” on page 606

Section 40.3.2, “Agent Input/Output Queues in the Domain,” on page 607

Section 40.3.3, “Gateways,” on page 607

No messages are stored in the domain, so GroupWise client users do not need access to the domain

directory. The only person who needs file access to the domain directory is the GroupWise

administrator.

40.3.1 Domain Database

The domain database (wpdomain.db) contains all administrative information for the domain,

including:

Address information about all GroupWise objects (such as users, resources, post offices, and

gateways in the domain)

System configuration and linking information for the domain’s MTA

Address and message routing information to other domains

The first domain you create is the primary domain. In the primary domain, the wpdomain.db file

contains all administrative information for your entire GroupWise system (all its domains, post

offices, users, and so on). Because the wpdomain.db file in the primary domain is so crucial, you

should back it up regularly and keep it secure. See Section 31.1, “Backing Up a Domain,” on

page 407.

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You can re-create your entire GroupWise system from the primary domain wpdomain.db file;

however, if the primary domain wpdomain.db file becomes unusable, you can no longer make

administrative updates to your GroupWise system.

Secondary domains are automatically synchronized to match the primary domain.

40.3.2 Agent Input/Output Queues in the Domain

Each domain contains agent input/output queues where messages are deposited and picked up for

processing by the MTA.

For a mapped or UNC link between domains, the MTA requires read/write access rights to its input/

output queues in the other domains. For a TCP/IP link, no access rights are required because

messages are communicated by way of TCP/IP.

For illustrations of the processes presented below, see Section 40.6, “Message Flow between

Domains and Post Offices,” on page 608.

MTA Input Queue in the Domain

The MTA input queue in the local domain (domain\wpcsin) is where MTAs for other domains

deposit user messages for the local MTA to route to local post offices or to route to other domains.

Thus the MTA input queue in the local domain is the output queue for the MTAs in many other

domains.

The MTA does not have an output queue for user messages in the local domain. Because its primary

task is routing messages, the local MTA has output queues in all post offices in the domain. See

“POA Input Queue in the Post Office” on page 467. The local MTA also has output queues in all

domains to which it is directly linked.

MTA Output Queue in the Domain

The MTA output queue in the local domain (domain\wpcsout\ads) is where the MTA deposits

administrative messages from other domains for the MTA admin thread to pick up.

MTA Admin Thread Input Queue in the Domain

The MTA admin thread input queue (domain\wpcsout\ads) is, of course, the same as the MTA

output queue in the local domain. The MTA admin thread picks up administrative messages

deposited in the queue by the MTA and updates the domain database.

MTA Admin Thread Output Queue in the Domain

The MTA admin thread output queue (domain\wpcsin) is the same as the MTA input queue in

the local domain. The MTA admin thread deposits administrative messages in the queue for

replication to other domains.

40.3.3 Gateways

Gateways are installed and configured at the domain level of your GroupWise system. For a list of

gateways, see the GroupWise Gateways Documentation Web site (http://www.novell.com/

documentation/gwgateways).

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40.4 Role of the Message Transfer Agent

You must run an MTA for each domain. The MTA:

Routes messages between post offices in the local domain.

Routes messages between domains.

Routes messages to and from gateways installed in the local domain.

Routes messages between GroupWise systems across the Internet if appropriate DNS lookup

capabilities have been set up. See “Using Dynamic Internet Links” in “Connecting to

GroupWise 5.x, 6.x, and 7.x Systems” in the GroupWise 7 Multi-System Administration Guide.

Schedules routing of messages across expensive links. See Section 41.3.2, “Scheduling Direct

Domain Links,” on page 633.

Controls the size of messages that can pass across links. See Section 41.2.1, “Restricting

Message Size between Domains,” on page 628.

Updates the domain database (wpdomain.db) whenever GroupWise users, resources, post

offices, or other GroupWise objects are added, modified, or deleted.

Replicates updates to all domains and post offices throughout your GroupWise system. This

keeps the Address Book up to date for all GroupWise users.

Synchronizes GroupWise user information with Novell®eDirectoryTM user information. This

handles updates made in ConsoleOne without the GroupWise Administrator snap-in running.

See Section 41.4.1, “Using eDirectory User Synchronization,” on page 638.

Synchronizes GroupWise object information throughout your GroupWise system as needed.

Detects and repairs invalid information in the domain database (wpdomain.db).

Provides improved performance for GroupWise Remote client users. See Section 41.2.2,

“Enabling Live Remote,” on page 629.

Provides logging and statistics about GroupWise message flow. See Section 41.4.2, “Enabling

MTA Message Logging,” on page 643.

40.5 Link Configuration between Domains and

Post Offices

In GroupWise, a link is defined as the information required to route messages between domains,

post offices, and gateways in a GroupWise system. Links are created and configured when new

domains, post offices, and gateways are created.

For more specific information about how domains are linked to each other, and about how domains

and post offices are linked, see Chapter 10, “Managing the Links between Domains and Post

Offices,” on page 137.

40.6 Message Flow between Domains and Post

Offices

Section 40.6.1, “Message Flow between Post Offices in the Same Domain,” on page 609

Section 40.6.2, “Message Flow between Different Domains,” on page 609

Understanding Message Transfer between Domains and Post Offices 609

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40.6.1 Message Flow between Post Offices in the Same

Domain

To see what happens to message flow within the domain when the domain is closed, view the

following message flow diagrams:

“TCP/IP Link Open: Transfer between Post Offices Successful”

“TCP/IP Link Closed: Transfer between Post Offices Delayed”

These diagrams are found in “Message Delivery to a Different Post Office” in GroupWise 7

Troubleshooting 3: Message Flow and Directory Structure. If you are using mapped/UNC links,

refer to GroupWise 6.5 Troubleshooting 3: Message Flow and Directory Structure.

40.6.2 Message Flow between Different Domains

To see what happens to message flow when the destination domain is closed, view the following

message flow diagrams:

“TCP/IP Link Open: Transfer between Domains Successful”

“TCP/IP Link Closed: Transfer between Domains Delayed”

These diagrams are found in “Message Delivery to a Different Domain” in GroupWise 7

Troubleshooting 3: Message Flow and Directory Structure. If you are using mapped/UNC links,

refer to GroupWise 6.5 Troubleshooting 3: Message Flow and Directory Structure.

40.7 Cross-Platform Issues between Domains

and Post Offices

Domains can be located on the following platforms:

Novell NetWare®

Windows Server

Linux

The GroupWise agents can run on the following platforms:

Novell NetWare

Windows Server

Linux

In general, GroupWise is most efficient if you match the agent platform with the network operating

system. Ideally, the MTA as well as the domain and post offices should be on the same platform.

However, those with mixed networks may wonder what combinations are possible. You have several

alternatives.

Section 40.7.1, “MTA Platform Dependencies Because of Direct Access Requirements to Post

Offices,” on page 610

Section 40.7.2, “MTA/Post Office Platform Independence through TCP/IP Links,” on page 610

Section 40.7.3, “MTA Platform Dependencies Because of Direct Access Requirements to the

Domain,” on page 610

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Section 40.7.4, “MTA/Domain Platform Independence through TCP/IP Links,” on page 611

Section 40.7.5, “MTA/Domain Platform Independence through the Transfer Pull

Configuration,” on page 611

40.7.1 MTA Platform Dependencies Because of Direct Access

Requirements to Post Offices

The MTA must always have direct access to the domain directory. In addition, if using mapped or

UNC links to post offices, the MTA must have direct access to each post office directory as well. If

the MTA is installed on a remote server, it must be able to log in to servers where the post offices are

located.

The table below summarizes the various combinations of MTA and post office platforms, and

indicates which combinations work for direct access and which ones do not:

Table 40-1 MTA Platforms and Post Office Platforms

1TCP/IP links are required between the MTA and the POA on Linux. Direct access to post offices is

not available.

2The NetWare MTA cannot service a domain or post office on a Windows server because Windows

does not support the required cross-platform connection.

3Domains and post offices cannot be created on Macintosh computers.

40.7.2 MTA/Post Office Platform Independence through TCP/IP

Links

To overcome platform dependencies for post offices, create a TCP/IP link for any post office located

on a platform where the domain MTA cannot gain direct access. See “Using TCP/IP Links between

a Domain and its Post Offices” on page 623.

40.7.3 MTA Platform Dependencies Because of Direct Access

Requirements to the Domain

If using mapped or UNC links between domains, the source domain MTA must have direct access to

its input queues in the destination domain directory. If the MTA is installed on a remote server, it

must be able to log in to the server where its domain located.

NetWare MTA Linux MTA Windows MTA

Post Office on NetWare Yes No1Yes

Post Office on Linux No1No1No1

Post Office on Windows No2No1Yes

Post Office on

Macintosh

No3No3No3

Understanding Message Transfer between Domains and Post Offices 611

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The table below summarizes the various combinations of the platform of MTA for the source

domain and the platform where the destination domain is located, and indicates which combinations

work for direct access and which ones do not:

Table 40-2 MTA Platforms and Domain Platforms

1TCP/IP links are required between MTAs in GroupWise 7. Direct access to other domains is not

available.

2The NetWare MTA cannot write message files into its output queue in a destination domain on a

Windows server because Windows does not support the required cross-platform connection.

3Domains cannot be created on Macintosh computers.

40.7.4 MTA/Domain Platform Independence through TCP/IP

Links

To overcome platform dependencies between domains, use TCP/IP links between domains. See

Section , “Using TCP/IP Links between Domains,” on page 618.

40.7.5 MTA/Domain Platform Independence through the

Transfer Pull Configuration

If TCP/IP is not available, another alternative for overcoming platform dependencies is a transfer

pull configuration.

By default the MTA “pushes” message files out to destination domains by writing them into its

output queue in each destination domain. One situation where this method does not work is for the

NetWare MTA on a NetWare server to write message files to its input queue in a destination domain

located on a Windows server.

As an alternative, you can have the Windows MTA for the destination domain “pull” the message

files from the source domain on the NetWare server. This is called a transfer pull configuration. See

Section 41.3.3, “Using a Transfer Pull Configuration,” on page 636 for setup instructions.

NetWare MTA for

Source Domain

Linux MTA for Source

Domain

Windows MTA for Source

Domain

Destination Domain on

NetWare

Yes No1Yes

Destination Domain on

Linux

No1No1No3

Destination Domain on

Windows

No2No1Yes

Destination Domain on

Macintosh

No3No3No3

612 GroupWise 7 Administration Guide

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