NAME
master
-
Postfix master process
SYNOPSIS
mmaasstteerr [--DDddttvv] [--cc _c_o_n_f_i_g___d_i_r] [--ee _e_x_i_t___t_i_m_e]
DESCRIPTION
The mmaasstteerr(8) daemon is the resident process that runs Postfix
daemons on demand: daemons to send or receive messages via the
network, daemons to deliver mail locally, etc. These daemons are
created on demand up to a configurable maximum number per service.
Postfix daemons terminate voluntarily, either after being idle for
a configurable amount of time, or after having serviced a
configurable number of requests. Exceptions to this rule are the
resident queue manager, address verification server, and the TLS
session cache and pseudo-random number server.
The behavior of the mmaasstteerr(8) daemon is controlled by the
mmaasstteerr..ccff configuration file, as described in mmaasstteerr(5).
Options:
-
--cc _c_o_n_f_i_g___d_i_r
Read the mmaaiinn..ccff and mmaasstteerr..ccff configuration files in
-
the named directory instead of the default configuration directory.
This also overrides the configuration files for other Postfix
daemon processes.
-
--DD
After initialization, run a debugger on the master process. The
-
debugging command is specified with the ddeebbuuggggeerr__ccoommmmaanndd in
the mmaaiinn..ccff global configuration file.
-
--dd
Do not redirect stdin, stdout or stderr to /dev/null, and
-
do not discard the controlling terminal. This must be used
for debugging only.
-
--ee _e_x_i_t___t_i_m_e
Terminate the master process after _e_x_i_t___t_i_m_e seconds. Child
-
processes terminate at their convenience.
-
--tt
Test mode. Return a zero exit status when the mmaasstteerr..ppiidd lock
-
file does not exist or when that file is not locked. This is evidence
that the mmaasstteerr(8) daemon is not running.
-
--vv
Enable verbose logging for debugging purposes. This option
-
is passed on to child processes. Multiple --vv options
make the software increasingly verbose.
Signals:
-
SSIIGGHHUUPP
Upon receipt of a HHUUPP signal (e.g., after "ppoossttffiixx rreellooaadd"),
-
the master process re-reads its configuration files. If a service has
been removed from the mmaasstteerr..ccff file, its running processes
are terminated immediately.
Otherwise, running processes are allowed to terminate as soon
as is convenient, so that changes in configuration settings
affect only new service requests.
-
SSIIGGTTEERRMM
Upon receipt of a TTEERRMM signal (e.g., after "ppoossttffiixx aabboorrtt"),
-
the master process passes the signal on to its child processes and
terminates.
This is useful for an emergency shutdown. Normally one would
terminate only the master ("ppoossttffiixx ssttoopp") and allow running
processes to finish what they are doing.
DIAGNOSTICS
Problems are reported to ssyyssllooggdd(8).
ENVIRONMENT
-
MMAAIILL__DDEEBBUUGG
After initialization, start a debugger as specified with the
-
ddeebbuuggggeerr__ccoommmmaanndd configuration parameter in the mmaaiinn..ccff
configuration file.
-
MMAAIILL__CCOONNFFIIGG
Directory with Postfix configuration files.
-
CONFIGURATION PARAMETERS
Unlike most Postfix daemon processes, the mmaasstteerr(8) server does
not automatically pick up changes to mmaaiinn..ccff. Changes
to mmaasstteerr..ccff are never picked up automatically.
Use the "ppoossttffiixx rreellooaadd" command after a configuration change.
RESOURCE AND RATE CONTROLS
-
ddeeffaauulltt__pprroocceessss__lliimmiitt ((110000))
The default maximal number of Postfix child processes that provide
-
a given service.
-
mmaaxx__iiddllee ((110000ss))
The maximum amount of time that an idle Postfix daemon process waits
-
for an incoming connection before terminating voluntarily.
-
mmaaxx__uussee ((110000))
The maximal number of incoming connections that a Postfix daemon
-
process will service before terminating voluntarily.
-
sseerrvviiccee__tthhrroottttllee__ttiimmee ((6600ss))
How long the Postfix mmaasstteerr(8) waits before forking a server that
-
appears to be malfunctioning.
Available in Postfix version 2.6 and later:
-
mmaasstteerr__sseerrvviiccee__ddiissaabbllee ((eemmppttyy))
Selectively disable mmaasstteerr(8) listener ports by service type
-
or by service name and type.
MISCELLANEOUS CONTROLS
-
ccoonnffiigg__ddiirreeccttoorryy ((sseeee ''ppoossttccoonnff --dd'' oouuttppuutt))
The default location of the Postfix main.cf and master.cf
-
configuration files.
-
ddaaeemmoonn__ddiirreeccttoorryy ((sseeee ''ppoossttccoonnff --dd'' oouuttppuutt))
The directory with Postfix support programs and daemon programs.
-
-
ddeebbuuggggeerr__ccoommmmaanndd ((eemmppttyy))
The external command to execute when a Postfix daemon program is
-
invoked with the -D option.
-
iinneett__iinntteerrffaacceess ((aallll))
The network interface addresses that this mail system receives
-
mail on.
-
iinneett__pprroottooccoollss ((iippvv44))
The Internet protocols Postfix will attempt to use when making
-
or accepting connections.
-
iimmppoorrtt__eennvviirroonnmmeenntt ((sseeee ''ppoossttccoonnff --dd'' oouuttppuutt))
The list of environment parameters that a Postfix process will
-
import from a non-Postfix parent process.
-
mmaaiill__oowwnneerr ((ppoossttffiixx))
The UNIX system account that owns the Postfix queue and most Postfix
-
daemon processes.
-
pprroocceessss__iidd ((rreeaadd--oonnllyy))
The process ID of a Postfix command or daemon process.
-
-
pprroocceessss__nnaammee ((rreeaadd--oonnllyy))
The process name of a Postfix command or daemon process.
-
-
qquueeuuee__ddiirreeccttoorryy ((sseeee ''ppoossttccoonnff --dd'' oouuttppuutt))
The location of the Postfix top-level queue directory.
-
-
ssyysslloogg__ffaacciilliittyy ((mmaaiill))
The syslog facility of Postfix logging.
-
-
ssyysslloogg__nnaammee ((sseeee ''ppoossttccoonnff --dd'' oouuttppuutt))
The mail system name that is prepended to the process name in syslog
-
records, so that "smtpd" becomes, for example, "postfix/smtpd".
FILES
To expand the directory names below into their actual values,
use the command "ppoossttccoonnff ccoonnffiigg__ddiirreeccttoorryy" etc.
$config_directory/main.cf, global configuration file.
$config_directory/master.cf, master server configuration file.
$queue_directory/pid/master.pid, master lock file.
$data_directory/master.lock, master lock file.
SEE ALSO
qmgr(8), queue manager
verify(8), address verification
master(5), master.cf configuration file syntax
postconf(5), main.cf configuration parameter syntax
syslogd(8), system logging
LICENSE
The Secure Mailer license must be distributed with this software.
AUTHOR(S)
Wietse Venema
IBM T.J. Watson Research
P.O. Box 704
Yorktown Heights, NY 10598, USA