NAME
sendmail
-
Postfix to Sendmail compatibility interface
SYNOPSIS
sseennddmmaaiill [_o_p_t_i_o_n _._._.] [_r_e_c_i_p_i_e_n_t _._._.]
mmaaiillqq
sseennddmmaaiill --bbpp
nneewwaalliiaasseess
sseennddmmaaiill --II
DESCRIPTION
The Postfix sseennddmmaaiill(1) command implements the Postfix
to Sendmail compatibility interface.
For the sake of compatibility with existing applications, some
Sendmail command-line options are recognized but silently ignored.
By default, Postfix sseennddmmaaiill(1) reads a message from
standard input
until EOF or until it reads a line with only a .. character,
and arranges for delivery. Postfix sseennddmmaaiill(1) relies on the
ppoossttddrroopp(1) command to create a queue file in the mmaaiillddrroopp
directory.
Specific command aliases are provided for other common modes of
operation:
-
mmaaiillqq
List the mail queue. Each entry shows the queue file ID, message
-
size, arrival time, sender, and the recipients that still need to
be delivered. If mail could not be delivered upon the last attempt,
the reason for failure is shown. The queue ID string is
followed by an optional status character:
-
**
The message is in the aaccttiivvee queue, i.e. the message is
-
selected for delivery.
-
!!
The message is in the hhoolldd queue, i.e. no further delivery
-
attempt will be made until the mail is taken off hold.
-
This mode of operation is implemented by executing the
-
ppoossttqquueeuuee(1) command.
-
nneewwaalliiaasseess
Initialize the alias database. If no input file is specified (with
-
the --ooAA option, see below), the program processes the file(s)
specified with the aalliiaass__ddaattaabbaassee configuration parameter.
If no alias database type is specified, the program uses the type
specified with the ddeeffaauulltt__ddaattaabbaassee__ttyyppee configuration parameter.
This mode of operation is implemented by running the ppoossttaalliiaass(1)
command.
Note: it may take a minute or so before an alias database update
becomes visible. Use the "ppoossttffiixx rreellooaadd" command to eliminate
this delay.
These and other features can be selected by specifying the
appropriate combination of command-line options. Some features are
controlled by parameters in the mmaaiinn..ccff configuration file.
The following options are recognized:
-
--AAmm (ignored)
-
-
--AAcc (ignored)
Postfix sendmail uses the same configuration file regardless of
-
whether or not a message is an initial submission.
-
--BB _b_o_d_y___t_y_p_e
The message body MIME type: 77BBIITT or 88BBIITTMMIIMMEE.
-
-
--bbdd
Go into daemon mode. This mode of operation is implemented by
-
executing the "ppoossttffiixx ssttaarrtt" command.
-
--bbhh (ignored)
-
-
--bbHH (ignored)
Postfix has no persistent host status database.
-
-
--bbii
Initialize alias database. See the nneewwaalliiaasseess
-
command above.
-
--bbmm
Read mail from standard input and arrange for delivery.
-
This is the default mode of operation.
-
--bbpp
List the mail queue. See the mmaaiillqq command above.
-
-
--bbss
Stand-alone SMTP server mode. Read SMTP commands from
-
standard input, and write responses to standard output.
In stand-alone SMTP server mode, mail relaying and other
access controls are disabled by default. To enable them,
run the process as the mmaaiill__oowwnneerr user.
This mode of operation is implemented by running the
ssmmttppdd(8) daemon.
-
--bbvv
Do not collect or deliver a message. Instead, send an email
-
report after verifying each recipient address. This is useful
for testing address rewriting and routing configurations.
This feature is available in Postfix version 2.1 and later.
-
--CC _c_o_n_f_i_g___f_i_l_e
-
-
--CC _c_o_n_f_i_g___d_i_r
The path name of the Postfix mmaaiinn..ccff file, or of its
-
parent directory. This information is ignored with Postfix
versions before 2.3.
With all Postfix versions, you can specify a directory pathname
with the MAIL_CONFIG environment variable to override the
location of configuration files.
-
--FF _f_u_l_l___n_a_m_e
Set the sender full name. This overrides the NAME environment
-
variable, and is used only with messages that
have no FFrroomm:: message header.
-
--ff _s_e_n_d_e_r
Set the envelope sender address. This is the address where
-
delivery problems are sent to. With Postfix versions before 2.1, the
EErrrroorrss--TToo:: message header overrides the error return address.
-
--GG
Gateway (relay) submission, as opposed to initial user
-
submission. Either do not rewrite addresses at all, or
update incomplete addresses with the domain information
specified with rreemmoottee__hheeaaddeerr__rreewwrriittee__ddoommaaiinn.
This option is ignored before Postfix version 2.3.
-
--hh _h_o_p___c_o_u_n_t (ignored)
Hop count limit. Use the hhooppccoouunntt__lliimmiitt configuration
-
parameter instead.
-
--II
Initialize alias database. See the nneewwaalliiaasseess
-
command above.
-
--ii
When reading a message from standard input, donīt treat a line
-
with only a .. character as the end of input.
-
--LL _l_a_b_e_l (ignored)
The logging label. Use the ssyysslloogg__nnaammee configuration
-
parameter instead.
-
--mm (ignored)
Backwards compatibility.
-
-
--NN _d_s_n (default: 'delay, failure')
Delivery status notification control. Specify either a
-
comma-separated list with one or more of ffaaiilluurree (send
notification when delivery fails), ddeellaayy (send
notification when delivery is delayed), or ssuucccceessss
(send notification when the message is delivered); or specify
nneevveerr (don't send any notifications at all).
This feature is available in Postfix 2.3 and later.
-
--nn (ignored)
Backwards compatibility.
-
-
--ooAA_a_l_i_a_s___d_a_t_a_b_a_s_e
Non-default alias database. Specify _p_a_t_h_n_a_m_e or
-
_t_y_p_e:_p_a_t_h_n_a_m_e. See ppoossttaalliiaass(1) for
details.
-
--OO _o_p_t_i_o_n_=_v_a_l_u_e (ignored)
Backwards compatibility.
-
-
--oo77 (ignored)
-
-
--oo88 (ignored)
To send 8-bit or binary content, use an appropriate MIME encapsulation
-
and specify the appropriate --BB command-line option.
-
--ooii
When reading a message from standard input, donīt treat a line
-
with only a .. character as the end of input.
-
--oomm (ignored)
The sender is never eliminated from alias etc. expansions.
-
-
--oo _x _v_a_l_u_e (ignored)
Set option _x to _v_a_l_u_e. Use the equivalent
-
configuration parameter in mmaaiinn..ccff instead.
-
--rr _s_e_n_d_e_r
Set the envelope sender address. This is the address where
-
delivery problems are sent to. With Postfix versions before 2.1, the
EErrrroorrss--TToo:: message header overrides the error return address.
-
--RR _r_e_t_u_r_n___l_i_m_i_t (ignored)
Limit the size of bounced mail. Use the bboouunnccee__ssiizzee__lliimmiitt
-
configuration parameter instead.
-
--qq
Attempt to deliver all queued mail. This is implemented by
-
executing the ppoossttqquueeuuee(1) command.
Warning: flushing undeliverable mail frequently will result in
poor delivery performance of all other mail.
-
--qq_i_n_t_e_r_v_a_l (ignored)
The interval between queue runs. Use the qquueeuuee__rruunn__ddeellaayy
-
configuration parameter instead.
-
--qqII_q_u_e_u_e_i_d
Schedule immediate delivery of mail with the specified queue
-
ID. This option is implemented by executing the
ppoossttqquueeuuee(1) command, and is available with Postfix
version 2.4 and later.
-
--qqRR_s_i_t_e
Schedule immediate delivery of all mail that is queued for the named
-
_s_i_t_e. This option accepts only _s_i_t_e names that are
eligible for the "fast flush" service, and is implemented by
executing the ppoossttqquueeuuee(1) command.
See fflluusshh(8) for more information about the "fast flush"
service.
-
--qqSS_s_i_t_e
This command is not implemented. Use the slower "sseennddmmaaiill --qq"
-
command instead.
-
--tt
Extract recipients from message headers. These are added to any
-
recipients specified on the command line.
With Postfix versions prior to 2.1, this option requires that
no recipient addresses are specified on the command line.
-
--UU (ignored)
Initial user submission.
-
-
--VV _e_n_v_i_d
Specify the envelope ID for notification by servers that
-
support DSN.
This feature is available in Postfix 2.3 and later.
-
--XXVV (Postfix 2.2 and earlier: --VV)
Variable Envelope Return Path. Given an envelope sender address
-
of the form _o_w_n_e_r_-_l_i_s_t_n_a_m_e@_o_r_i_g_i_n, each recipient
_u_s_e_r@_d_o_m_a_i_n receives mail with a personalized envelope
sender address.
By default, the personalized envelope sender address is
_o_w_n_e_r_-_l_i_s_t_n_a_m_e++_u_s_e_r==_d_o_m_a_i_n@_o_r_i_g_i_n. The default
++ and == characters are configurable with the
ddeeffaauulltt__vveerrpp__ddeelliimmiitteerrss configuration parameter.
-
--XXVV_x_y (Postfix 2.2 and earlier: --VV_x_y)
As --XXVV, but uses _x and _y as the VERP delimiter
-
characters, instead of the characters specified with the
ddeeffaauulltt__vveerrpp__ddeelliimmiitteerrss configuration parameter.
-
--vv
Send an email report of the first delivery attempt (Postfix
-
versions 2.1 and later). Mail delivery
always happens in the background. When multiple --vv
options are given, enable verbose logging for debugging purposes.
-
--XX _l_o_g___f_i_l_e (ignored)
Log mailer traffic. Use the ddeebbuugg__ppeeeerr__lliisstt and
-
ddeebbuugg__ppeeeerr__lleevveell configuration parameters instead.
SECURITY
By design, this program is not set-user (or group) id. However,
it must handle data from untrusted, possibly remote, users.
Thus, the usual precautions need to be taken against malicious
inputs.
DIAGNOSTICS
Problems are logged to ssyyssllooggdd(8) and to the standard error
stream.
ENVIRONMENT
-
MMAAIILL__CCOONNFFIIGG
Directory with Postfix configuration files.
-
-
MMAAIILL__VVEERRBBOOSSEE (value does not matter)
Enable verbose logging for debugging purposes.
-
-
MMAAIILL__DDEEBBUUGG (value does not matter)
Enable debugging with an external command, as specified with the
-
ddeebbuuggggeerr__ccoommmmaanndd configuration parameter.
-
NNAAMMEE
The sender full name. This is used only with messages that
-
have no FFrroomm:: message header. See also the --FF
option above.
CONFIGURATION PARAMETERS
The following mmaaiinn..ccff parameters are especially relevant to
this program.
The text below provides only a parameter summary. See
ppoossttccoonnff(5) for more details including examples.
TROUBLE SHOOTING CONTROLS
The DEBUG_README file gives examples of how to trouble shoot a
Postfix system.
-
ddeebbuuggggeerr__ccoommmmaanndd ((eemmppttyy))
The external command to execute when a Postfix daemon program is
-
invoked with the -D option.
-
ddeebbuugg__ppeeeerr__lleevveell ((22))
The increment in verbose logging level when a remote client or
-
server matches a pattern in the debug_peer_list parameter.
-
ddeebbuugg__ppeeeerr__lliisstt ((eemmppttyy))
Optional list of remote client or server hostname or network
-
address patterns that cause the verbose logging level to increase
by the amount specified in $debug_peer_level.
ACCESS CONTROLS
Available in Postfix version 2.2 and later:
-
aauutthhoorriizzeedd__fflluusshh__uusseerrss ((ssttaattiicc::aannyyoonnee))
List of users who are authorized to flush the queue.
-
-
aauutthhoorriizzeedd__mmaaiillqq__uusseerrss ((ssttaattiicc::aannyyoonnee))
List of users who are authorized to view the queue.
-
-
aauutthhoorriizzeedd__ssuubbmmiitt__uusseerrss ((ssttaattiicc::aannyyoonnee))
List of users who are authorized to submit mail with the sseennddmmaaiill(1)
-
command (and with the privileged ppoossttddrroopp(1) helper command).
RESOURCE AND RATE CONTROLS
-
bboouunnccee__ssiizzee__lliimmiitt ((5500000000))
The maximal amount of original message text that is sent in a
-
non-delivery notification.
-
ffoorrkk__aatttteemmppttss ((55))
The maximal number of attempts to fork() a child process.
-
-
ffoorrkk__ddeellaayy ((11ss))
The delay between attempts to fork() a child process.
-
-
hhooppccoouunntt__lliimmiitt ((5500))
The maximal number of Received: message headers that is allowed
-
in the primary message headers.
-
qquueeuuee__rruunn__ddeellaayy ((330000ss))
The time between deferred queue scans by the queue manager;
-
prior to Postfix 2.4 the default value was 1000s.
FAST FLUSH CONTROLS
The ETRN_README file describes configuration and operation
details for the Postfix "fast flush" service.
-
ffaasstt__fflluusshh__ddoommaaiinnss (($$rreellaayy__ddoommaaiinnss))
Optional list of destinations that are eligible for per-destination
-
logfiles with mail that is queued to those destinations.
VERP CONTROLS
The VERP_README file describes configuration and operation
details of Postfix support for variable envelope return
path addresses.
-
ddeeffaauulltt__vveerrpp__ddeelliimmiitteerrss ((++==))
The two default VERP delimiter characters.
-
-
vveerrpp__ddeelliimmiitteerr__ffiilltteerr ((--==++))
The characters Postfix accepts as VERP delimiter characters on the
-
Postfix sseennddmmaaiill(1) command line and in SMTP commands.
MISCELLANEOUS CONTROLS
-
aalliiaass__ddaattaabbaassee ((sseeee ''ppoossttccoonnff --dd'' oouuttppuutt))
The alias databases for llooccaall(8) delivery that are updated with
-
"nneewwaalliiaasseess" or with "sseennddmmaaiill --bbii".
-
ccoommmmaanndd__ddiirreeccttoorryy ((sseeee ''ppoossttccoonnff --dd'' oouuttppuutt))
The location of all postfix administrative commands.
-
-
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.
-
-
ddeeffaauulltt__ddaattaabbaassee__ttyyppee ((sseeee ''ppoossttccoonnff --dd'' oouuttppuutt))
The default database type for use in nneewwaalliiaasseess(1), ppoossttaalliiaass(1)
-
and ppoossttmmaapp(1) commands.
-
ddeellaayy__wwaarrnniinngg__ttiimmee ((00hh))
The time after which the sender receives the message headers of
-
mail that is still queued.
-
eennaabbllee__eerrrroorrss__ttoo ((nnoo))
Report mail delivery errors to the address specified with the
-
non-standard Errors-To: message header, instead of the envelope
sender address (this feature is removed with Postfix version 2.2, is
turned off by default with Postfix version 2.1, and is always turned on
with older Postfix versions).
-
mmaaiill__oowwnneerr ((ppoossttffiixx))
The UNIX system account that owns the Postfix queue and most Postfix
-
daemon processes.
-
qquueeuuee__ddiirreeccttoorryy ((sseeee ''ppoossttccoonnff --dd'' oouuttppuutt))
The location of the Postfix top-level queue directory.
-
-
rreemmoottee__hheeaaddeerr__rreewwrriittee__ddoommaaiinn ((eemmppttyy))
Don't rewrite message headers from remote clients at all when
-
this parameter is empty; otherwise, rewrite message headers and
append the specified domain name to incomplete addresses.
-
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
/var/spool/postfix, mail queue
/etc/postfix, configuration files
SEE ALSO
pickup(8), mail pickup daemon
qmgr(8), queue manager
smtpd(8), SMTP server
flush(8), fast flush service
postsuper(1), queue maintenance
postalias(1), create/update/query alias database
postdrop(1), mail posting utility
postfix(1), mail system control
postqueue(1), mail queue control
syslogd(8), system logging
README_FILES
Use "ppoossttccoonnff rreeaaddmmee__ddiirreeccttoorryy" or
"ppoossttccoonnff hhttmmll__ddiirreeccttoorryy" to locate this information.
DEBUG_README, Postfix debugging howto
ETRN_README, Postfix ETRN howto
VERP_README, Postfix VERP howto
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