postfix - Postfix control program

postfix [-Dv] [-c config_dir] command

Controls the operation of the Postfix mail system: start or stop the master(8) daemon, do a health check, and other maintenance.

reserved for the superuser. To submit mail, use the Postfix sendmail(1) command.

Sets up a standardized environment and runs the postfix-script shell script to do the actual work.

When support for multiple Postfix instances is configured, executes the command specified with the multi_instance_wrapper configuration parameter, for each applicable Postfix instance.

check Warn about bad directory/file ownership or permissions, and create missing directories.
start
stop orderly fashion. If possible, running processes are allowed to terminate at their earliest convenience.

Do not use start ; stop to change configuration, use reload

abort Stop the Postfix mail system abruptly. Running processes are signaled to stop immediately.
flush Force delivery: attempt to deliver every message in the deferred mail queue. Normally, attempts to deliver delayed mail happen at regular intervals, the interval doubling after each failed attempt.
Warning: flushing undeliverable mail frequently will result in poor delivery performance of all other mail.
reload Re-read configuration files. Running processes terminate at their earliest convenience.
status Indicate if the Postfix mail system is currently running.
postfix/postfix-script: the Postfix mail system is running: PID: 77073

       
set-permissions [name=value ...] Set the ownership and permissions of Postfix related files and directories, as specified in the postfix-files file. Specify name=value to override and update specific main.cf configuration parameters. Use this, for example, to change the mail_owner or setgid_group setting for an already installed Postfix system. This feature is available in Postfix 2.1 and later. With Postfix 2.0 and earlier, use "$config_directory/post- install set-permissions".
upgrade-configuration [name=value ...] Update the main.cf and master.cf files with information that Postfix needs in order to run: add or update ser- vices, and add or update configuration parameter settings. Specify name=value to override and update specific main.cf configuration parameters. This feature is available in Postfix 2.1 and later. With Postfix 2.0 and earlier, use "$config_directory/postinstall upgrade-configuration".
The following options are implemented:
-c config_dir Read the main.cf and master.cf configuration files in the named directory instead of the default configuration directory. Use this to distinguish between multiple Postfix instances on the same host. With Postfix 2.6 and later, this option forces the postfix(1) command to operate on the specified Postfix instance only. This behavior is inherited by postfix(1) commands that run as a descendant of the current process.
-D (with postfix start only) Run each Postfix daemon under control of a debugger as specified via the debugger_command configuration parameter.
-v Enable verbose logging for debugging purposes. Multiple -v options make the software increasingly verbose.

ENVIRONMENT

The postfix(1) command exports the following environment variables before executing the postfix-script file: MAIL_CONFIG This is set when the -c command-line option is present. With Postfix 2.6 and later, this environment variable forces the postfix(1) command to operate on the specified Postfix instance only. This behavior is inherited by postfix(1) commands that run as a descendant of the cur- rent process. MAIL_VERBOSE This is set when the -v command-line option is present. MAIL_DEBUG This is set when the -D command-line option is present.

CONFIGURATION PARAMETERS

The following main.cf configuration parameters are exported as environment variables with the same names: command_directory (see 'postconf -d' output) The location of all postfix administrative commands. daemon_directory (see 'postconf -d' output) The directory with Postfix support programs and daemon programs. config_directory (see 'postconf -d' output) The default location of the Postfix main.cf and master.cf configuration files. queue_directory (see 'postconf -d' output) The location of the Postfix top-level queue directory. mail_owner (postfix) The UNIX system account that owns the Postfix queue and most Postfix daemon processes. setgid_group (postdrop) The group ownership of set-gid Postfix commands and of group-writable Postfix directories. sendmail_path (see 'postconf -d' output) A Sendmail compatibility feature that specifies the location of the Postfix sendmail(1) command. newaliases_path (see 'postconf -d' output) Sendmail compatibility feature that specifies the location of the newaliases(1) command. mailq_path (see 'postconf -d' output) Sendmail compatibility feature that specifies where the Postfix mailq(1) command is installed. html_directory (see 'postconf -d' output) The location of Postfix HTML files that describe how to build, configure or operate a specific Postfix subsystem or feature. manpage_directory (see 'postconf -d' output) Where the Postfix manual pages are installed. readme_directory (see 'postconf -d' output) The location of Postfix README files that describe how to build, configure or operate a specific Postfix subsys- tem or feature. Available in Postfix version 2.5 and later: data_directory (see 'postconf -d' output) The directory with Postfix-writable data files (for example: caches, pseudo-random numbers). Other configuration parameters: config_directory (see 'postconf -d' output) The default location of the Postfix main.cf and master.cf configuration files. import_environment (see 'postconf -d' output) The list of environment parameters that a Postfix process will import from a non-Postfix parent process. syslog_facility (mail) The syslog facility of Postfix logging. syslog_name (see 'postconf -d' output) The mail system name that is prepended to the process name in syslog records, so that "smtpd" becomes, for exam- ple, "postfix/smtpd". Available in Postfix version 2.6 and later: multi_instance_directories (empty) An optional list of non-default Postfix configuration directories; these directories belong to additional Post- fix instances that share the Postfix executable files and documentation with the default Postfix instance, and that are started, stopped, etc., together with the default Postfix instance. multi_instance_wrapper (empty) The pathname of a multi-instance manager command that the postfix(1) command invokes when the multi_instance_directories parameter value is non-empty. multi_instance_group (empty) The optional instance group name of this Postfix instance. multi_instance_name (empty) The optional instance name of this Postfix instance. multi_instance_enable (no) Allow this Postfix instance to be started, stopped, etc., by a multi-instance manager.

FILES

Prior to Postfix version 2.6, all of the following files were in $config_directory. Some files are now in $dae- mon_directory so that they can be shared among multiple instances that run the same Postfix version. Use the command "postconf config_directory" or "postconf daemon_directory" to expand the names into their actual val- ues. $config_directory/main.cf, Postfix configuration parameters $config_directory/master.cf, Postfix daemon processes $daemon_directory/postfix-files, file/directory permissions $daemon_directory/postfix-script, administrative commands $daemon_directory/post-install, post-installation configuration

SEE ALSO

Commands: postalias(1), create/update/query alias database postcat(1), examine Postfix queue file postconf(1), Postfix configuration utility postfix(1), Postfix control program postkick(1), trigger Postfix daemon postlock(1), Postfix-compatible locking postlog(1), Postfix-compatible logging postmap(1), Postfix lookup table manager postmulti(1), Postfix multi-instance manager postqueue(1), Postfix mail queue control postsuper(1), Postfix housekeeping mailq(1), Sendmail compatibility interface newaliases(1), Sendmail compatibility interface sendmail(1), Sendmail compatibility interface Postfix configuration: bounce(5), Postfix bounce message templates master(5), Postfix master.cf file syntax postconf(5), Postfix main.cf file syntax postfix-wrapper(5), Postfix multi-instance API Table-driven mechanisms: access(5), Postfix SMTP access control table aliases(5), Postfix alias database canonical(5), Postfix input address rewriting generic(5), Postfix output address rewriting header_checks(5), body_checks(5), Postfix content inspection relocated(5), Users that have moved transport(5), Postfix routing table virtual(5), Postfix virtual aliasing Table lookup mechanisms: cidr_table(5), Associate CIDR pattern with value ldap_table(5), Postfix LDAP client memcache_table(5), Postfix memcache client mysql_table(5), Postfix MYSQL client nisplus_table(5), Postfix NIS+ client pcre_table(5), Associate PCRE pattern with value pgsql_table(5), Postfix PostgreSQL client regexp_table(5), Associate POSIX regexp pattern with value sqlite_table(5), Postfix SQLite database driver tcp_table(5), Postfix client-server table lookup Daemon processes: anvil(8), Postfix connection/rate limiting bounce(8), defer(8), trace(8), Delivery status reports cleanup(8), canonicalize and enqueue message discard(8), Postfix discard delivery agent dnsblog(8), DNS black/whitelist logger error(8), Postfix error delivery agent flush(8), Postfix fast ETRN service local(8), Postfix local delivery agent master(8), Postfix master daemon oqmgr(8), old Postfix queue manager pickup(8), Postfix local mail pickup pipe(8), deliver mail to non-Postfix command postscreen(8), Postfix zombie blocker proxymap(8), Postfix lookup table proxy server qmgr(8), Postfix queue manager qmqpd(8), Postfix QMQP server scache(8), Postfix connection cache manager showq(8), list Postfix mail queue smtp(8), lmtp(8), Postfix SMTP+LMTP client smtpd(8), Postfix SMTP server spawn(8), run non-Postfix server tlsmgr(8), Postfix TLS cache and randomness manager tlsproxy(8), Postfix TLS proxy server trivial-rewrite(8), Postfix address rewriting verify(8), Postfix address verification virtual(8), Postfix virtual delivery agent Other: syslogd(8), system logging

README FILES Use "postconf readme_directory" or "postconf html_directory" to locate this information. OVERVIEW, overview of Postfix commands and processes BASIC_CONFIGURATION_README, Postfix basic configuration ADDRESS_REWRITING_README, Postfix address rewriting SMTPD_ACCESS_README, SMTP relay/access control CONTENT_INSPECTION_README, Postfix content inspection QSHAPE_README, Postfix queue analysis


/System/Library/LaunchDaemons/com.apple.postfix.master.plist



       master - Postfix master process

       master [-Ddtvw] [-c config_dir] [-e exit_time]

       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 master(8) daemon is controlled by the master.cf configuration file, as described in master(5).


       -c config_dir
              Read  the  main.cf and master.cf configuration files in the named directory instead of the default configuration
              directory.  This also overrides the configuration files for other Postfix daemon processes.

       -D     After initialization, run a debugger on the master process, specified with the debugger_command in the main.cf global configuration file.

       -d     Do  not redirect stdin, stdout or stderr to /dev/null, and do not discard the controlling terminal. debugging only.

       -e exit_time Terminate the master process after exit_time seconds. Child processes terminate at their convenience.

       -t     Test mode. Return a zero exit status when the master.pid lock file does not exist  or  when  that  file  is  not
              locked.  This is evidence that the master(8) daemon is not running.

       -v     Enable  verbose logging for debugging purposes. passed to child processes. Multiple -v options increase verbose.

       -w     Wait in a dummy foreground process, while the real master daemon initializes in a background process.  The dummy
              foreground  process returns a zero exit status only if the master daemon initialization is successful, and if it
              completes in a reasonable amount of time.


       Signals:

       SIGHUP Upon receipt of a HUP signal (e.g., after "postfix reload"),  the  master  process  re-reads  its  configuration
              files.  If a service has been removed from the master.cf 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.

       SIGTERM Upon  receipt  of  a  TERM  signal (e.g., after "postfix abort"), 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 ("postfix stop") and allow running processes to finish what they are doing.

DIAGNOSTICS
       Problems are reported to syslogd(8). The exit status is non-zero in case of problems, including problems while initial-
       izing as a master daemon process in the background.

ENVIRONMENT
       MAIL_DEBUG
              After initialization, start a debugger as specified with the debugger_command  configuration  parameter  in  the
              main.cf configuration file.

       MAIL_CONFIG
              Directory with Postfix configuration files.

CONFIGURATION PARAMETERS
       Unlike  most  Postfix daemon processes, the master(8) server does not automatically pick up changes to main.cf. 
        Use "postfix reload" after a configuration change.

RESOURCE AND RATE CONTROLS
       default_process_limit (100) The default maximal number of Postfix child processes that provide a given service.

       max_idle (100s) maximum amount of time that an idle process waits for an incoming connection before terminating 

       max_use (100) maximal number of incoming connections before terminating 

       service_throttle_time (60s) How long the Postfix master(8) waits before forking a server that appears to be malfunctioning.

       master_service_disable (empty)
              Selectively disable master(8) listener ports by service type or by service name and type.

MISCELLANEOUS CONTROLS
       config_directory (see 'postconf -d' output) default location of main.cf and master.cf configuration files.

       daemon_directory (see 'postconf -d' output) directory with support programs and daemon programs.

       debugger_command (empty) external command to execute when a daemon program is invoked with the -D option.

       inet_interfaces (all) network interface addresses that this mail system receives mail on.

       inet_protocols (all) Internet protocols Postfix will attempt to use when making or accepting connections.

       import_environment (see 'postconf -d' output) list of environment parameters imported from a non-Postfix parent process.

       mail_owner (postfix) UNIX system account that owns the queue and most daemons

       process_id (read-only) process ID of a Postfix command or daemon process.

       process_name (read-only) process name of a command or daemon process.

       queue_directory (see 'postconf -d' output) location of the Postfix top-level queue directory.

       syslog_facility (mail) The syslog facility of Postfix logging.

       syslog_name (see 'postconf -d' output) prefix that is prepended to the process name in syslog so "smtpd"  becomes  "prefix/smtpd".

FILES
       To expand the directory names below into their actual values, use the command "postconf config_directory" 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 file syntax
       syslogd(8), system logging