• Chapter 9: Backup and Restore Instructions
  • 9.1 Backing Up the Mail System
    • 9.1.1 Post.Office Full System Backup for OSX
  • 9.2 Restoring the Mail System
    • 9.2.1 Restoring the Mail System on OSX

Backup and Restore Instructions

This chapter is intended to assist you in backing up and restoring the files that make up Post.Office mail system. The topics discussed in this chapter include:

• Backing up and restoring Post.Office

9.1 Backing Up the Mail System

How many times have you been told to back up your system? Well, you’re about to be told again. The importance of this safety precaution cannot be overemphasized. True, Post.Office runs flawlessly most of the time, but that occasional hardware failure still needs to be considered.

The frequency with which you back up your system is determined by the specific characteristics of your installation (the amount of mail processed per day, the potential importance of a single message, the time required to execute a backup, etc.). You should review the standard practices established at your site for guidance in determining how often to back up your mail server.

When backing up the Post.Office files we advise that you do the following:

• Observe our naming conventions for ease of reference. This is not required, but it will make your life easier should you ever need to use the restoration instructions. (Those instructions assume use of our recommended names.)
• Store all backup files on another host.
• Store all files relating to a single backup in the same directory.

9.1.1Post.Office Full System Backup for UNIX

Backup Instructions:

These instructions assume that you have installed Post.Office in the default locations which are /usr/local/post.office (program executables), /var/spool/post.office (the spooling directories), and /var/spool/mailbox (the pop/IMAP mailbox directory). If you selected other locations you will need to adjust the instructions accordingly. To determine the current locations of your Post.Office, Program, and Mailbox directories list the contents of the /etc/post.office.conf file.

1. Log on as root.
2. Shutdown Post.Office by typing:

   /usr/local/post.office/post.office  shutdown

3. Back up the following items making sure to maintain permissions and links:
   • /var/spool/post.office (the Post.Office account and configuration information)
   • /var/spool/mailbox (the mailbox information)
   • /etc/post.office.conf (your configuration file)

9.2 Restoring the Mail System

Restoring your mail server is a relatively painless process, provided you took the precaution of making regular backups. The instructions that follow assume the existence of the required backup files.

9.2.1 Restoring the Mail System on OSX

The restoration instructions guide you in replacing the current copies of the Program, Spooling, and Mailbox directories with the versions you stored after your last backup. To determine the current locations of your Program, Spooling, and Mailbox directories list the contents of the /etc/post.office.conf file.

Restoration Instructions:

If you backed up your Post.Office system as instructed (see Section 9.1.1), you should have copies of the following items:

• your Post.Office account and configuration information
• your mailbox information
• your configuration file

Assuming you took that precaution, please:

1. Install Post.Office on the new system,.
2. If Post.Office is running , shut it down by typing:

   /usr/local/post.office shutdown

3. Restore the two file system directories (containing the Post.Office account and configuration information, and your mailbox information), as well as the configuration file from your backup, on top of the current versions. Remember to maintain permissions and links. Note:If you run into ownership or permission problems, it’s possible that executing a chown or chgrp on the copied files and assigning ownership to your Post.Office user (mta) and group (mta) will be enough. The required permissions for UNIX are listed in the Post.Office FAQ for your review (http://wwww.tenon.com).
4. If you are currently using Program Delivery you will need to re-enable that feature by typing:

   chmod u+s /usr/local/post.office/local/Program-Deliver
   
   rm /usr/local/post.office/trusted/NO-PROGRAM-DELIVERIES

   Caution:There are security issues associated with the use of Program Delivery. Please read Chapter 6 of the Post.Office manual to ensure you understand those issues before enabling this feature..