Failed to listen on network

[Ceesjan van Hattum]

I installed ISOCOR for messaging through tcp/ip.
Starting up the MTA as root, does not give me any problems, but using a 'normal' user is not succesfull. While starting up the MTA, it gives me the error: "Failed to listen on network".
In of the ini-files i see that it makes use of /dev/inet_cots, which is a softlink to /dev/tcp.
Changing permissions and ownerships here, or setting up as a hard link does not make any difference..

Anybody any clue ?

[Steven Gillard_2]

Not sure about the software you're using, but perhaps its trying to bind to port 25 as a non-root user? Can you confirm exactly whats going wrong with a tusc trace?

Regards,
Steve

[Jeff Schussele · Accepted solution]

Hi Ceesjan,

As Steven has pointed out, all ports < 1024 can only be bound to by root or root level users. Don't think there's anyway around this.

Rgds,
Jeff

[Ceesjan van Hattum]

okay, i was a bit short in supplying information.
I'm using isocor to set up some MTA's (messaging).
The executable x400mta can be started by root without a problem. I only want to test messaging using tcp, no x25 or others.
The default port is 'tsap 102/tcp'.
The mta uses /usr/lib/isocor/isostack.ini, telling him the device to be used:
[rfc1006]
tcp=/dev/inet_cots

Under HPUX10.20 it is just a normal looking characterdevice:
crw-rw-rw 1 root sys 72 0x00007a
On HPUX11.00 it is a link:
lrw-rw-rw 1 root sys /dev/inet_cots -> /dev/tcp
.. and /dev/tcp is
crw-rw-rw 1 root sys 72 0x000082

The used files are all set with the permissions according to the manual; and maybe i'm looking at the wrong things.. i don't know..
Starting up the mta as a non-root user goes like this:

$> ./x400mta -d /contrib/prod/run/OBSWITCH3 OBSWITCH3
ISOPLEX version 4.4.4 HP-UX 11 Release 1.23
Copyright (c) 1994-1999, ISOCOR
[x400@prodob2]
Failed to listen on network

$> echo $?
0

.. and no mta running..

[Ceesjan van Hattum]

THANKS, I had to use a port like 10002 (instead of 102).
Although not set in /etc/services but in some ini-file (like mtalist), i now communicate above 1024.
Thanks again !!
Greetings,
Ceesjan
(again a case closed)