Migrating sendmail....

[Tomas Martinez]

How or what do I transfer from one sendmail server to another sendmail server as to completely migrate all sendmail configuration. We currently have 4 sendmail servers that we want to replace with new hardware. Is it as easy as copying over a few files, in regards to sendmail and all it good? These are nothing more than relay servers. Fairly new to sendmail so please let me know if there is any other information I need to provide. Many thanks in advance for all help....tomas

[Vernon Brown_4]

Depending upon your distro, the config may be slightly different. On Fedora Core 3 and most RedHat distro's, some files you will need are



/etc/aliases
/etc/mail/sendmail.mc
/etc/mail/access

After copying you need to run make from the command line from within the /etc/mail directory.

make

Then you will need to start sendmail itself

service sendmail start

you will need to get an email client like pop3 running.

That's just off the top of my head. I've done it several times. It gets pretty easy after the first couple of days of utter frustration.

Vern

[Vitaly Karasik_1]

I'll suggest to copy all files /etc/mail directory plus /etc/sendmail.cf & /etc/aliases

[Ivajlo Yanakiev]

If you use RedHat 9 or new you do not need to copy sendmail.cf but sendmail.mc.
Also mail is closer connect with DNS.
check you dns and host files :
/etc/named.conf
/etc/hosts
/etc/nsswitch.conf
/etc/resolv.conf

next check your routing tables for static records:
#route

next
if you use plugins like antivirus you should
care and copy all connectet files.

Last :) do not delete any files from old server until your new server work 1-2 days

P.S did i say tou that new server must be with same IP address like old one ?
keep in mind that you must unplug old server before star new - ip conflict

[Ivan Ferreira]

If the same sendmail version will be used, you need to copy:

All files in /etc/mail
/etc/aliases

If is not the same version, copy all the files, verify the sendmail.mc configuration, and run the m4 utility again to generate the .cf file:

m4 sendmail.mc > sendmail.cf

If the mailboxes are stored on the server, you also need to copy the files in:

/var/spool/mail

Ensure that the owners and the permissions of the files are the same.

You also need to sync the /etc/passwd, /etc/shadow, /etc/group file, if you use local authentication.

[Tomas Martinez]

currently running sendmail 8.11.6 on a Red Hat Linux release 7.1 (Seawolf) server.

upgrading to a sendmail 8.12.11 on a Red Hat Enterprise Linux AS release 3 (Taroon Update 5) server.

[Steven E. Protter · Accepted solution]

You have to copy over the configuration files.

The actual mail itself in /var/mail can be a problem.

You should be able to move the mail.

You have to copy over the configuration files and if you are useing sendmail.mc macros, rebuild the sendmail.cf file based on your customizations.

SEP

[Ivajlo Yanakiev]

You no need to use m4 manualy.
New Redhat do this for you every time you start #service sendmail start.

[Tomas Martinez]

Thanks you to everyone who comtributed to this thread. I believe I have enough to move forward....thanks again, tomas