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Configuring Sendmail

  • Sendmail configuration file is usually /etc/sendmail.cf or /etc/mail/sendmail.cf
  • Syntax is terse, arcane. Easy to make mistakes!
  • When possible, use a macro configuration file (e.g. localhost.mc), compiled by the m4 macro processor
  • On some systems, original .mc file is not present
  • Often, OS includes a Makefile with targets for build, install; e.g. make localhost.install
  • Remember to restart Sendmail after rebuilding!

  • kill -HUP `head -1 /var/run/sendmail.pid`
  • For tips, see http://www.sendmail.org, Costales & Allman (O'Reilly's "Bat book")