Internet Shopper - Development on Mail Server for NT
Here we list the development of work on the mail server for NT. You
will find the status of each addtion and which release it should
be in. This list will continually evolve and when a new release
is made, the instructions will be updated and the old version's
instructions archived (they will still be available).
Changes Planned for Version 2.06
Mail Read flag
Most POP3 client support the ability to leave the mail on the server
rather than down loading it. Currently the POP3 service does not
mark the mail as read so everytime the client checks, it thinks there
is new mail!
UUCP mail box name
Add "U" as a new mailbox type for receiving mail and doing nothing
with it.
Execute an executable
Add "C" to execute a system command when mail arrives.
Immprovements in progres
Add gateway to Microsoft Mail
I understand (I had a glance at the paper-work) that this
is not too difficult. So one day it may happen. However,
judging by how difficult I have found some other documentation
that MicroSoft have produced...
Return dead mail
If mail has not been delivered after a certain pre-determined
time, it should be returned to the sender. Currently it
will wait indefinately.
Ideaas still to implement
MX records
Currently the mail software does not use MX records
when resolving an address. This needs to be added but
I have been unable to find any explanation of how it
should be done. I have some code from a sendmail server
but have been unable to untangle the web of C to find out
what it was doing.
Use local time in time stamps rather than GMT
Need I say more!
Add other things to do with mail when it arrives
Currently when mail arrives it is either sent back out
or placed in a mailbox (action "MBX:"). I would like to
add two more (at least):
- EXE: Run an executable. The server would save the message
in a file and run the executable with the file name as the
last parameter. There are obviously security issues at stake
here!
- Store and forward (see below).
Add help
I think what is needed here is kind of obvious!
Program to send mail
A utlity to send mail via the SMTP server from the command line.
Store and Forward
This is a large addition but potentially very useful one for those
people who are providing internet access. This improvement would
allow you to collect mail on one NT machine and when a user dials
in, allow him to request mail which will be sent down to his
machine and distributed as expected. This extra work would be
carried out by a new server called "collect" which would go to
the mail server and ask for its mail. This will be independant
of IP address.
Always goto inteligent gateway
Add an option so that POSTD simply sends directly to another
gateway rather than trying to deliver the mail itself.
(Cosmik Debris)
IMAP Daemon
Add a new server to support IMAP compliant mail readers. IMAP
is a protocol that allows mail to remain on the server rather than
being down loaded to a receiving computer. In a large origanisation
this means you could access you mail from any computer rather than
have to be at your machine.
Mail waiting program
A simple program that would show a couple of "Lights" if there
is mail waiting to be sent and when it is being sent...
webmaster@net-shopper.co.uk (3rd March 1995)