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Problems with mail

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8 replies

by vmisanovic

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Our network has a server running Linux Rad Hat 7.0 and Samba; and two gateways. On one gateway is a firewall, another is a mail gateway. We use a DSL line for Internet connection. PCs have Windows 2000 or Windows NT OS. Network worked well for a while, and then the problems started. In the morning, when I come, I cannot read my e-mail (our mail server is not available), although I can log in and retrieve data from server. When I reboot computers IN PARTICULAR ORDER (gw2, gw1 and finally server) after 5 minutes I can retrieve my mail. Any idea what is wrong? ONCE AGAIN, IT ALWAYS HAPPEN DURING THE NIGHT.

8 replies

by bg4

A bit more information would be helpful. When the problem occurs, can you ping the two gateways and the server? Is this common to all workstations, 2000 and NT? Are you running DNS, DHCP or just a "hosts" file?

Rod.

by rob

I can't tell very much from the description, but the "reboot in a certain order" story sounds like a problem with DNS. Rebooting of GW1 and GW2 in a specific order implies that at least one of the server's is the email server's primary DNS server and the other machine might be the secondary DNS server. I had I simular problem like this when I discovered I error in my DNS configs.

by rob

Another posibility: What type and version of email server are you running? What version of Linux? I see alot of malicious attempts of Nimbda type worms trying to penetrate my firewalls and web servers. You not only need to make sure you have a good firewall policy but also that your software is up to date with the latest patches. Your DNS server and/or web servers can bomb if they are attacked. This is much less likely if your software is up to date.
Also, be sure to look at your system logs for clues.

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