From d5d2d51aa6e207a723ba774b0dc26c9c27848c9a Mon Sep 17 00:00:00 2001 From: bwarsaw <> Date: Mon, 13 Dec 2004 06:08:39 +0000 Subject: Moved the bulk of installation instructions, along with mail server and operating system specific notes into a new latex manual. This process isn't complete, but I'm tired and want to get this stuff into CVS asap. This should provide much better documentation organization for Mailman 2.1.6 and for the list.org web site. --- doc/mailman-install.tex | 1134 +++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++ 1 file changed, 1134 insertions(+) create mode 100644 doc/mailman-install.tex (limited to 'doc') diff --git a/doc/mailman-install.tex b/doc/mailman-install.tex new file mode 100644 index 00000000..0c6aa2ad --- /dev/null +++ b/doc/mailman-install.tex @@ -0,0 +1,1134 @@ +\documentclass{howto} + +\title{GNU Mailman - Installation Manual} +\author{Barry Warsaw} +\authoraddress{\email{barry(at)python.org}} + +\date{\today} +\release{2.1} % software release, not documentation +\setreleaseinfo{} % empty for final release +\setshortversion{2.1} % major.minor only for software + +\begin{document} + +\maketitle + +% This makes the Abstract go on a separate page in the HTML version; +% if a copyright notice is used, it should go immediately after this. +% +\ifhtml +\chapter*{Front Matter\label{front}} +\fi + +\begin{abstract} +\noindent +This document describes how to install GNU Mailman on a POSIX-based system +such as \UNIX{}, MacOSX, or GNU/Linux. It will cover basic installation +instructions, as well as guidelines for integrating Mailman with your web and +mail servers. + +The GNU Mailman website is at \url{http://www.list.org} +\end{abstract} + +% The ugly "%begin{latexonly}" pseudo-environment supresses the table +% of contents for HTML generation. +% +%begin{latexonly} +\tableofcontents +%end{latexonly} + + +\section{Installation Requirements} + +GNU Mailman works on most POSIX-based systems such as \UNIX{}, MacOSX, or +GNU/Linux. It does not currently work on Windows. You must have a mail +server that you can send messages to, and a web server that supports the +CGI/1.1 API. \ulink{Apache}{http://httpd.apache.org} makes a fine choice for +web server, and mail servers such as +\ulink{Postfix}{http://www.postfix.org}, +\ulink{Exim}{http://www.exim.org}, +\ulink{Sendmail}{http://www.sendmail.org}, and +\ulink{qmail}{http://cr.yp.to/qmail.html} should +work just fine. + +To install Mailman from source, you will need an ANSI C compiler to build +Mailman's security wrappers. The +\ulink{GNU C compiler gcc}{http://gcc.gnu.org} 2.8.1 or later is known +to work well. + +You must have the \ulink{Python}{http://www.python.org} interpreter installed +somewhere on your system. Mailman 2.1 requires Python 2.1 or newer, although +Python 2.3 or newer is recommended. + +\section{Setting up your system} + +Before installing Mailman, you need to prepare your system by adding certain +users and groups. You will need to have root privileges to perform the steps +in this section. + +\subsection{Adding the group and user} + +Mailman requires a unique user and group name which will own its files, and +under which its processes will run. Mailman's basic security is based on +group ownership permissions, so it's important to get this step +right\footnote{You will be able to check and repair your permissions after +installation is complete.}. Typically, you will add a new user and a new +group, both called \code{mailman}. The \code{mailman} user must be a member +of the \code{mailman} group. Mailman will be installed under the +\code{mailman} user and group, with the set-group-id (setgid) bit enabled. + +If these names are already in use, you can choose different user and group +names, as long as you remember these when you run \program{configure}. If you +choose a different unique user name, you will have to specify this with +\program{configure}'s \longprogramopt{with-username} option, and if you choose +a different group name, you will have to specify this with +\program{configure}'s \longprogramopt{with-groupname} option. + +On Linux systems, you can use the following commands to create these +accounts. Check your system's manual pages for details: + +\begin{verbatim} + % groupadd mailman + % useradd -c''GNU Mailman'' -s /no/shell -d /no/home -g mailman mailman +\end{verbatim} + +\subsection{Creating the installation directory\label{create-install-dir}} +Typically, Mailman is installed into a single directory, which includes both +the Mailman source code and the run-time list and archive data. It is +possible to split the static program files from the variable data files and +install them in separate directories. This section will describe the +available options. + +The default is to install all of Mailman to +\file{/usr/local/mailman}\footnote{This is the default for Mailman 2.1. +Earlier versions of Mailman installed everything under \file{/home/mailman} by +default.}. You can change this base installation directory (referred to here +as \var{\$prefix}) by specifying the directory with the +\longprogramopt{prefix} \program{configure} option. If you're upgrading from +a previous version of Mailman, you may want to use the \longprogramopt{prefix} +option unless you move your mailing lists. + +\begin{notice}[warning] +You cannot install Mailman on a filesystem that is mounted with the +\code{nosuid} option. This will break Mailman, which relies on setgid +programs for its security. If this describes your environment, simply install +Mailman in a location that allows setgid programs. +\end{notice} + +Make sure the installation directory is set to group \code{mailman} (or +whatever you're going to specify with \longprogramopt{with-groupname}) and has +the setgid bit set\footnote{BSD users should see the \ref{bsd-issues} section +for additional information.}. You probably also want to guarantee that this +directory is readable and executable by everyone. For example, these shell +commands will accomplish this: + +\begin{verbatim} + % cd $prefix + % chgrp mailman . + % chmod a+rx,g+ws . +\end{verbatim} + +You are now ready to configure and install the Mailman software. + +\section{Building and installing\label{building}} + +\subsection{Running \program{configure}} + +Before you can install Mailman, you must run \program{configure} to set +various installation options your system might need. + +\begin{notice}[note] +Take special note of the \longprogramopt{with-mail-gid} and +\longprogramopt{with-cgi-gid} options below. You will probably need to use +these. +\end{notice} + +You should \strong{not} be root while performing the steps in this section. +Do them under your own login, or whatever account you typically use to install +software. You do not need to do these steps as user \code{mailman}, but you +could. However, make sure that the login used is a member of the +\code{mailman} group as that that group has write permissions to the +\var{\$prefix} directory made in the previous step. You must also have +permission to create a setgid file in the file system where it resides (NFS +and other mounts can be configured to inhibit setgid settings). + +If you've installed other GNU software, you should be familiar with the +\program{configure} script. Usually you can just \program{cd} to the +directory you unpacked the Mailman source tarball into, and run +\program{configure} with no arguments: + +\begin{verbatim} + % cd mailman- + % ./configure + % make install +\end{verbatim} + +The following options allow you to customize your Mailman +installation. + +\begin{description} +\item[\longprogramopt{prefix}=\var{dir}] + Standard GNU configure option which changes the base directory that + Mailman is installed into. By default \var{\$prefix} is + \file{/usr/local/mailman}. This directory must already exist, and be set + up as described in \ref{create-install-dir}. + +\item[\longprogramopt{exec-prefix}=\var{dir}] + Standard GNU configure option which lets you specify a different + installation directory for architecture dependent binaries. + +\item[\longprogramopt{with-var-prefix}=\var{dir}] + Store mutable data under \var{dir} instead of under the \var{\$prefix} or + \var{\$exec_prefix}. Examples of such data include the list archives and + list settings database. + +\item[\longprogramopt{with-python}=\file{/path/to/python}] + Specify an alternative Python interpreter to use for the wrapper programs. + The default is to use the interpreter found first on your shell's + \var{\$PATH}. + +\item[\longprogramopt{with-username}=\var{username-or-uid}] + Specify a different username than \code{mailman}. The value of this + option can be an integer user id or a user name. Be sure your + \var{\$prefix} directory is owned by this user. + +\item[\longprogramopt{with-groupname}=\var{groupname-or-gid}] + Specify a different groupname than \code{mailman}. The value of this + option can be an integer group id or a group name. Be sure your + \var{\$prefix} directory is group-owned by this group. + +\item[\longprogramopt{with-mail-gid}=\var{group-or-groups}] + Specify an alternative group for running scripts via the mail wrapper. + \var{group-or-groups} can be a list of one or more integer group ids or + symbolic group names. The first value in the list that resolves to an + existing group is used. By default, the value is the list \code{mailman}, + \code{other}, \code{mail}, and \code{daemon}. + + \begin{notice}[note] + This is highly system dependent and you must get this right, because the + group id is compiled into the mail wrapper program for added security. On + systems using \program{sendmail}, the \file{sendmail.cf} configuration + file designates the group id of \program{sendmail} processes using the + \var{DefaultUser} option. (If commented out, it still may be indicating + the default...) + \end{notice} + + Check your mail server's documentation and configuration files to find the + right value for this switch. + +\item[\longprogramopt{with-cgi-gid}=\var{group-or-groups}] + Specify an alternative group for running scripts via the CGI wrapper. + \var{group-or-groups} can be a list of one or more integer group ids or + symbolic group names. The first value in the list that resolves to an + existing group is used. By default, the value is the the list + \code{www}, \code{www-data}, and \code{nobody}. + + \begin{notice}[note] + The proper value for this is dependent on your web server configuration. + You must get this right, because the group id is compiled into the CGI + wrapper program for added security, and no Mailman CGI scripts will run if + this is incorrect. + \end{notice} + + If you're using Apache, check the values for the \var{Group} option in + your \file{httpd.conf} file. + +\item[\longprogramopt{with-cgi-ext}=\var{extension}] + Specify an extension for cgi-bin programs. The CGI wrappers placed in + \file{\var{\$prefix}/cgi-bin} will have this extension (some web servers + require an extension). \var{extension} must include the leading dot. + +\item[\longprogramopt{with-mailhost}=\var{hostname}] + Specify the fully qualified host name part for outgoing email. After the + installation is complete, this value can be overriden in + \file{\var{\$prefix}/Mailman/mm_cfg.py}. + +\item[\longprogramopt{with-urlhost}=\var{hostname}] + Specify the fully qualified host name part of urls. After the + installation is complete, this value can be overriden in + \file{\var{\$prefix}/Mailman/mm_cfg.py}. + +\item[\longprogramopt{with-gcc}=no] + Don't use gcc, even if it is found. In this case, \program{cc} must be + found on your \var{\$PATH}. + +\end{description} + +\subsection{Make and install} + +Once you've run \program{configure}, you can simply run \program{make}, then +\program{make install} to build and install Mailman. + +\section{Check your installation} + +After you've run \program{make install}, you should check that your +installation has all the correct permissions and group ownerships by running +the \program{check_perms} script. First change to the installation +(i.e. \var{\$prefix}) directory, then run the \program{bin/check_perms} +program. Don't try to run bin/check_perms from the source directory; it will +only run from the installation directory. + +If this reports no problems, then it's very likely that your +installation is set up correctly. If it reports problems, then you can either +fix them manually, re-run the installation, or use \program{bin/check_perms} +to fix the problems (probably the easiest solution): + +\begin{itemize} +\item You need to become the user that did the installation, and that owns all + the files in \var{\$prefix}, or root. + +\item Run \program{bin/check_perms -f} + +\item Repeat previous step until no more errors are reported! +\end{itemize} + +\section{Setting up your web server} + +Congratulations! You've installed the Mailman software. To get everything +running you need to hook Mailman up to both your web server and your mail +system. + +If you plan on running your mail and web servers on different machines, +sharing Mailman installations via NFS, be sure that the clocks on those two +machines are synchronized closely. You might take a look at the file +\file{Mailman/LockFile.py}; the constant \var{CLOCK_SLOP} helps the locking +mechanism compensate for clock skew in this type of environment. + +This section describes some of the things you need to do to connect Mailman's +web interface to your web server. The instructions here are somewhat geared +toward the Apache web server, so you should consult your web server +documentation for details. + +You must configure your web server to enable CGI script permission in the +\file{\var{\$prefix}/cgi-bin} to run CGI scripts. The line you should add +might look something like the following, with the real absolute directory +substituted for \var{\$prefix}, of course: + +\begin{verbatim} + Exec /mailman/* $prefix/cgi-bin/* +\end{verbatim} +% $ - emacs turd + + or: + +\begin{verbatim} + ScriptAlias /mailman/ $prefix/cgi-bin/ +\end{verbatim} +% $ - emacs turd + +\begin{notice}[warning] +You want to be very sure that the user id under which your CGI scripts run is +\strong{not} in the \code{mailman} group you created above, otherwise private +archives will be accessible to anyone. +\end{notice} + +Copy the Mailman, Python, and GNU logos to a location accessible to your web +server. E.g. with Apache, you've usually got an \file{icons} directory that +you can drop the images into. For example: + +\begin{verbatim} + % cp $prefix/icons/*.{jpg,png} /path/to/apache/icons +\end{verbatim} + +You then want to add a line to your \file{\var{\$prefix}/Mailman/mm_cfg.py} +file which sets the base URL for the logos. For example: + +\begin{verbatim} + IMAGE_LOGOS = '/images/' +\end{verbatim} + +The default value for \var{IMAGE_LOGOS} is \file{/icons/}. Read the comment +in \file{Defaults.py.in} for details. + +Configure your web server to point to the Pipermail public mailing list +archives. For example, in Apache: + +\begin{verbatim} + Alias /pipermail/ $varprefix/archives/public/ +\end{verbatim} +% $ - emacs turd + +where \var{\$varprefix} is usually \var{\$prefix} unless you've used the +\longprogramopt{with-var-prefix} option to \program{configure}. Also be +sure to configure your web server to follow symbolic links in this directory, +otherwise public Pipermail archives won't be accessible. For Apache users, +consult the \var{FollowSymLinks} option. + +If you're going to be supporting internationalized public archives, you will +probably want to turn off any default charset directive for the Pipermail +directory, otherwise your multilingual archive pages won't show up correctly. +Here's an example for Apache, based on the standard installation directories: + +\begin{verbatim} + + AddDefaultCharset Off + +\end{verbatim} + +Now restart your web server. + +\section{Setting up your mail server\label{mail-server}} + +This section describes some of the things you need to do to connect Mailman's +email interface to your mail server. The instructions here are different for +each mail server; if your mail server is not described in the following +subsections, try to generalize from the existing documentation, and consider +contributing documentation updates to the Mailman developers. + +\subsection{Using the Postfix mail server} + +Mailman should work pretty much out of the box with a standard Postfix +installation. It has been tested with various Postfix versions up to and +including Postfix 2.1.5. + +By default, Postfix treats \code{-owner} and \code{-request} addresses +specially. Since you want Postfix to deliver such messages to Mailman, you +should turn off this option by adding this to your \file{main.cf} file: + +\begin{verbatim} + owner_request_special = no +\end{verbatim} + +In order to support Mailman's optional VERP delivery, you will want to disable +\code{luser_relay} (the default) and you will want to set +\code{recipient_delimiter} for extended address semantics. You should comment +out any \code{luser_relay} value in your \file{main.cf} and just go with the +defaults. Also, add this to your \file{main.cf} file: + +\begin{verbatim} + recipient_delimiter = + +\end{verbatim} + +Using \samp{+} as the delimiter works well with the default values for +\var{VERP_FORMAT} and \var{VERP_REGEXP} in \file{Defaults.py}. + +When attempting to deliver a message to a non-existent local address, Postfix +may return a 450 error code. Since this is a transient error code, Mailman +will continue to attempt to deliver the message for +\var{DELIVERY_RETRY_PERIOD} -- 5 days by default. You might want to set +Postfix up so that it returns permanent error codes for non-existent local +users by adding the following to your \file{main.cf} file: + +\begin{verbatim} + unknown_local_recipient_reject_code = 550 +\end{verbatim} + +Finally, if you are using Postfix-style virtual domains, read the section on +virtual domain support below. + +\subsubsection{Integrating Postfix and Mailman} + +You can integrate Postfix and Mailman such that when new lists are created, or +lists are removed, Postfix's alias database will be automatically updated. +The following are the steps you need to take to make this work. + +In the description below, we assume that you've installed Mailman in the +default location, i.e. \file{/usr/local/mailman}. If that's not the case, +adjust the instructions according to your use of \program{configure}'s +\longprogramopt{prefix} and \longprogramopt{with-var-prefix} options. + +\begin{notice}[note] +If you are using virtual domains and you want Mailman to honor your virtual +domains, read the \ref{postfix-virtual} section below first! +\end{notice} + +\begin{itemize} +\item Add this to the bottom of the \file{\var{\$prefix}/Mailman/mm_cfg.py} + file: + + \begin{verbatim} + MTA = 'Postfix' + \end{verbatim} + + The MTA variable names a module in the \file{Mailman/MTA} directory + which contains the mail server-specific functions to be executed when a + list is created or removed. + +\item Look at the \file{Defaults.py} file for the variables + \var{POSTFIX_ALIAS_CMD} and \var{POSTFIX_MAP_CMD} command. Make sure + these point to your \program{postalias} and \program{postmap} programs + respectively. Remember that if you need to make changes, do it in + \file{mm_cfg.py}. + +\item Run the \program{bin/genaliases} script to initialize your + \file{aliases} file. + + \begin{verbatim} + % cd /usr/local/mailman + % bin/genaliases + \end{verbatim} + + Make sure that the owner of the \file{data/aliases} and + \file{data/aliases.db} file is \code{mailman} and that the group owner + for those files is \code{mailman}, or whatever user and group you used + in the configure command: + + \begin{verbatim} + % su + % chown mailman:mailman data/aliases* + \end{verbatim} + +\item Hack your Postfix's \file{main.cf} file to include the following path in + your \var{alias_maps} variable: + + \begin{verbatim} + /usr/local/mailman/data/aliases + \end{verbatim} + + Note that there should be no trailing \code{.db}. Do not include this + in your \var{alias_database} variable. This is because you do not want + Postfix's \program{newaliases} command to modify Mailman's + \file{aliases.db} file, but you do want Postfix to consult + \file{aliases.db} when looking for local addresses. + + You probably want to use a \code{hash:} style database for this entry. + Here's an example: + + \begin{verbatim} + alias_maps = hash:/etc/postfix/aliases, + hash:/usr/local/mailman/data/aliases + \end{verbatim} + +\item When you configure Mailman, use the + \longprogramopt{with-mail-gid=mailman} switch; this will be the default + if you configured Mailman after adding the \code{mailman} owner. + Because the owner of the \file{aliases.db} file is \code{mailman}, + Postfix will execute Mailman's wrapper program as uid and gid + \code{mailman}. + +\end{itemize} + +That's it! One caveat: when you add or remove a list, the \file{aliases.db} +file will updated, but it will not automatically run \program{postfix reload}. +This is because you need to be root to run this and suid-root scripts are not +secure. The only effect of this is that it will take about a minute for +Postfix to notice the change to the \file{aliases.db} file and update its +tables. + +\subsubsection{Virtual domains\label{postfix-virtual}} + +Postfix 2.0 supports ``virtual alias domains'', essentially what used to be +called ``Postfix-style virtual domains'' in earlier Postfix versions. To make +virtual alias domains work with Mailman, you need to do some setup in both +Postfix and Mailman. Mailman will write all virtual alias mappings to a file +called, by default, \file{/usr/local/mailman/data/virtual-mailman}. It will +also use \program{postmap} to create the \program{virtual-mailman.db} file +that Postfix will actually use. + +First, you need to set up the Postfix virtual alias domains as described in +the Postfix documentation (see Postfix's \code{virtual(5)} manpage). Note +that it's your responsibility to include the \code{virtual-alias.domain +anything} line as described manpage; Mailman will not include this line in +\file{virtual-mailman}. You are highly encouraged to make sure your virtual +alias domains are working properly before integrating with Mailman. + +Next, add a path to Postfix's \var{virtual_alias_maps} variable, pointing to +the virtual-mailman file, e.g.: + +\begin{verbatim} + virtual_alias_maps = , + hash:/usr/local/mailman/data/virtual-mailman +\end{verbatim} + +assuming you've installed Mailman in the default location. If you're using an +older version of Postfix which doesn't have the \var{virtual_alias_maps} +variable, use the \var{virtual_maps} variable instead. + +Next, in your \file{mm_cfg.py} file, you will want to set the variable +\var{POSTFIX_STYLE_VIRTUAL_DOMAINS} to the list of virtual domains that Mailman +should update. This may not be all of the virtual alias domains that your +Postfix installation supports! The values in this list will be matched +against the \var{host_name} attribute of mailing lists objects, and must be an +exact match. + +Here's an example. Say that Postfix is configured to handle the virtual +domains \code{dom1.ain}, \code{dom2.ain}, and \code{dom3.ain}, and further +that in your \file{main.cf} file you've got the following settings: + +\begin{verbatim} + myhostname = mail.dom1.ain + mydomain = dom1.ain + mydestination = $myhostname, localhost.$mydomain + virtual_alias_maps = + hash:/some/path/to/virtual-dom1, + hash:/some/path/to/virtual-dom2, + hash:/some/path/to/virtual-dom2 +\end{verbatim} + +If in your \file{virtual-dom1} file, you've got the following lines: + +\begin{verbatim} + dom1.ain IGNORE + @dom1.ain @mail.dom1.ain +\end{verbatim} + +this tells Postfix to deliver anything addressed to \code{dom1.ain} to the +same mailbox at \code{mail.dom1.com}, its default destination. + +In this case you would not include \code{dom1.ain} in +\var{POSTFIX_STYLE_VIRTUAL_DOMAINS} because otherwise Mailman will write +entries for mailing lists in the dom1.ain domain as + +\begin{verbatim} + mylist@dom1.ain mylist + mylist-request@dom1.ain mylist-request + # and so on... +\end{verbatim} + +The more specific entries trump your more general entries, thus breaking the +delivery of any \code{dom1.ain} mailing list. + +However, you would include \code{dom2.ain} and \code{dom3.ain} in +\file{mm_cfg.py}: + +\begin{verbatim} + POSTFIX_STYLE_VIRTUAL_DOMAINS = ['dom2.ain', 'dom3.ain'] +\end{verbatim} + +Now, any list that Mailman creates in either of those two domains, will have +the correct entries written to \file{/usr/local/mailman/data/virtual-mailman}. + +As above with the \file{data/aliases*} files, you want to make sure that both +\file{data/virtual-mailman} and \file{data/virtual-mailman.db} are user and +group owned by \code{mailman}. + +\subsubsection{An alternative approach} + +Fil \email{fil@rezo.net} has an alternative approach based on virtual maps and +regular expressions, as described at: + +\begin{itemize} +\item (French) \url{http://listes.rezo.net/comment.php} +\item (English) \url{http://listes.rezo.net/how.php} +\end{itemize} + +This is a good (and simpler) alternative if you don't mind exposing an +additional hostname in the domain part of the addresses people will use to +contact your list. I.e. if people should use \code{mylist@lists.dom.ain} +instead of \code{mylist@dom.ain}. + +\subsection{Using the Exim mail server} + +\subsection{Using the Sendmail mail server} + +\begin{notice}[warning] +You may be tempted to set the \var{DELIVERY_MODULE} configuration variable in +\file{mm_cfg.py} to \code{'Sendmail'} when using the Sendmail mail server. +\strong{Don't}. The \file{Sendmail.py} module is misnamed -- it's really a +command line based message handoff scheme as opposed to the SMTP scheme used +in \file{SMTPDirect.py} (the default). \file{Sendmail.py} has known security +holes and is provided as a proof-of-concept only\footnote{In fact, in later +versions of Mailman, this module is explicitly sabotaged. You have to know +what you're doing in order to re-enable it.}. If you are having problems +using \file{SMTPDirect.py} fix those instead of using \file{Sendmail.py}, or +you may open your system up to security exploits. +\end{notice} + +\subsubsection{Sendmail ``smrsh'' compatibility} + +Many newer versions of Sendmail come with a restricted execution utility +called ``smrsh'', which limits the executables that Sendmail will allow to be +used as mail programs. You need to explicitly allow Mailman's wrapper program +to be used with smrsh or Mailman will not work. If mail is not getting +delivered to Mailman's wrapper program and you're getting an ``operating +system error'' in your mail syslog, this could be your problem. + +One good way of enabling this is: + +\begin{itemize} + \item Find out where your Sendmail executes its smrsh wrapper + + \begin{verbatim} + % grep smrsh /etc/mail/sendmail.cf + \end{verbatim} + + \item Figure out where smrsh expects symlinks for allowable mail + programs. At the very beginning of the following output you will + see a full path to some directory, e.g. \file{/var/adm/sm.bin} or + similar: + + \begin{verbatim} + % strings $path_to_smrsh | less + \end{verbatim} + + \item cd into \file{/var/adm/sm.bin}, or where ever it happens to reside + on your system -- alternatives include \file{/etc/smrsh}, + \file{/var/smrsh} and \file{/usr/local/smrsh}. + + \begin{verbatim} + % cd /var/adm/sm.bin + \end{verbatim} + + \item Create a symbolic link to Mailman's wrapper program: + + \begin{verbatim} + % ln -s /usr/local/mailman/mail/mailman mailman + \end{verbatim} +\end{itemize} + +\subsubsection{Integrating Sendmail and Mailman} + +David Champion has contributed a recipe for more closely integrating Sendmail +and Mailman, such that Sendmail will automatically recognize and deliver to +new mailing lists as they are created, without having to manually edit alias +tables. + +In the \file{contrib} directory of Mailman's source distribution, you will +find four files: + +\begin{itemize} +\item \file{mm-handler.readme} - an explanation of how to set everything up +\item \file{mm-handler} - the mail delivery agent (MDA) +\item \file{mailman.mc} - a toy configuration file sample +\item \file{virtusertable} - a sample for RFC 2142 address exceptions +\end{itemize} + +\subsubsection{Performance notes} + +One of the surest performance killers for Sendmail users is when Sendmail is +configured to synchronously verify the recipient's host via DNS. If it does +this for messages posted to it from Mailman, you will get horrible +performance. Since Mailman usually connects via \code{localhost} +(i.e. 127.0.0.1) to the SMTP port of Sendmail, you should be sure to configure +Sendmail to \strong{not} do DNS verification synchronously for localhost +connections. + +\subsection{Using the Qmail mail server} + +\subsection{Create a site-wide mailing list} + +After you have completed the integration of Mailman and your mail server, you +need to create a ``site-wide'' mailing list. This is the one that password +reminders will appear to come from, and it is required for proper Mailman +operation. Usually this should be a list called \code{mailman}, but if you +need to change this, be sure to change the \var{MAILMAN_SITE_LIST} variable in +\file{mm_cfg.py}. You can create the site list with this command, following +the prompts: + +\begin{verbatim} + % bin/newlist mailman +\end{verbatim} + +Now configure your site list. There is a convenient template for a generic +site list in the installation directory, under \file{data/sitelist.cfg} which +can help you with this. You should review the configuration options in the +template, but note that any options not named in the \file{sitelist.cfg} file +won't be changed. + +The template can be applied to your site list by +running: + +\begin{verbatim} + % bin/config_list -i data/sitelist.cfg mailman +\end{verbatim} + +After applying the \file{sitelist.cfg} options, be sure you review the +site list's configuration via the admin pages. + +You should also subscribe yourself to the site list. + +\section{Setting up cron} + +Several Mailman features occur on a regular schedule, so you must set up +\program{cron} to run the right programs at the right time\footnote{Note that +if you're upgrading from a previous version of Mailman, you'll want to install +the new crontab, but be careful if you're running multiple Mailman +installations on your site! Changing the crontab could mess with other +parallel Mailman installations.}. + +If your version of crontab supports the \programopt{-u} option, you must be +root to do this next step. Add \file{\var{\$prefix}/cron/crontab.in} as a +crontab entry by executing these commands: + +\begin{verbatim} + % cd $prefix/cron + % crontab -u mailman crontab.in +\end{verbatim} + +If you used the \longprogramopt{with-username} option, use that user name +instead of \code{mailman} for the \programopt{-u} argument value. If your +crontab does not support the \programopt{-u} option, try these commands: + +\begin{verbatim} + % cd $prefix/cron + % su - mailman + % crontab crontab.in +\end{verbatim} + +\section{Starting the Mailman qrunner} + +Mailman depends on a process called the ``qrunner'' to delivery all +email messages it sees. You must start the qrunner by executing the following +command from the \var{\$prefix} directory: + +\begin{verbatim} + % bin/mailmanctl start +\end{verbatim} + +You probably want to start Mailman every time you reboot your system. Exactly +how to do this depends on your operating system. If your OS supports the +\program{chkconfig} command (e.g. RedHat and Mandrake Linuxes) you can +do the following (as root, from the Mailman install directory): + +\begin{verbatim} + % cp scripts/mailman /etc/init.d/mailman + % chkconfig --add mailman +\end{verbatim} + +Note that \file{/etc/init.d} may be \file{/etc/rc.d/init.d} on some systems. + +On Gentoo Linux, you can do the following: + +\begin{verbatim} + % cp scripts/mailman /etc/init.d/mailman + % rc-update add mailman default +\end{verbatim} + +On Debian, you probably want to use: + +\begin{verbatim} + % update-rc.d mailman defaults +\end{verbatim} + +For \UNIX{}es that don't support \program{chkconfig}, you might try the +following set of commands: + +\begin{verbatim} + % cp scripts/mailman /etc/init.d/mailman + % cp misc/mailman /etc/init.d + % cd /etc/rc.d/rc0.d + % ln -s ../init.d/mailman K12mailman + % cd ../rc1.d + % ln -s ../init.d/mailman K12mailman + % cd ../rc2.d + % ln -s ../init.d/mailman S98mailman + % cd ../rc3.d + % ln -s ../init.d/mailman S98mailman + % cd ../rc4.d + % ln -s ../init.d/mailman S98mailman + % cd ../rc5.d + % ln -s ../init.d/mailman S98mailman + % cd ../rc6.d + % ln -s ../init.d/mailman K12mailman +\end{verbatim} + +\section{Check the hostname settings} + +You should check the values for \var{DEFAULT_EMAIL_HOST} and +\var{DEFAULT_URL_HOST} in \file{Defaults.py}. Make any necessary changes in +the \file{mm_cfg.py} file, \strong{not} in the \file{mm_cfg.py} file. If you +change either of these two values, you'll want to add the following afterwards +in the \file{mm_cfg.py} file: + +\begin{verbatim} + add_virtualhost(DEFAULT_URL_HOST, DEFAULT_EMAIL_HOST) +\end{verbatim} + +You will want to run the \program{bin/fix_url.py} to change the domain of any +existing lists. + +\section{Customizing Mailman\label{customizing}} + +Now that Mailman is all set up, there are a few site-wide configurations you +can make before you start creating mailing lists. You should do these steps +using the account you installed Mailman under in the \ref{building} section. + +\begin{itemize} +\item The file \file{\var{\$prefix/Mailman/Defaults.py}} contains a number of + defaults for your installation. If any of these are incorrect, override + them in \file{\var{\$prefix}/Mailman/mm_cfg.py}, \strong{not} in the + \file{Defaults.py} file! See the comments in \file{Defaults.py} for + details. Once a list is created, editing many of these variables will + have no effect. At that point, you'll need to configure your lists + through the web administration interface or through the command line + scripts \program{bin/withlist} and \program{bin/config_list}. + + The install process will never overwrite an existing \file{mm_cfg.py} + file so you can freely make changes to this file. + + \begin{notice}[note] + Do \strong{not} change the \var{HOME_DIR} or \var{MAILMAN_DIR} + variables. These are set automatically by the \program{configure} + script, and you will break your Mailman installation by if you change + these. + \end{notice} +\item Create the site password. Use this command: + +\begin{verbatim} + % $prefix/bin/mmsitepass +\end{verbatim} + + This password can be used anywhere that individual user or mailing list + administrator passwords are required, giving the mailman site + administrator the ability to adjust these things when necessary. + + You may also want to create a password for the site-wide ``list creator'' + role. The list creator is someone other than the site administrator who + has privileges to create and remove lists through the web interface. Use + the \programopt{-c} option to \program{mmsitepass} to set this. + +\end{itemize} + +\section{Create your first mailing list} + +For more detailed information about using Mailman, including creating and +configuring mailing lists, see the Mailman List Adminstration Manual. These +instructions provide a quick guide to creating your first mailing list via the +web interface: + +\begin{itemize} +\item Start by visiting the url \code{http://my.dom.ain/mailman/create}. + +\item Fill out the form as described in the on-screen instructions, and in the + ``List creator's password'' field, type the password you entered in + section \ref{customizing}. Type your own email address for the + ``Initial list owner address'', and select ``Yes'' to notify the list + administrator. + +\item Click on the ``Create List'' button. + +\item Check your email for a message from Mailman informing you that your new + mailing list was created. + +\item Now visit the list's administration page, either by following the link + on the confirmation web page or clicking on the link from the email + Mailman just sent you. Typically the url will be something like + \code{http://my.dom.ain/mailman/admin/mylist}. + +\item Type in the list's password and click on ``Let me in...'' + +\item Click on ``Membership Management'' and then on ``Mass Subscription''. + +\item Enter your email address in the big text field, and click on ``Submit + Your Changes''. + +\item Now go to your email and send a message to \code{mylist@my.dom.ain}. + Within a minute or two you should see your message reflected back to you + via Mailman. +\end{itemize} + +Congratulations! You've just set up and tested your first Mailman mailing +list. If you had any problems along the way, please see the +\ref{troubleshooting} section. + +\section{Troubleshooting\label{troubleshooting}} + +If you encounter problems with running Mailman, first check the question and +answer section below. If your problem is not covered there, check the +\ulink{online help}{http://www.list.org/help.html}, including the +\ulink{FAQ}{http://www.list.org/faq.html} and the +\ulink{interactive FAQ wizard}{http://www.python.org/cgi-bin/faqw-mm.py}. + +Also check for errors in your syslog files, your mail and web server log files +and in Mailman's \file{\var{\$prefix}/logs/error} file. If you're still +having problems, you should send a message to the +\email{mailman-users@python.org} mailing list\footnote{You must subscribe to +this mailing list in order to post to it, but the mailing list's archives are +publicly visible.}; see +\url{http://mail.python.org/mailman/listinfo/mailman-users} for more +information. + +Be sure to including information on your operating system, which version of +Python you're using, and which version of Mailman you're installing. + +Here is a list of some common questions and answers: + +\begin{itemize} + +\item \strong{Problem:} All Mailman web pages give a 404 File not found + error. + + \strong{Solution:} Your web server has not been set up properly for + handling Mailman's CGI programs. Make sure you have: + + \begin{enumerate} + \item configured the web server to give permissions to + \file{\var{\$prefix}/cgi-bin} + + \item restarted the web server properly. + \end{enumerate} + + Consult your web server's documentation for instructions on how to do + check these issues. + +\item \strong{Problem:} All Mailman web pages give an "Internal Server + Error". + + \strong{Solution:} The likely problem is that you are using the wrong + user or group for the CGI scripts. Check your web server's log files. + If you see a line like + + \begin{verbatim} + Attempt to exec script with invalid gid 51, expected 99 + \end{verbatim} + + you will need to reinstall Mailman, specifying the proper CGI group id, + as described in the \label{building} section. + +\item \strong{Problem:} I send mail to the list, and get back mail saying the + list is not found! + + \strong{Solution:} You probably didn't add the necessary aliases to the + system alias database, or you didn't properly integration Mailman with + your mail server. Perhaps you didn't update the alias database, or your + system requires you to run \program{newaliases} explicitly. Refer to + your server specific instructions in the \ref{mail-server} section. + +\item \strong{Problem:} I send mail to the list, and get back mail saying, + ``unknown mailer error''. + + \strong{Solution:} The likely problem is that you are using the wrong + user or group id for the mail wrappers. Check your mail server's log + files; if you see a line like + + \begin{verbatim} + Attempt to exec script with invalid gid 51, expected 99 + \end{verbatim} + + you will need to reinstall Mailman, specifying the proper mail group id + as described in the \label{building} section. + +\item \strong{Problem:} I use Postfix as my mail server and the mail wrapper + programs are logging complaints about the wrong GID. + + \strong{Solution:} Make sure the \file{\var{\$prefix}/data/aliases.db} + file is user owned by \code{mailman} (or whatever user name you used + in the \program{configure} command). If this file is not user owned by + \code{mailman}, Postfix will not run the mail programs as the correct + user. + +\item \strong{Problem:} I use Sendmail as my mail server, and when I send mail + to the list, I get back mail saying, ``sh: mailman not available for + sendmail programs''. + + \strong{Solution:} Your system uses the Sendmail restricted shell + (smrsh). You need to configure smrsh by creating a symbolic link from + the mail wrapper (\file{\var{\$prefix}/mail/mailman}) to the directory + identifying executables allowed to run under smrsh. + + Some common names for this directory are \file{/var/admin/sm.bin}, + \file{/usr/admin/sm.bin} or \file{/etc/smrsh}. + + Note that on Debian Linux, the system makes \file{/usr/lib/sm.bin}, + which is wrong, you will need to create the directory + \file{/usr/admin/sm.bin} and add the link there. Note further any + aliases \program{newaliases} spits out will need to be adjusted to point + to the secure link to the wrapper. + +\item \strong{Problem:} I messed up when I called \program{configure}. How + do I clean things up and re-install? + + \strong{Solution:} + + \begin{verbatim} + % make clean + % ./configure --with-the-right-options + % make install + \end{verbatim} + +\end{itemize} + +\section{Platform and operating system notes} + +Generally, Mailman runs on any POSIX-based system, such as Solaris, the +various BSD variants, Linux systems, MacOSX, and other generic \UNIX{} +systems. It doesn't run on Windows. For the most part, the generic +instructions given in this document should be sufficient to get Mailman +working on any supported platform. Some operating systems have additional +recommended installation or configuration instructions. + +\subsection{GNU/Linux issues} + +Linux seems to be the most popular platform for running Mailman. Here are +some hints on getting Mailman to run on Linux: + +\begin{itemize} +\item If you are getting errors with hard link creations and/or you are using + a special secure kernel (securelinux/openwall/grsecurity), see the file + \file{contrib/README.check_perms_grsecurity} in the Mailman source + distribution. + + Note that if you are using Linux Mandrake in secure mode, you are + probably concerned by this. + +\item Apparently Mandrake 9.0 changed the permissions on gcc, so if you build + as the \code{mailman} user, you need to be sure \code{mailman} is in the + \code{cctools} group. + +\item If you installed Python from your Linux distribution's package manager + (e.g. .rpms for Redhat-derived systems or .deb for Debian), you must + install the ``development'' package of Python, or you may not get + everything you need. + + For example, using Python 2.2 on Debian, you will need to install the + \code{python2.2-dev} package. On Redhat, you probably need the + \code{python2-devel} package. + + If you install Python from source, you should be fine. + + One symptom of this problem, although for unknown reasons, is that you + might get an error such as this during your install: + + \begin{verbatim} + Traceback (most recent call last): + File "bin/update", line 44, in ? + import paths + ImportError: No module named paths + make: *** [update] Error 1 + \end{verbatim} + + If this happens, install the Python development package and try + \program{configure} and \program{make install} again. Or install the + latest version of Python from source, available from + \url{http://www.python.org}. + + This problem can manifest itself in other Linux distributions in + different ways, although usually it appears as \code{ImportErrors}. +\end{itemize} + +\subsection{BSD issues\label{bsd-issues}} + +Vivek Khera writes that some BSDs do nightly security scans for setuid file +changes. setgid directories also come up on the scan when they change. Also, +the setgid bit is not necessary on BSD systems because group ownership is +automatically inherited on files created in directories. On other \UNIX{}es, +this only happens when the directory has the setgid bit turned on. + +To install without turning on the setgid bit on directories, simply pass in +the \var{DIRSETGID} variable to \program{make}, after you've run +\program{configure}: + +\begin{verbatim} + % make DIRSETGID=: install +\end{verbatim} + +This disables the \program{chmod g+s} command on installed directories. + +\subsection{MacOSX issues} + +Many people run Mailman on MacOSX. Here are some pointers that have been +collected on getting Mailman to run on MacOSX. + +\begin{itemize} +\item Jaguar (MacOSX 10.2) comes with Python 2.2. While this isn't the very + latest stable version of Python, it ought to be sufficient to run + Mailman 2.1. + +\item David B. O'Donnell has a web page describing his configuration of + Mailman 2.0.13 and Postfix on MacOSX Server. + + \url{http://www.afp548.com/Articles/mail/python-mailman.html} + +\item Kathleen Webb posted her experiences in getting Mailman running on + Jaguar using Sendmail. + + \url{http://mail.python.org/pipermail/mailman-users/2002-October/022944.html} + +\item Panther server (MacOSX 10.3) comes with Mailman; Apple has a tech + document about a problem you might encounter running Mailman on Mac OS X + Server 10.3: + + \url{http://docs.info.apple.com/article.html?artnum=107889} +\end{itemize} + +\end{document} -- cgit v1.2.3