Postfix using MySQL, what are the advantages?

[latitudehopper]

Hello everyone.

I have got my VPS(ubuntu 10.04) running well with postfix and dovevot. I am currently using MySQL for the mapping but wondered what the real advantages were as it seems long winded. With a text file you seemed to be able to deliver the mail locally AND forward whilst with the MySQL it doesn't seem to work. I host multiple domains with individual email boxes, I do not want info(at) to be the same for all the domain. I would be interested in hearing your thoughts.

Kind regards

J

[Kolusion]

I would use virtual domains and virtual users with Postfix. Bringing MySQL into the picture is just adding another thing that could go wrong.

[latitudehopper]

I think I agree. What would be really helpful is if someone could post their config files for using virtual domains and users so I can see how it is all done. There are lots of tutorials on using mysql but this is not a complicated server and I think removing the extra step would be a good idea. Any pointers would be appreciated.

[Kolusion]

I tried to post the link to the official documentation, but this ****** forum blocked it because I haven't made 15 posts or more.

Goto the Postfix website, then goto Documentation and then goto Virtual Domain Hosting.... HooOOOOoooh.......... THEN goto Postfix virtual MAILBOX example: separate domains, non-UNIX accounts.

[allwimb]

The advantage when using Mysql for virtual domains, virtual mailboxes, virtual aliases, ect. Is when you have thousands of domains and mailboxes you can notice that it's faster than plain text files.

Imagine that you got 1 000 000 mailboxes and a mail arrives postfix needs to know to which user the mail will be delivred so if the list of the mailboxes is in a plain text file that will take time to parse and check if the user exists, etc. However when it uses Mysql you can setup indexes and that will take less than 100 millisecond.