Why doesnt my server send emails with postfix from php?

dzchimp · May 24th 2013

After a fresh install of Debian 6 minimal and i-mscp, I've transitioned my sites to this server.

While trying a php form to send email, I found that my server was not sending out any email. Wordpress notifications werent being received.

I tried the following command in bash:

Code

echo "this is the body" | mail -s "this is the subject" "myname@mydomain.com"

And found this log:

Code

[root@hermes] /etc #tail -n 30 /var/log/mail.infoMay 24 23:36:37 hermes postgrey[4086]: 2013/05/24-23:36:37 postgrey (type Net::Server::Multiplex) starting! pid(4086)May 24 23:36:37 hermes postgrey[4086]: Binding to TCP port 10023 on host localhost#012May 24 23:36:37 hermes postgrey[685]: 2013/05/24-23:36:37 Server closing!May 24 23:36:37 hermes postgrey[685]: Couldn't unlink "/var/run/postgrey.pid" [Permission denied]May 24 23:36:38 hermes postfix/policyd-weight[562]: master: /etc/policyd-weight.conf reloadedMay 24 23:36:39 hermes postfix/policyd-weight[563]: cache: /etc/policyd-weight.conf reloadedMay 24 23:36:40 hermes postfix/master[975]: terminating on signal 15May 24 23:36:40 hermes postfix/master[4185]: daemon started -- version 2.7.1, configuration /etc/postfixMay 24 23:37:55 hermes postfix/pickup[4192]: B7272404180A: uid=0 from=<root>May 24 23:37:55 hermes postfix/cleanup[4310]: B7272404180A: message-id=<20130524180755.B7272404180A@hermes.myname.co.in>May 24 23:37:55 hermes postfix/qmgr[4193]: B7272404180A: from=<root@hermes.myname.co.in>, size=457, nrcpt=1 (queue active)May 24 23:37:55 hermes postfix/virtual[4312]: B7272404180A: to=<myname@mydomain.com>, relay=virtual, delay=0.02, delays=0.02/0/0/0, dsn=5.1.1, status=bounced (unknown user: "myname@mydomain.com")May 24 23:37:55 hermes postfix/cleanup[4310]: BA5A2404180B: message-id=<20130524180755.BA5A2404180B@hermes.myname.co.in>May 24 23:37:55 hermes postfix/bounce[4313]: B7272404180A: sender non-delivery notification: BA5A2404180BMay 24 23:37:55 hermes postfix/qmgr[4193]: BA5A2404180B: from=<>, size=2218, nrcpt=1 (queue active)May 24 23:37:55 hermes postfix/qmgr[4193]: B7272404180A: removedMay 24 23:37:55 hermes postfix/local[4314]: BA5A2404180B: to=<root@hermes.myname.co.in>, relay=local, delay=0.04, delays=0/0/0/0.04, dsn=2.0.0, status=sent (delivered to command: procmail -a "$EXTENSION")May 24 23:37:55 hermes postfix/qmgr[4193]: BA5A2404180B: removedMay 24 23:53:04 hermes postfix/master[4185]: terminating on signal 15May 24 23:53:04 hermes postfix/master[4453]: daemon started -- version 2.7.1, configuration /etc/postfixMay 24 23:53:13 hermes postfix/pickup[4459]: 5E87C404180B: uid=0 from=<root>May 24 23:53:13 hermes postfix/cleanup[4465]: 5E87C404180B: message-id=<20130524182313.5E87C404180B@hermes.myname.co.in>May 24 23:53:13 hermes postfix/qmgr[4460]: 5E87C404180B: from=<root@hermes.myname.co.in>, size=457, nrcpt=1 (queue active)May 24 23:53:13 hermes postfix/virtual[4467]: 5E87C404180B: to=<myname@mydomain.com>, relay=virtual, delay=0.03, delays=0.02/0/0/0.01, dsn=5.1.1, status=bounced (unknown user: "myname@mydomain.com")May 24 23:53:13 hermes postfix/cleanup[4465]: 62DE1404180C: message-id=<20130524182313.62DE1404180C@hermes.myname.co.in>May 24 23:53:13 hermes postfix/qmgr[4460]: 62DE1404180C: from=<>, size=2218, nrcpt=1 (queue active)May 24 23:53:13 hermes postfix/bounce[4468]: 5E87C404180B: sender non-delivery notification: 62DE1404180CMay 24 23:53:13 hermes postfix/qmgr[4460]: 5E87C404180B: removedMay 24 23:53:13 hermes postfix/local[4469]: 62DE1404180C: to=<root@hermes.myname.co.in>, relay=local, delay=0.01, delays=0/0.01/0/0, dsn=2.0.0, status=sent (delivered to command: procmail -a "$EXTENSION")May 24 23:53:13 hermes postfix/qmgr[4460]: 62DE1404180C: removed

My postfix conf:

Code

[root@hermes] /etc #cat postfix/main.cf
# Postfix directory settings; These are critical for normal Postfix MTA functionallity
command_directory = /usr/sbin
daemon_directory = /usr/lib/postfix
# Some common configuration parameters
inet_protocols = ipv4, ipv6
inet_interfaces = all
mynetworks_style = host
myhostname = hermes.joel.co.in
mydomain = hermes.joel.co.in.local
myorigin = $myhostname
smtpd_banner = $myhostname ESMTP i-MSCP Git Master Managed
setgid_group = postdrop
# Receiving messages parameters
mydestination = $myhostname, $mydomain
append_dot_mydomain = no
append_at_myorigin = yes
local_transport = local
transport_maps = hash:/etc/postfix/imscp/transport
relay_domains = hash:/etc/postfix/imscp/relay_domains
alias_maps = hash:/etc/aliases
alias_database = hash:/etc/aliases
# Delivering local messages parameters
mail_spool_directory = /var/mail
# Mailboxquota
# => 0 for unlimited
# => 104857600 for 100 MB
mailbox_size_limit = 0
mailbox_command = procmail -a "$EXTENSION"
# Message size limit
# => 0 for unlimited
# => 104857600 for 100 MB
message_size_limit = 0
biff = no
recipient_delimiter = +
local_destination_recipient_limit = 1
local_recipient_maps = unix:passwd.byname $alias_database
# i-MSCP Autoresponder parameters
imscp-arpl_destination_recipient_limit = 1
# Delivering virtual messages parameters
virtual_mailbox_base = /var/mail/virtual
virtual_mailbox_limit = 0
virtual_mailbox_domains = hash:/etc/postfix/imscp/domains
virtual_mailbox_maps = hash:/etc/postfix/imscp/mailboxes
virtual_alias_maps = hash:/etc/postfix/imscp/aliases
virtual_minimum_uid = 999
virtual_uid_maps = static:999
virtual_gid_maps = static:8
# SASL parameters
smtpd_sasl_auth_enable = yes
smtpd_sasl_security_options = noanonymous
broken_sasl_auth_clients = yes
smtpd_sasl_authenticated_header = yes
smtpd_helo_required = yes
smtpd_helo_restrictions = permit_mynetworks,
permit_sasl_authenticated,
reject_invalid_helo_hostname,
reject_non_fqdn_helo_hostname
smtpd_sender_restrictions = reject_non_fqdn_sender,
reject_unknown_sender_domain,
permit_mynetworks,
permit_sasl_authenticated
smtpd_recipient_restrictions = reject_non_fqdn_recipient,
# reject_unknown_recipient_domain,
permit_mynetworks,
permit_sasl_authenticated,
# reject_unauth_destination,
# reject_unlisted_recipient,
check_policy_service inet:127.0.0.1:12525,
check_policy_service inet:127.0.0.1:10023,
permit
smtpd_data_restrictions = reject_multi_recipient_bounce,
reject_unauth_pipelining
# TLS parameters
#smtpd_tls_security_level = may
#smtpd_tls_loglevel = 2
#smtpd_tls_cert_file = /etc/imscp/hermes.joel.co.in.pem
#smtpd_tls_key_file = /etc/imscp/hermes.joel.co.in.pem
#smtpd_tls_auth_only = no
#smtpd_tls_received_header = yes
# AMaViS parameters; activate, if available/used
#content_filter = amavis:[127.0.0.1]:10024
# Quota support; activate, if available/used
#virtual_create_maildirsize = yes
#virtual_mailbox_extended = yes
#virtual_mailbox_limit_maps = mysql:/etc/postfix/mysql_virtual_mailbox_limit_maps.cf
#virtual_mailbox_limit_override = yes
#virtual_maildir_limit_message = "The user you're trying to reach is over mailbox quota."
#virtual_overquota_bounce = yes

Display More

How can I check what's wrong?

**c0urier** · May 24th 2013

The first postgrey error is probably related to this?
http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=630353

Solution:
http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=630353#15

dzchimp · May 25th 2013

Quote from c0urier

The first postgrey error is probably related to this?
http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=630353

Solution:
http://bugs.debian.org/cgi-bin/bugreport.cgi?bug=630353#15

Thanks. The postgrey error was fixed by the bugfix.

However how do I go about fixing the bounce due to unknown user issue?

Latest log:

Code

#cat /var/log/mail.infoMay 25 08:35:50 hermes authdaemond: modules="authuserdb authpam", daemons=5May 25 08:35:50 hermes authdaemond: Installing libauthuserdbMay 25 08:35:50 hermes authdaemond: Installation complete: authuserdbMay 25 08:35:50 hermes authdaemond: Installing libauthpamMay 25 08:35:50 hermes authdaemond: Installation complete: authpamMay 25 08:35:50 hermes postfix/policyd-weight[676]: policyd-weight 0.1.15 devel-1 started and daemonized. conf:/etc/policyd-weight.conf; GID:110 110 EGID:110 110 UID:106 EUID:106; taint mode: 1May 25 08:35:50 hermes postfix/policyd-weight[676]: warning: cache_query: $csock couln't be created: connect: No such file or directory, calling spawn_cache()May 25 08:35:50 hermes postfix/policyd-weight[678]: cache spawnedMay 25 08:35:50 hermes postgrey[677]: Process BackgroundedMay 25 08:35:50 hermes postgrey[677]: 2013/05/25-08:35:50 postgrey (type Net::Server::Multiplex) starting! pid(677)May 25 08:35:50 hermes postgrey[677]: Binding to TCP port 10023 on host localhost#012May 25 08:35:50 hermes postgrey[677]: Setting gid to "111 111"May 25 08:35:50 hermes postgrey[677]: Setting uid to "107"May 25 08:35:51 hermes postfix/master[936]: daemon started -- version 2.7.1, configuration /etc/postfixMay 25 08:36:50 hermes postfix/pickup[942]: C52344041803: uid=0 from=<root>May 25 08:36:50 hermes postfix/cleanup[1481]: C52344041803: message-id=<20130525030650.C52344041803@hermes.joel.co.in>May 25 08:36:50 hermes postfix/qmgr[943]: C52344041803: from=<root@hermes.joel.co.in>, size=457, nrcpt=1 (queue active)May 25 08:36:50 hermes postfix/virtual[1483]: C52344041803: to=<joel@eyrie.in>, relay=virtual, delay=0.02, delays=0.01/0/0/0.01, dsn=5.1.1, status=bounced (unknown user: "joel@eyrie.in")May 25 08:36:50 hermes postfix/cleanup[1481]: C9C414041809: message-id=<20130525030650.C9C414041809@hermes.joel.co.in>May 25 08:36:50 hermes postfix/qmgr[943]: C9C414041809: from=<>, size=2218, nrcpt=1 (queue active)May 25 08:36:50 hermes postfix/bounce[1484]: C52344041803: sender non-delivery notification: C9C414041809May 25 08:36:50 hermes postfix/qmgr[943]: C52344041803: removedMay 25 08:36:50 hermes postfix/local[1485]: C9C414041809: to=<root@hermes.joel.co.in>, relay=local, delay=0.01, delays=0/0/0/0, dsn=2.0.0, status=sent (delivered to command: procmail -a "$EXTENSION")May 25 08:36:50 hermes postfix/qmgr[943]: C9C414041809: removed

Some more details of my config:

Code

#postconf -n
alias_database = hash:/etc/aliases
alias_maps = hash:/etc/aliases
append_at_myorigin = yes
append_dot_mydomain = no
biff = no
broken_sasl_auth_clients = yes
command_directory = /usr/sbin
config_directory = /etc/postfix
daemon_directory = /usr/lib/postfix
inet_interfaces = all
inet_protocols = ipv4, ipv6
local_destination_recipient_limit = 1
local_recipient_maps = unix:passwd.byname $alias_database
local_transport = local
mail_spool_directory = /var/mail
mailbox_command = procmail -a "$EXTENSION"
mailbox_size_limit = 0
message_size_limit = 0
mydestination = $myhostname, $mydomain
mydomain = hermes.joel.co.in.local
myhostname = hermes.joel.co.in
mynetworks_style = host
myorigin = $myhostname
recipient_delimiter = +
relay_domains = hash:/etc/postfix/imscp/relay_domains
setgid_group = postdrop
smtpd_banner = $myhostname ESMTP i-MSCP Git Master Managed
smtpd_data_restrictions = reject_multi_recipient_bounce, reject_unauth_pipelining
smtpd_helo_required = yes
smtpd_helo_restrictions = permit_mynetworks, permit_sasl_authenticated, reject_invalid_helo_hostname, reject_non_fqdn_helo_hostname
smtpd_recipient_restrictions = reject_non_fqdn_recipient, permit_mynetworks, permit_sasl_authenticated, check_policy_service inet:127.0.0.1:12525, check_policy_service inet:127.0.0.1:10023, permit
smtpd_sasl_auth_enable = yes
smtpd_sasl_authenticated_header = yes
smtpd_sasl_security_options = noanonymous
smtpd_sender_restrictions = reject_non_fqdn_sender, reject_unknown_sender_domain, permit_mynetworks, permit_sasl_authenticated
transport_maps = hash:/etc/postfix/imscp/transport
virtual_alias_maps = hash:/etc/postfix/imscp/aliases
virtual_gid_maps = static:8
virtual_mailbox_base = /var/mail/virtual
virtual_mailbox_domains = hash:/etc/postfix/imscp/domains
virtual_mailbox_limit = 0
virtual_mailbox_maps = hash:/etc/postfix/imscp/mailboxes
virtual_minimum_uid = 999
virtual_uid_maps = static:999

Display More

dzchimp · May 25th 2013

Installing sendmail solved the issue. I was under the impression that sendmail should not be installed along with i-mscp.

**Nuxwin** · May 25th 2013

Hello

The MTA sendmail shouldn't be installed with i-MSCP. Postfix is providing sendmail command.

http://www.postfix.org/sendmail.1.html

Thank you for using i-MSCP

dzchimp · Jun 19th 2013

Hi Nuxwin, I still have this issue where if the MTA sendmail is not installed, the following function in php does not work:

`@mail($email_to, $email_subject, $email_message, $headers);`

No emails are sent by php. The only solution so far was installing sendmail. That of course removes postfix automatically. I'd like to get to the bottom of this.

Latest logs after purging sendmail and installing i-mscp over the installation:

Code

#tac /var/log/mail.info | lessJun 19 11:40:48 hermes postfix/qmgr[3975]: 40F2E5126FF4: removedJun 19 11:40:48 hermes postfix/virtual[4187]: 40F2E5126FF4: to=<mydomcoin@bharat.in>, orig_to=<webmaster@mydom.co.in>, relay=virtual, delay=0, delays=0/0/0/0, dsn=5.1.1, status=bounced (unknown user: "mydomcoin@bharat.in")Jun 19 11:40:48 hermes postfix/qmgr[3975]: 3D7205126FDD: removedJun 19 11:40:48 hermes postfix/bounce[4188]: 3D7205126FDD: sender non-delivery notification: 40F2E5126FF4Jun 19 11:40:48 hermes postfix/qmgr[3975]: 40F2E5126FF4: from=<>, size=2590, nrcpt=1 (queue active)Jun 19 11:40:48 hermes postfix/cleanup[4184]: 40F2E5126FF4: message-id=<20130619061048.40F2E5126FF4@hermes.mydom.co.in>Jun 19 11:40:48 hermes postfix/virtual[4187]: 3D7205126FDD: to=<mydom@bharat.in>, relay=virtual, delay=0.02, delays=0.01/0/0/0.01, dsn=5.1.1, status=bounced (unknown user: "mydom@bharat.in")Jun 19 11:40:48 hermes postfix/qmgr[3975]: 3D7205126FDD: from=<webmaster@mydom.co.in>, size=835, nrcpt=1 (queue active)Jun 19 11:40:48 hermes postfix/cleanup[4184]: 3D7205126FDD: message-id=<20130619061048.3D7205126FDD@hermes.mydom.co.in>Jun 19 11:40:48 hermes postfix/pickup[3974]: 3D7205126FDD: uid=1001 from=<webmaster@mydom.co.in>

And ports:

Code

#netstat -lpnActive Internet connections (only servers)Proto Recv-Q Send-Q Local Address Foreign Address State PID/Program nametcp 0 0 127.0.0.1:12525 0.0.0.0:* LISTEN 562/policyd-weighttcp 0 0 0.0.0.0:80 0.0.0.0:* LISTEN 4014/apache2tcp 0 0 0.0.0.0:465 0.0.0.0:* LISTEN 3966/mastertcp 0 0 127.0.0.1:9876 0.0.0.0:* LISTEN 3860/imscp_daemontcp 0 0 198.23.228.223:53 0.0.0.0:* LISTEN 3995/namedtcp 0 0 127.0.0.2:53 0.0.0.0:* LISTEN 3995/namedtcp 0 0 127.0.0.1:53 0.0.0.0:* LISTEN 3995/namedtcp 0 0 0.0.0.0:22 0.0.0.0:* LISTEN 488/sshdtcp 0 0 127.0.0.1:953 0.0.0.0:* LISTEN 3995/namedtcp 0 0 0.0.0.0:25 0.0.0.0:* LISTEN 3966/mastertcp 0 0 0.0.0.0:443 0.0.0.0:* LISTEN 4014/apache2tcp 0 0 127.0.0.1:10023 0.0.0.0:* LISTEN 3867/postgrey.pid -tcp 0 0 127.0.0.1:10025 0.0.0.0:* LISTEN 3966/mastertcp 0 0 127.0.0.1:3306 0.0.0.0:* LISTEN 857/mysqldtcp 0 0 0.0.0.0:587 0.0.0.0:* LISTEN 3966/mastertcp6 0 0 :::110 :::* LISTEN 2773/couriertcpdtcp6 0 0 :::143 :::* LISTEN 2779/couriertcpdtcp6 0 0 :::465 :::* LISTEN 3966/mastertcp6 0 0 :::21 :::* LISTEN 3977/proftpd: (accetcp6 0 0 :::22 :::* LISTEN 488/sshdtcp6 0 0 :::25 :::* LISTEN 3966/mastertcp6 0 0 :::993 :::* LISTEN 2803/couriertcpdtcp6 0 0 :::995 :::* LISTEN 2791/couriertcpdtcp6 0 0 :::587 :::* LISTEN 3966/masterudp 0 0 198.23.228.223:53 0.0.0.0:* 3995/namedudp 0 0 127.0.0.2:53 0.0.0.0:* 3995/namedudp 0 0 127.0.0.1:53 0.0.0.0:* 3995/named

I have tried a manual telnet from the server and it works:

Code

#telnet alt4.gmail-smtp-in.l.google.com 25Trying 173.194.70.26...Connected to alt4.gmail-smtp-in.l.google.com.Escape character is '^]'.220 mx.google.com ESMTP y5si17268626eep.271 - gsmtphelo mydom.co.in250 mx.google.com at your servicemail from:<webmaster@mydom.co.in>250 2.1.0 OK y5si17268626eep.271 - gsmtprcpt to:<mydom@bharat.in>250 2.1.5 OK y5si17268626eep.271 - gsmtpdata354 Go ahead y5si17268626eep.271 - gsmtpFrom: <webmaster@mydom.co.in>Subject: This is a testTesting.250 2.0.0 OK 1371623122 y5si17268626eep.271 - gsmtp

And if I install sendmail and try sending a mail with php, it works perfectly:

Code

Jun 19 12:12:00 hermes sendmail[6208]: r5J6fwkN006208: to=mydom@bharat.in, ctladdr=webmaster@mydom.co.in (1001/1001), delay=00:00:02, xdelay=00:00:01, mailer=relay, pri=30584, relay=[127.0.0.1] [127.0.0.1], dsn=2.0.0, stat=Sent (r5J6fxGH006209 Message accepted for delivery)
Jun 19 12:12:00 hermes sm-mta[6209]: r5J6fxGH006209: from=<webmaster@mydom.co.in>, size=909, class=0, nrcpts=1, msgid=<201306190641.r5J6fwkN006208@hermes.mydom.co.in>, proto=ESMTP, daemon=MTA-v4, relay=hermes.mydom.co.in.local [127.0.0.1]
Jun 19 12:11:59 hermes sendmail[6208]: r5J6fwkN006208: from=webmaster@mydom.co.in, size=584, class=0, nrcpts=1, msgid=<201306190641.r5J6fwkN006208@hermes.mydom.co.in>, relay=vu2003@localhost
Jun 19 12:11:58 hermes sendmail[6208]: r5J6fwkN006208: Authentication-Warning: hermes.mydom.co.in: vu2003 set sender to webmaster@mydom.co.in using -f
Jun 19 12:10:05 hermes sm-mta[6183]: starting daemon (8.14.3): SMTP+queueing@00:10:00
Jun 19 12:10:05 hermes sm-mta[6181]: gethostbyaddr(127.0.0.2) failed: 1
Jun 19 12:10:05 hermes sendmail[6138]: /etc/mail/aliases: 1 aliases, longest 4 bytes, 14 bytes total
Jun 19 12:10:05 hermes sendmail[6138]: alias database /etc/mail/aliases rebuilt by root
Jun 19 12:10:05 hermes sendmail[6138]: gethostbyaddr(127.0.0.2) failed: 1
Jun 19 12:09:56 hermes postfix/master[4912]: terminating on signal 15

dzchimp · Jun 19th 2013

Update on this: mydom@bharat.in was my domain, and it seems that the issue was with delivering to it. On changing that to a gmail address, mail was delivered correctly.

The issue seems related to this: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1570792

Edit1:
Unsetting the following in /etc/postfix/main.cf causes mail to be delivered properly via php.

Code

virtual_mailbox_domains =

Maybe my scenario is a bit different because my mail is managed by gmail although the domain to which the alias belongs is hosted on this server.

**Nuxwin** · Jun 19th 2013

Quote from dzchimp

Update on this: mydom@bharat.in was my domain, and it seems that the issue was with delivering to it. On changing that to a gmail address, mail was delivered correctly.

The issue seems related to this: http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1570792

Edit1:
Unsetting the following in /etc/postfix/main.cf causes mail to be delivered properly via php.

Code

virtual_mailbox_domains =

Maybe my scenario is a bit different because my mail is managed by gmail although the domain to which the alias belongs is hosted on this server.

Display More

LOL LOL LOL

No comment....

dzchimp · Jun 19th 2013

Quote from Nuxwin

LOL LOL LOL

No comment....

You're laughing because I've disabled email completely?

Ximousse · Sep 17th 2013

Hello,

I'm upping this because I've had the same problem on several servers and didn't take the time to find a proper solution so far.
To sum up: on a clean server (Debian Squeeze), just after installing iMSCP (Version = 1.0.3.0), I create a domain mydomain.com with mail accounts enabled and I try to send a mail via php to anything@mydomain.com, the mail "never leaves the server" even if I deactivate mail accounts after.

It's exactly the same problem I had with iSPCP:
http://isp-control.net/forum/printthread.php?tid=10133

Is there a correct way to fix/configure this ?

Thanks in advance !

Why doesnt my server send emails with postfix from php?

Share

Daily visitors