Topic: Best way to stop inbound/outbound emails during backup operation?

[pizzaco]

I need to migrate from 7.6 to 8.0. In order to prevent loss of emails, duplicates, etc., my original plan was to unplug both network cables and do a backup to USB device from the console. For some reason that function is not creating the file on targer device (see http://forums.contribs.org/index.php?topic=49779).

As a work around, I want to do a "Backup to Desktop" from Server Manager, put the file on a memory stick, and then do a restore from USB as part of a clean install on 8.0. Of course, doing this means leaving the LAN side connected to the network during the backup and having the possiblity of emails being sent or retrieved and getting missed by the backup.

I'm thinking of stopping the SMTP, POP3, and IMAP (and their secure counterparts) deamons to disable email during the backup. Is this a good approach? If so, what is the recommended way to shut them down?

Thanks.

[Stefano]

are you migrating HW too?

[pizzaco]

Just a software upgrade. I do plan to swap out the hard drive, just as a way of keeping the old software/data intact in case something goes drastically wrong with the upgrade.

If changing hardware would help, I do have another box I could move to.

[Stefano]

If changing hardware would help, I do have another box I could move to.

in this case, use Affa (http://wiki.contribs.org/Affa), works flawlessy

[pizzaco]

Thanks. Will it work OK going from 7.6 on the exiting server to 8.0 on the backup and then "rising"? 

[Stefano]

yes, of course.. I did it many times, no problem at all

[pizzaco]

Good. Is there anyway to handle emails that are being sent/received during the backup and before the rise? For example, what would happen to emails #1 and #2 in the following example?

1. Backup starts.
2. User A send email #1 to to user B.
3. Backup ends (but primary is not shut down yet).
4. User A sends email #2 to user B.
5. Primary server turned off a short time after backup ends.
6. Rise performed.
7. User B attempts to POP emails.

[Stefano]

read here: http://wiki.contribs.org/Moving_SME_to_new_Hardware

HTH

[pizzaco]

Excellent! Thanks!

[CharlieBrady]

I'm thinking of stopping the SMTP, POP3, and IMAP (and their secure counterparts) deamons to disable email during the backup. Is this a good approach?

Yes not a bad idea.

If so, what is the recommended way to shut them down?

This should work:

for s in qpsmtpd sqpsmtpd  imap pop3 imaps pop3s
do
  service $s stop
done