Site Configuration Keyword Reference

for LISTSERV® version 14.5

 

Note: this document is appendix C of the LISTSERV site manager's manual.

 

Last updated 22 February 2006

 

Defining site configuration keyword values

After making changes, restart the server

Alphabetical keyword reference

 

Defining site configuration keyword values

 

The syntax used to define these values differs from platform to platform. For each site configuration keyword we have provided examples for all systems affected by the keyword. A general syntax guide follows:

 

VM

 

KEYWORD = 'somevalue'

 

Note that for VM the space on either side of the "=" sign is required. For substitutions, follow the REXX language syntax. For instance,

 

MAILER = 'mailer@'NODE

MYDOMAIN = NODE 'some.host.com'

 

OpenVMS

 

OpenVMS users should use the LISTSERV_CONFIGURE.COM application, provided with the software, to modify the site configuration file, rather than editing it by hand.

 

For reference, however, SITE_CONFIG.DAT entries look like this:

 

NODE      "LISTSERV.EXAMPLE.COM"

MYDOMAIN    "LISTSERV.EXAMPLE.COM"

LOCAL      "*.EXAMPLE.COM"

DBRINDEX    "1"

 

All values must be in double quotes.

 

Unix (all)

 

Keywords requiring text values:

 

KEYWORD="somevalue"

 

Keywords requiring numeric values (ie, Boolean settings):

 

KEYWORD=number

 

eg, NODE="listserv.mynode.com", but DBRINDEX=0 .

 

For substitutions, follow this example:

 

MYDOMAIN="$NODE some.host.com"

 

Note that under unix, all site configuration variables must be exported. The commonly-used variables are exported for you in the go script. Anything else must be exported at the end of go.user.

 

 

Windows (all)

 

Windows users should use the SITE.EXE application, provided with the software, to modify the site configuration file, rather than editing it by hand. However, it is possible to edit the file by hand if necessary.

 

KEYWORD=somevalue

 

For substitutions, follow this example:

 

MYDOMAIN=%NODE% some.host.com

 

After Making Changes, Restart the Server

 

Whenever you change the contents of the site configuration file, you must stop and restart the LISTSERV server before the changes will take effect. Windows sites using the SMTPL.EXE "listener" should also stop and restart the listener as some changes will affect it as well.

 

Alphabetical Keyword Reference

 

Please see the full documentation of each keyword for platform availability.

 

Keywords not hyperlinked are obscure, undocumented VM-only settings.  If you are a VM site and need help with these settings, please contact L-Soft customer support.

 

If the "Introduced" column is blank, the keyword existed prior to LISTSERV 1.8d (13).

 

Keyword

Introduced

Abstract

ALL_REQUEST_ALLOWED_USERS

14.0

Specifies non-POSTMASTER users who are allowed to post to the ALL-REQUEST alias.

ANTI_VIRUS

14.0

Turns LISTSERV's real-time anti-virus scanning on or off.

BITNET_ROUTE

 

Defines the hostname of a machine that knows how to route mail to BITNET addresses

AVS_DROP_SPAM

14.4

One of two variables that may be set on servers that submit mail to the external LISTSERV AVS for virus and spam scanning, which can help deal with DoS mail-bombing attacks.

AVS_DROP_VIRUS

14.4

One of two variables that may be set on servers that submit mail to the external LISTSERV AVS for virus and spam scanning, which can help deal with DoS mail-bombing attacks.

BOUNCES_TO

1.8d (13)

Tells LISTSERV where to send bounces not related to any particular list

CHANGELOG_DBMS

14.0

Tells LISTSERV to mirror a copy of all or selected changelogs to DBMS.

CHANGELOG_DBMS_CONNECTION

14.0

Used in conjunction with CHANGELOG_DBMS. Sets the DBMS connection characteristics for mirroring changelog data to DBMS.

CHANGELOG_DBMS_TABLE

14.0

Used in conjunction with CHANGELOG_DBMS. Sets the DBMS table characteristics for mirroring changelog data to DBMS.

CHECKMDISK

 

List of library minidisks to be checked at startup

CLI_*

14.0

Three configuration variables under the CLI_* rubric are available for use with DBMS/Mail Merge.

CMDPIPE_HOSTNAME

 

Defines the hostname used by the LCMD utility

CMSNAME

 

The name of the CMS system to be used on IPL commands

CRASH_MONITOR

1.8c (12)

Where to send VMS or NT crash reports

CREATEPW

 

The password required to create new lists

DATABASE

 

Indicates whether the (old) VM database functions are enabled or not

DBMS_*

1.8d (13)

Several configuration variables under the DBMS_* rubric are available for use with the DBMS/Mail Merge.

DBRINDEX

1.8c (12)

Determines whether or not the new LISTSERV database functions use reverse indexing

DEBUG_LOG_TCPGUI

14.3

Show fully-logged TCPGUI commands for debugging purposes.

DEBUG_SHOW_PW

14.3

Debug setting to display passwords in LISTSERV's log file

DEFAULT_CHANGELOG_PERIOD

14.0

Sets a default period for rotating change-logs.

DEFAULT_LANGUAGE

1.8d (13)

Sets the default national language template for use by all lists on the server

DEFAULT_LOOPCHECK

14.5

Sets the server default for the list-level Loopcheck keyword

DEFAULT_MISC_OPTIONS

14.5

Sets the server default for the list-level Misc-Options keyword

DEFAULT_PROBE

 

Sets defaults for passive probing

DEFAULT_SPLIT

1.8b (11)

Provides a default value for the "SPLIT=" command line keyword

DELAY

 

The delay between  two reader-scan operations

DIAGD4

 

Indicates whether LISTSERV should use diagnose X'D4' to mimic the RSCS origin on files it DISTRIBUTEs

DIST_ALLOWED_USERS

1.8d (13)

Space-separated list of non-POSTMASTER users who are to be allowed to use DISTRIBUTE

DIST_FORWARD

14.4

Enables and tunes DISTRIBUTE "workers".  This is a tuning feature for embedded mail merge.

DIST_FORWARD_THRESHOLD

14.4

Enables and tunes DISTRIBUTE "workers".  This is a tuning feature for embedded mail merge.

DIST_OWNER_MAIL_MERGE

1.8d-2000b (13.2)

Determines whether or not list owners may use the mail-merge feature for their lists.

DIST_SECURITY

1.8d (13)

Boolean value which controls security validation feature for the DISTRIBUTE command. WARNING: See Appendix C before changing this value.

DKIM_SIGN_ALL

14.5

Directs LISTSERV to sign all messages for which it has a suitable DomainKeys private key.

EMBEDDED_MAIL_MERGE

14.4

Boolean value which determines whether or not LISTSERV may use an SMTP mailer other than LSMTP to send mail-merge messages.

FILEDISK

 

The filemode of  the DEFAULT disk  to be used  for storing files via a PUT command

FILEMAXL

 

The maximum number of  lines for any incoming non-mail file to be accepted

FILTER_ALLOW

1.8d (13)

Defines users or classes of users who should be exempt from LISTSERV's standard filter

FILTER_ALSO

1.8b (12)

Defines users or classes of users who should not be allowed to post to any list on the server.

FIOC_INUSE_RETRY

 

Defines the number of seconds LISTSERV will try to open a file locked by an external process

FIOC_TARGET

 

Defines (in kilobytes) the "target size" for LISTSERV's file cache.

FIOC_TRIM

 

Defines (in kilobytes) the threshold at which point LISTSERV should start aggressively trimming the cache.

FIOC_WARNING

 

Defines (in kilobytes) the cache size at which LISTSERV should write a warning to the console log.

FOREIGN_ANTI_VIRUS

14.4

Add anti-virus protection for those Windows sites that for policy or other reasons must run anti-virus systems other than F-Secure on their servers.

GETQWAIVE

 

Internet addresses of  persons to  be granted  an "infinite" GET quota

HIDE_TRACEBACK

14.3

Determines whether or not error tracebacks are shown to non-postmasters.

IGNORE

 

(VM only) A list of userid@nodes whose messages and files are to be ignored

IGNORE_EMAIL_CASE

14.1

Provided for DBMS lists with UEMAIL fields to work around RFC821 requirement that an email address local-part must be evaluated case-sensitively.

IGNORE_EXTERNAL_PRIME

1.8d (13)

Boolean value determining whether or not LISTSERV will ignore the PRIME setting on incoming DISTRIBUTE jobs.

INDEX_VIA_GETPOST

1.8c (12)

On VM, determines whether INDEX subscriptions use GETPOST or old-style database jobs by default.

INSTPW

 

The  optional local  "installation password"  associated with the INSTALL command

JOB_STAT_DEFAULT

1.8d (13)

Boolean value determining whether or not the "Summary of resource utilization" is generated or suppressed in a CJLI JOB command response.

LICENSE_WARNING

 

Toggles license warnings on and off. WARNING: See Appendix C before changing this value.

LIST_ADDRESS

 

Default value for the "List-Address=" keyword

LIST_EXITS

1.8a (10)

Filenames of executable files that can be defined as exits by an "Exit=" list header keyword

LMCPUT

 

Boolean variable indicating how PUT commands for datafiles associated  with the LMC FAC are handled

LOCAL

 

a list  of nodes to be associated with  the hardcoded LCL FAC.  Also used as the default for the "Local=" list keyword

MAILER

 

Internet address of the local mailer

MAILMAXL

 

the maximum number of  lines for an incoming  MAIL file to be accepted

MAXBSMTP

 

Maximum number  of 'RCPT TO:'  lines per BSMTP file  sent to the mailer

MAX_CONSECUTIVE_SUBS

14.3

The maximum number of lists to which consecutive subscription attempts will be accepted from a given subscriber, to prevent "spoofing" attacks.

MAXDISTL

 

(HPO only) The maximum number of recipients to be listed in the LISTSERV console log as recipients of an SMTP job

MAXDISTN

 

Maximum number of recipients in forwarded DISTRIBUTE jobs

MAXGET

 

Maximum number of GET requests a user can make per day

MAXGETK

 

Maximum number of kilobytes of data a user may obtain a day             via GET requests.

MDISK.cuu

 

Information about library minidisks

MSGD

 

Userid  of the virtual machine running a  RFC1312/MSP server, if "Internet TELL" support is desired

MYDOMAIN

 

The list of domain names  which are equivalent to NODE--e.g., MX addresses, CNAMEs, etc.

MYORG

 

Short organization name that appears in the RFC-822 "Sender:" line.

NDMAIL

 

Whether to send mail to the local MAILER in Netdata format

NODE

 

Internet address of this LISTSERV host

NO_NJE_JOBS

 

Directs a  VMS™  server  running in  NJE  mode  to send  all outgoing server-to-server requests  via the Internet

OCI_*

1.8d (13)

Three configuration variables under the OCI_* rubric are available for use with the DBMS/Mail Merge.

ODBC_*

1.8d (13)

Three configuration variables under the ODBC_* rubric are available for use with the DBMS/Mail Merge.

OFFLINETHR

 

Defines   the  system   and   RSCS  spool   thresholds  for   automatic offline/online control

PLAIN_FROMLINE

14.3

Controls the "verboseness" of LISTSERV's administrative From: line.

POSTMASTER

 

A list of  userid@nodes, of which  the first one  is the "main" postmaster (to receive transferred files).

PRIMETIME

 

Defines  the  "prime  time"  for your  node

QUALIFY_DOMAIN

1.8b (11)

Defines domain to be appended to all non-qualified addresses

RESMODES

 

Defines a list of filemodes which are to be considered as "reserved" and  never available for  dynamic ACCESS

RSCS

 

A list of local userids which must be treated as RSCS virtual machines

RUNMODE

 

The mode (NETWORKED, STANDALONE, or TABLELESS) that LISTSERV runs in.

SEARCH_DISABLED

1.8d (13)

Determines whether or not the (new) SEARCH command is enabled.

SMTP_FORWARD

1.8b (11)

The Internet hostname of the server to which all outgoing SMTP mail should be forwarded for delivery

SMTP_FORWARD_n

1.8b (11)

Defines n number of "SMTP workers" used to split up the SMTP forwarding load

SMTP_LISTENER_IP

 

Dotted-decimal IP address which sets the IP address to which the SMTPL.EXE "listener" will bind at boot time.

SMTP_LISTENER_PORT

 

Integer value which sets the port number to which the SMTPL.EXE "listener" will bind at boot time

SMTP_RESET_EVERY

1.8b (11)

Directs LISTSERV to reset open SMTP connections every n minutes

SORT_RECIPIENTS

1.8c (12)

Determines whether or not to sort recipients in the RFC821 mail envelope

SPAM_ALERT

14.2

Determines whether or not spam reports are sent to the postmaster

SPAM_DELAY

1.8c (12)

Sets the server-wide value (in minutes) for the anti-spam quarantine period

SPAM_EXIT

14.3

Sets the name of the user-provided exit program used to call a third-party spam scanner.

SPAM_MAXSIZE

14.3

Sets the maximum size, in kilobytes, of any message to be handled by the spam scanner.  Messages over the specified size are not scanned.

Spam Blackists and Whitelists

14.3

How to set up spam blacklists and whitelists (14.3)

SSI

 

Flag telling LISTSERV that it runs in a SSI system

STARTMSG

 

Recipients of start and stop messages

STOREPW

 

The password to be used by postmasters when executing CP/CMS commands and  when storing  files in  the server by  means of  the PUTC command

SYSTEM_CHANGELOG

1.8d-2000b (13.2)

Enables a system-level changelog

TCPGUI_IPADDR

 

Defines the IP address used by the TCPGUI interface

TCPGUI_PORT

 

Defines the port number used by the TCPGUI interface

TRAPIN

 

List  of userid@node  templates  from whom  LISTSERV should  never accept mail

TRAPOUT

 

List of userid@node  templates to whom LISTSERV should never send mail

TUNE_MANY_LISTS

14.3

(HPO only) Enables a suite of HPO functions that can markedly speed up operations on servers with many lists (>100).

UODBC_*

14.5

Three configuration variables under the UODBC_* rubric are available for use with DBMS/Mail Merge.

USE_LSMTP_MAIL_MERGE

 

Determines whether or not LISTSERV will use LSMTP's mail-merge functions for enhanced performance (requires LSMTP Classic version 1.1b or higher). OBSOLETE as of 14.5, see EMBEDDED_MAIL_MERGE instead.

VM30091

 

Indicates whether or not the VM30091 message suppression functions are available

WEB_BROWSER_CONFIRM

1.8c (12)

Indicates whether or not LISTSERV should require "OK" confirmation for commands sent from WWW browsers.

WWW_ARCHIVE_CGI

1.8c (12)

The (preferably) relative URL that leads to the WWW archive CGI script. (This is a URL, not an OS path name.)

WWW_ARCHIVE_DIR

1.8c (12)

The full OS path name to the WWW archive directory

WWW_AUTHINFO_DISABLE

1.8d (13)

Disable/enable the web archive interface's IP address verification function

XFERTO

 

Userid of the  virtual machine to which files found in the lists readers should be transferred


ALL_REQUEST_ALLOWED_USERS

 

Platforms

LISTSERV 1.8e and following.

 

Abstract

Specifies non-POSTMASTER users who are allowed to post to the ALL-REQUEST alias.

 

Example

VM:    ALL_REQUEST_ALLOWED_USERS = 'joe@example.com pete@abc.unix.example.org'

VMS:   ALL_REQUEST_ALLOWED_USERS "joe@example.com pete@abc.unix.example.org"

Unix:  ALL_REQUEST_ALLOWED_USERS="joe@example.com pete@abc.unix.example.org"

Win:   ALL_REQUEST_ALLOWED_USERS=joe@example.com pete@abc.unix.example.org

 

Details

In LISTSERV 1.8e and following, the ability to post to the ALL-REQUEST alias, which expands to all non-quiet list owners, has been restricted as follows:

 

1.                  The site configuration variable, ALL_REQUEST_ALLOWED_USERS, can be used to specify who can mail to ALL-REQUEST. This variable uses the same syntax as POSTMASTER=, in other words, a space-separated list of userid@host specifications.

 

2.                  Postmasters are always allowed to mail to ALL-REQUEST, even when not listed in ALL_REQUEST_ALLOWED_USERS.

 

3.                  The determination is made conclusively on the RFC821 MAIL FROM because:

 

a.       This avoids dealing with header errors. Header error = don't know who sent this = discard silently = unhappy admin who had to send an urgent notice to all his owners.

 

b.       The main point of this change is to block spammers, and spammers typically have non-working or null MAIL FROM: addresses. Needless to say, null doesn't pass the test.

 

4.                  When the MAIL FROM is not null, the REQNAK1 mail template form is sent when the message is rejected.

 

Default Value

Null string.

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.


ANTI_VIRUS

Platforms

LISTSERV 1.8e Classic and later running on Windows NT/2000 or Linux (Intel). Other OS platforms may be supported later.

 

Abstract

Turns LISTSERV's real-time anti-virus scanning on or off. Anti-virus scanning of all messages passing through LISTSERV mailing lists was introduced in version 1.8e. See the relevant section in the Site Manager's Manual for LISTSERV for further details.

 

Example

VM:      ANTI_VIRUS = 0

VMS:      ANTI_VIRUS 0

Unix:      ANTI_VIRUS=0

Win:      ANTI_VIRUS=0

 

Default Value

If the supported anti-virus system is detected, defaults to 1 (enabled), otherwise to 0 (disabled).

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 


AVS_DROP_SPAM

AVS_DROP_VIRUS

Platforms

All version 14.4 and later using the LISTSERV AVS to scan mail for spam or viruses

 

Abstract

Two variables that may be set on servers that submit mail to the external LISTSERV AVS for virus and spam scanning, which can help deal with DoS mail-bombing attacks.

 

Examples (using AVS_DROP_SPAM)

VM:      AVS_DROP_SPAM = 1

VMS:      AVS_DROP_SPAM "1"

Unix:      AVS_DROP_SPAM=1

Win:      AVS_DROP_SPAM=1

 

Details

Two AVS-specific options, AVS_DROP_SPAM and AVS_DROP_VIRUS, are available to deal with mail flooding that may result from a mail-bombing attack on a LISTSERV site protected by an external LISTSERV Anti-Virus Station (AVS).

 

Both options, which default to 0, can be set to 1 to tell an AVS server to drop messages on the floor if they turn out to be spam or infected with a virus. The normal behavior is to return the message to the primary LISTSERV instance, which can then log it and decide what to do with it. In the case where the primary instance is configured to drop the message, it may be more efficient to drop it at the AVS.

 

Please note carefully that this works only with mail submitted to an AVS server.  It does not have any effect on mail scanned locally.

 

Default Value

0 (that is, disabled)


BITNET_ROUTE

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

Defines the Internet hostname of a machine that will be used to route mail to BITNET addresses. If your organization is connected to BITNET, you may want to use the hostname of your main BITNET system for best turnaround time. Otherwise the default value is suitable.

 

Example

VM:      BITNET_ROUTE = 'BITMAIL.LSOFT.COM'

VMS:      BITNET_ROUTE "BITMAIL.LSOFT.COM"

Unix:      BITNET_ROUTE="BITMAIL.LSOFT.COM"

Win:      BITNET_ROUTE=BITMAIL.LSOFT.COM

 

Default Value

If not explicitly defined, this keyword defaults to BITMAIL.LSOFT.COM.

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 

BOUNCES_TO

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

Tells LISTSERV where to send bounces that are not related to any specific list (i.e., bounces that should never have been sent to LISTSERV to begin with). This includes almost every situation in which LISTSERV thinks it has detected a bounce and cannot determine which list it is for, along with messages about served-out users. It does not include mail sent to the owner-listserv mailbox, which will still go to the LISTSERV maintainer(s).

 

Example

VM:      BOUNCES_TO = 'FOO@VM.EXAMPLE.EDU'

VMS:      BOUNCES_TO "FOO@VM.EXAMPLE.EDU"

Unix:      BOUNCES_TO="FOO@VM.EXAMPLE.EDU"

Win:      BOUNCES_TO=FOO@VM.EXAMPLE.EDU

 

Default Value

Defaults to the value of the POSTMASTER variable.

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 


CHANGELOG_DBMS

Platforms

All platforms under which LISTSERV's DBMS features are supported, starting with LISTSERV 1.8e.

 

Abstract

In LISTSERV 1.8e and later, tells LISTSERV to mirror a copy of all or selected changelogs to DBMS.

 

Examples

VMS:     CHANGELOG_DBMS "ALL"

         CHANGELOG_DBMS "SYSTEM BIGLIST-L"

Unix:    CHANGELOG_DBMS="ALL"

         CHANGELOG_DBMS="SYSTEM BIGLIST-L"

Win:     CHANGELOG_DBMS=ALL

         CHANGELOG_DBMS=SYSTEM BIGLIST-L

 

Details

LISTSERV 1.8e allows a copy of change logs to be stored in a DBMS. This requires a pre-existing DBMS connection (see the Developer's Guide for LISTSERV, chapter 4, if you need guidance), and is controlled by three new site configuration parameters, and a table that must be created manually. The parameters, which are defined in LISTSERV's site configuration file, are CHANGELOG_DBMS, CHANGELOG_DBMS_TABLE, and CHANGELOG_DBMS_CONNECTION .  The first two are mandatory while the third is optional.

 

Note:  It is not possible for LISTSERV to write the changelog in multiple different tables based on various combinations of parameters. This can be accomplished on the DBMS side with a stored procedure if required.

 

Important: The DBMS copy is just that, a copy. The disk files are still generated. Naturally if they are not needed they may periodically be erased with a script.

 

CHANGELOG_DBMS controls which entries are to be copied to the DBMS. Note that only entries that are actually generated can be copied. If a given change-log is disabled, it will not go to the DBMS even if you request it in this variable.

 

The value can be ALL or a space-separated combination of SYSTEM, NOLIST (matches any NOLIST-xxx), LISTS (matches any list) or the names of individual lists.

 

Default Value

Not set (null string).

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 

See also

CHANGELOG_DBMS_TABLE, CHANGELOG_DBMS_CONNECTION

 

 

CHANGELOG_DBMS_CONNECTION

Platforms

All platforms under which LISTSERV's DBMS features are supported, starting with LISTSERV 1.8e.

 

Abstract

Used in conjunction with CHANGELOG_DBMS. Sets the DBMS connection characteristics for mirroring changelog data to DBMS. This parameter is optional if CHANGELOG_DBMS is used and does not normally need to be set.

 

Example

 

VMS:     CHANGELOG_DBMS_CONNECTION "ODBC MYSERVER"

Unix:    CHANGELOG_DBMS_CONNECTION="ODBC MYSERVER"

Win:     CHANGELOG_DBMS_CONNECTION=ODBC MYSERVER

 

Details

This contains two optional space separated words:

 

1.                  The type of driver to be used (CLI, OCI, ODBC). This defaults to your system default driver type.

2.                  The server to connect to (similar to SERVER=). This defaults to the empty string ie the default server.

 

Default Value

Not set (the defaults are as noted in the details).

 

See also

CHANGELOG_DBMS

 

 


CHANGELOG_DBMS_TABLE

Platforms

All platforms under which LISTSERV's DBMS features are supported, starting with LISTSERV 1.8e.

 

Abstract

Used in conjunction with CHANGELOG_DBMS. Sets the DBMS table characteristics for mirroring changelog data to DBMS. This parameter is required to be set if CHANGELOG_DBMS is used.

 

Example

VMS:     CHANGELOG_DBMS_TABLE "CHANGELOG TIMESTAMP LISTNAME RECORDTYPE PARAMETERS"

Unix:    CHANGELOG_DBMS_TABLE="CHANGELOG TIMESTAMP LISTNAME RECORDTYPE PARAMETERS"

Win:     CHANGELOG_DBMS_TABLE=CHANGELOG TIMESTAMP LISTNAME RECORDTYPE PARAMETERS

 

Details

This contains five space-separated names:

 

1.                  The name of the table in which to store changelog entries.

2.                  The name of a time-stamp column in which to write the current date and time. This must be a DATE (Oracle), TIMESTAMP (DB2), DATETIME (SQL Server), or whatever else can store both date and time. This cannot be a character string.

3.                  The name of a VARCHAR or equivalent column storing the name of the list. The maximum size depends on the list names you choose, but it should be at least 40.

4.                  The name of a VARCHAR column storing the record type (BOUNCE, etc). This should probably be around 40.

5.                  The name of a VARCHAR column storing the parameters. This ought to be 256 or so.

 

If any of these parameters is missing, the setting is ignored.

 

Default Value

Not set (null string).

 

See also

CHANGELOG_DBMS

CHECKMDISK

Platforms

VM only

 

Abstract

Defines the list of library minidisks to be checked at startup.

 

Example

CHECKMDISK = '191 192'

 

Details

This parameter defines the LISTSERV "library" minidisks, i.e., minidisks on which LISTSERV might have to read or write list archives or library files (as opposed to "system" files like PROFILE EXEC or DATABASE FILE which are manipulated by LISTSERV but are not apparent to the users).

 

Default Value

None. This parameter must be set explicitly.

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 

See also

MDISK.cuu

 

CLI_*

Platforms

AIX, HP-UX, Linux (x86 only), Solaris. LISTSERV Classic only.

 

Details

Three configuration variables under the CLI_* rubric are available for use with the DBMS/Mail Merge functionality introduced in LISTSERV 1.8d. Please see the Developer's Guide for LISTSERV (available separately) for documentation.

 


CMDPIPE_HOSTNAME

 

Platforms

Windows NT/2000 only

 

Abstract

Defines the default hostname used by the LCMD interface

 

Example

CMDPIPE_HOSTNAME=EXAMPLE.COM

 

Details

This variable allows you to specify the hostname used when you communicate with LISTSERV via the LCMD interface. For instance your LISTSERV host may be named LISTSERV.MYCORP.COM, in which case LCMD will identify you to LISTSERV as userid@LISTSERV.MYCORP.COM. This is fine as long as you have added this address to the POSTMASTER variable, but privileged commands will probably fail if you haven't (for instance you may be listed as userid@MYCORP.COM instead, which works fine via mail).

 

In order to simplify the issue and not have to code extra userids into the POSTMASTER variable just to be able to use LCMD, you can simply set CMDPIPE_HOSTNAME=MYCORP.COM and LCMD will issue commands from userid@MYCORP.COM instead of the default.

 

This setting is particularly useful for large list providers such as L-Soft itself, where there are many different nodes all operated by the same small group of people, and it would otherwise be difficult to keep track of personnel changes across the "farm" of machines.

 

Default Value

Defaults to the DNS A name of the LISTSERV host.

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 

 


CMSNAME

Platforms

VM only

 

Abstract

The name of the CMS system to be used on IPL commands.

 

Example

CMSNAME = 'CMS'

 

Details

This parameter defines the LISTSERV "library" minidisks, i.e., minidisks on which LISTSERV might have to read or write list archives or library files (as opposed to "system" files like PROFILE EXEC or DATABASE FILE which are manipulated by LISTSERV but are not apparent to the users).

 

Default Value

The standard value for your system.

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 


CRASH_MONITOR

Platforms

OpenVMS, Windows NT/2000

 

Abstract

Defines the address to which LISTSERV will send crash reports upon restart.

 

Example

VMS:      CRASH_MONITOR "CRASHLST@LISTSERV.EXAMPLE.COM"

NT:      CRASH_MONITOR=CRASHLST@LISTSERV.EXAMPLE.COM

 

Default Value

Defaults to all non-quiet POSTMASTERs.

 

Details

By default, LISTSERV crash reports are mailed to the LISTSERV maintainer(s). You can change the destination of these reports by adding a CRASH_MONITOR variable to your site configuration file (SITE.CFG for NT, SITE_CONFIG.DAT for VMS) with the e-mail addresses to which the report should be mailed. Note that CRASH_MONITOR replaces the entire recipient list, so make sure that all the necessary addresses are listed. This configuration variable follows the same syntax rules as POSTMASTER.

 

Please do not add L-Soft mailboxes to CRASH_MONITOR without checking with our support group first. While we will be happy to receive these reports, we want to make sure that they are sent to the addresses where we can process them most efficiently. In particular, these reports should never be mailed to a support engineer's personal mailbox. Instead, we use special addresses where these reports are logged for future reference.

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 


CREATEPW

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

Defines the password used to validate the creation of new lists.

 

Example

VM:      CREATEPW = 'SECRET'

VMS:      CREATEPW "SECRET"

Unix:      CREATEPW="SECRET"

Win:      CREATEPW=SECRET

 

Details

Starting with LISTSERV 14.3, this setting is obsolete and deprecated, as all POSTMASTER-restricted commands can now be validated with the postmaster's personal password.  Also starting with LISTSERV 14.3, setting CREATEPW to the special value *NOPW* tells LISTSERV to disable CREATEPW entirely.

 

Default Value

None. This parameter must be set explicitly.

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 

DATABASE

Platforms

VM only

 

Abstract

Boolean value that determines whether or not the database (archive search) functions are enabled. 0= no, 1= yes.

 

Example

DATABASE = 0

 

Default Value

DATABASE = 1

 

DBMS_*

Platforms

VMS, unix (some), Windows NT/2000. LISTSERV Classic only.

 

Details

Several configuration variables under the DBMS_* rubric are available for use with the DBMS/Mail Merge functionality introduced in LISTSERV 1.8d. Please see the Developer's Guide for LISTSERV (available separately) for documentation.

 


 DBRINDEX

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

Determines whether or not LISTSERV’s database functions use reverse indexing. Please see the 1.8c release notes for a full discussion of whether or not you should use reverse indexing.

 

Example

VM:      DBRINDEX = 0

VMS:      DBRINDEX "0"

Unix:      DBRINDEX=0

Win:      DBRINDEX=0

 

Default Value

For VM and VMS: DBRINDEX=0

For unix and Windows: DBRINDEX=1

 

 

DEBUG_LOG_TCPGUI

Platforms

All non-VM, starting with LISTSERV 14.3

 

Abstract

Show fully-logged TCPGUI commands for debugging purposes.

 

Example

VMS:      DEBUG_LOG_TCPGUI "1"

unix:      DEBUG_LOG_TCPGUI=1

Win:      DEBUG_LOG_TCPGUI=1

 

Details

By default, LISTSERV truncates overly long TCPGUI command lines to make logs less cumbersome.  A new site configuration file variable called DEBUG_LOG_TCPGUI is available, defaulting to 0.

 

When set to 1, all commands starting with 'X-' are logged with no size limit.

 

Enabling TCPGUI debugging makes logs very large. Therefore L-Soft does not recommend leaving this option enabled for long periods.  It should be used for debugging only and disabled after troubleshooting has been completed.

 

Default Value

The default is 0, that is, do not log the full TCPGUI command line.

 


DEBUG_SHOW_PW

Platforms

All, starting with LISTSERV 14.3

 

Abstract

Debug setting to display passwords in LISTSERV's log file

 

Example

VM:      DEBUG_SHOW_PW = 1

VMS:      DEBUG_SHOW_PW "1"

unix:      DEBUG_SHOW_PW=1

Win:      DEBUG_SHOW_PW=1

 

Details

Prior to LISTSERV 14.3, LISTSERV always logged passwords received in plain text along with the commands they authenticated. To prevent unintentional password disclosure when e-mailing logs for troubleshooting purposes, LISTSERV now suppresses all passwords in its logs.  Passwords are replaced with the text "[redacted]". This applies not only to the PW= keyword, but to the PW and PWC commands, and the internal X-PWADD command used by the web interface.

 

As it is recognized that sometimes passwords need to be seen for debugging purposes, especially on development servers, this debugging option has been added to override the new behavior.

 

Default Value

The default is 0, that is, obfuscate passwords in the log.

 


DEFAULT_CHANGELOG_PERIOD

Platforms

Non-VM

 

Abstract

Sets the default change-log rotation period in LISTSERV 1.8e and later.

 

Example

VMS:      DEFAULT_CHANGELOG_PERIOD "MONTHLY"

Unix:      DEFAULT_CHANGELOG_PERIOD="MONTHLY"

Win:      DEFAULT_CHANGELOG_PERIOD=MONTHLY

 

Details

In LISTSERV 1.8e and following it is possible to automatically rotate list and system change-log files on a periodic basis. This site configuration variable allows site administrators to set a server-default rotation period, which can be one of the following: SINGLE (the 1.8d behavior), YEARLY, MONTHLY, DAILY, or WEEKLY.

 

Default Value

For backward compatibility, the default is SINGLE.

 


 DEFAULT_LANGUAGE

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

This variable sets the defaults for the Language= keyword for all lists on the server.

 

Examples

VM:      DEFAULT_LANGUAGE = 'ESPANOL'

      DEFAULT_LANGUAGE = 'NOHTML'

      DEFAULT_LANGUAGE = 'FRANCAIS EXCHANGE'

VMS:      DEFAULT_LANGUAGE "ESPANOL"

unix:      DEFAULT_LANGUAGE="ESPANOL"

Win:      DEFAULT_LANGUAGE=ESPANOL

 

Details

As with other site-level configuration variables, this is a space-separated list of parameters. DEFAULT_LANGUAGE is particularly useful for servers running in non-English-speaking countries and/or with few lists in English. In 1.8d and following, this variable allows you to define a default national language mail template file for all lists (thereby eliminating the need to code "Language=" in all lists in order to make them use the national language template). Setting this variable to any value other than "ENGLISH" assumes that you have provided a national language mail template file (see the entry for "Language=" in Appendix B for details). If this variable is left unset or is set to "ENGLISH", LISTSERV uses the DEFAULT MAILTPL file (in other words there is no ENGLISH MAILTPL).

 

You can also change the list-level defaults for the NOHTML, HTML, and EXCHANGE options if desired.

 

Default Value

Not set (the default settings for theLanguage= list header keyword are in force).

 

 


DEFAULT_LOOPCHECK

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

This variable sets the default for the Loopcheck= keyword for all lists on the server.

 

Examples

VM:       DEFAULT_LOOPCHECK = 'FULL'

VMS:       DEFAULT_LOOPCHECK "FULL"

unix:       DEFAULT_LOOPCHECK="FULL"

export DEFAULT_LOOPCHECK

Win:       DEFAULT_LOOPCHECK=FULL

 

Details

In LISTSERV 14.5, the loopcheck heuristic defaults to "Loopcheck= Normal" (which is a new option to that keyword setting) if there is no explicit "Loopcheck=" setting in the list header. This is a backward-compatible change that eliminates from the default test suite the test that results in the error "Sender:", "From:" or "Reply-To:" field pointing to the list.

 

This test was eliminated because the kinds of loops it was designed to prevent no longer occur on a typical discussion list; most MTAs that were responsible for them have long since been fixed. On the other hand, there are still exceptions, and this test remains the only reliable way to catch these kinds of loops. To put things in perspective, whenever you post something to a discussion list and you, the poster, receive a notice that the mailbox does not exist, it is a signal that the list may be at risk for this type of loop. Nowadays, this almost never happens, but there are still lists where it does. In addition, the larger the list, the higher the risk.

 

To revert to the pre-14.5 behavior at the server level, set DEFAULT_LOOPCHECK=FULL as shown in the examples above.  This setting may then be overridden at the list level if desired.

 

In the future, it is anticipated that other tests found to be obsolete will be moved from the "Normal" suite to the "Full" suite, for the same backward compatibility.

 

Default Value

NORMAL

 


DEFAULT_MISC_OPTIONS

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

This variable sets the default for the Misc-Options= keyword for all lists on the server.

 

Examples

VM:       DEFAULT_MISC_OPTIONS = '+IGNORE_EMAIL_CASE SUPPRESS_APPROVED_BY'

VMS:       DEFAULT_MISC_OPTIONS "+IGNORE_EMAIL_CASE SUPPRESS_APPROVED_BY"

unix:       DEFAULT_MISC_OPTIONS="+IGNORE_EMAIL_CASE SUPPRESS_APPROVED_BY"

export DEFAULT_MISC_OPTIONS

Win:       DEFAULT_MISC_OPTIONS=+IGNORE_EMAIL_CASE SUPPRESS_APPROVED_BY

 

Details

A DEFAULT_MISC_OPTIONS variable is now available for use in the site configuration file.  When populated with one or more of the available values for the Misc-Options= list header keyword, it sets a default for all lists that do not already have a Misc-Options= setting.  If a list has a Misc-Options= keyword, the site-level setting is normally overridden.  For instance, if you have (using Windows site.cfg for an example)

 

DEFAULT_MISC_OPTIONS=IGNORE_EMAIL_CASE

 

and a given list has

 

* Misc-Options= RESPECT_EMAIL_CASE

 

then the list-level option overrides the site-level option.

 

You may also prefix options in DEFAULT_MISC_OPTIONS with either  a plus  or minus sign (no  space between  the +/-  sign and  the name  of the  option). As before, an unprefixed option is active  if the list owner did not specify any "Misc-Options=" keyword, and is otherwise ignored.

 

An option prefixed with a plus sign is always active,  for every list. There is  no way for the list owner to turn it off.  Therefore, if we modified our example above to read

 

DEFAULT_MISC_OPTIONS=+IGNORE_EMAIL_CASE

 

then that would always override any list-level setting.

 

Likewise, an option prefixed with a minus signed is prohibited and will be ignored if specified in the list header.  Therefore something like

 

DEFAULT_MISC_OPTIONS=-NO_SPAM_CHECK

 

would disallow list owners from disabling the spam check for their list by setting "Misc-Options= NO_SPAM_CHECK".

 

DOCUMENTED RESTRICTION:  Using the plus and minus prefixes together for the same option (for instance, "DEFAULT_MISC_OPTIONS=+-NO_SPAM_CHECK") will produce unpredictable results and is not supported or recommended.  In the example case, there is no good reason to both (a) force no spam check for all lists and also (b) ignore it if specified in a given list header; all that's needed in that case is the plus prefix.

 

Multiple options for DEFAULT_MISC_OPTIONS are specified in the usual space-separated manner.

 

Default Value

Not set (the default settings for theMisc-Options= list header keyword are in force).

 

 

 

 DEFAULT_PROBE

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

This variable sets defaults for passive probing.

 

Examples

VM:      DEFAULT_PROBE = '10 500'

      DEFAULT_PROBE = 21

VMS:      DEFAULT_PROBE "10 500"

      DEFAULT_PROBE "21"

unix:      DEFAULT_PROBE="10 500"

      DEFAULT_PROBE=21

Win:      DEFAULT_PROBE=10 500

      DEFAULT_PROBE=21

 

Details

In 1.8d and following, a feature called "passive probing" is enabled by default for lists under a certain size. This variable controls two aspects of passive probing. The first parameter to this variable is the length of the default passive probing cycle in days.

 

Because passive probing is very resource-intensive, above a certain list size it is disabled by default. The second (and optional) parameter to this variable is the list size beyond which passive probing is disabled unless you explicitly enable it in the Auto-Delete= list header keyword.

 

Since probes do not work with sendmail, the default under unix is to disable passive probing altogether.

 

Default Value

All platforms except unix:             DEFAULT_PROBE=30 1000

Unix only:                             DEFAULT_PROBE=0

 


 DEFAULT_SPLIT

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

Provides a default value for the "SPLIT=" command line keyword, causing files ordered through the GET command to be automatically split into smaller "chunks". This option can be useful if LISTSERV is behind a firewall or other central mail gateway with an unusually low maximum message size limit. Unit: kilobytes.

 

Example

VM:      DEFAULT_SPLIT = 250

VMS:      DEFAULT_SPLIT "250"

unix:      DEFAULT_SPLIT=250

Win:      DEFAULT_SPLIT=250

 

Default Value

Not set - messages are not split unless specifically requested by the user.

 

DELAY

Platforms

VM only

 

Abstract

The delay between two reader-scan operations. Increasing it will reduce CPU time consumption but will increase response time.

 

Example

DELAY = 250

 

Default Value

Standard value.

 

DIAGD4

Platforms

VM only

 

Abstract

Indicates whether LISTSERV should use diagnose X’D4’ to mimic the RSCS origin on files it DISTRIBUTEs. Boolean value. Requires VM/SP release 5 and privilege class B.

 

Example

DIAGD4 = 1

 

Default Value

DIAGD4 = 0

 


DIST_ALLOWED_USERS

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

In 1.8d and following, space-separated list of non-POSTMASTER users who are to be allowed to use DISTRIBUTE. SEE DETAILS.

 

Example

VM:      DIST_ALLOWED_USERS = 'joe@unix.host.com alma@univ.edu'

VMS:      DIST_ALLOWED_USERS "joe@unix.host.com alma@univ.edu"

unix:      DIST_ALLOWED_USERS="joe@unix.host.com alma@univ.edu"

Win:      DIST_ALLOWED_USERS=joe@unix.host.com alma@univ.edu

 

Details

In 1.8d, to secure the DISTRIBUTE command from use by spammers, a security validation feature was added. Only a user defined in POSTMASTER or in DIST_ALLOWED_USERS may issue the DISTRIBUTE command, and the DISTRIBUTE command must be validated with that user's personal LISTSERV password.

 

Default Value

Not set (null value).

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 

See also

DIST_SECURITY

 


DIST_FORWARD

DIST_FORWARD_THRESHOLD

 

Abstract

In 14.4 and following, enables and tunes DISTRIBUTE "workers".  This is a tuning feature for embedded mail merge, also introduced in 14.4.

Example

DIST_FORWARD=smtp.example.com 2*smtp2.example.com

DIST_FORWARD_THRESHOLD=200

 

Details

Configuring many SMTP workers through the SMTP_FORWARD_nSMTP_FORWARD_n site configuration parameter will help speed up the delivery of the many individual mail files generated with the embedded mail-merge feature. However, in very high volume situations, it may also be desirable to off-load the work of generating the many individual mail files to one or more separate servers.

 

This can be done in LISTSERV 14.4 by configuring additional LISTSERV instances to be “DISTRIBUTE workers”. The primary LISTSERV instance can quickly divide and delegate the mail-merge responsibility among its workers and get on with its own work while the “workers” take care of the brute-force generation of the individual mail messages, which are then delivered by the workers’ SMTP workers. By using several DISTRIBUTE workers, not only does the primary instance’s availability increase, but the deliveries can be forwarded to the SMTP server(s) much faster because multiple messages are being generated in parallel, instead of one at time.

 

In most cases, each instance will run on a separate, dedicated server, but this is not a requirement. On a very large server with many CPUs and as many independent disk drives, it could make sense to run multiple instances on the same server.

 

Each instance requires a separate license. Since this feature is intended for processing large volumes, the primary instance must be running with an HPO license. The “worker” instances must have either HPO licenses (in which case they can also act as standalone LISTSERV hosts), or special SCOPE=DISTWORKER licenses (in which case they are dedicated DISTRIBUTE workers).

 

DISTRIBUTE workers are enabled with two options set in the primary instance’s site configuration:

 

1. DIST_FORWARD_THRESHOLD=nnn

This setting is optional, and defaults to 100. It defines the minimum number of total recipients to make use of the workers. It would be inefficient to forward a message with one recipient to a worker so that it could deliver it for you.

 

2. DIST_FORWARD=[[n*]hostname [[n*]hostname [...]]

This is a space-separated list of all your DISTRIBUTE workers.

 

For "hostname", you can specify just the hostname if the userid is LISTSERV. If the userid is not LISTSERV, then you must specify a full RFC822 e-mail address pointing to the USERID= address for that server.

 

Optionally, you can specify a weight (the "n" parameter), which defaults to 1. The number of recipients sent to a particular server is proportional to its weight. The weight must be greater than zero. If a particular server is specified multiple times, the weights are added.

 

By default, the primary server also takes one share of recipients. In other words, it has a weight of 1. You can change that using the special hostname “SELF”. So, if you want a double share for your primary LISTSERV because it runs on a bigger server, just add 2*SELF to the list. SELF is the only worker allowed to have a weight of zero. In this case, nothing is processed locally (except for jobs that are below the threshold). For very large mail-merge volumes, 0*SELF is recommended.

 

A worker cannot delegate jobs to sub-workers, but the primary instance can drive any number of workers.

 

See also

EMBEDDED_MAIL_MERGE

 

 


DIST_OWNER_MAIL_MERGE

Platforms

Non-VM

 

Abstract

In 1.8d and following, a Boolean value that determines whether or not list owners may use the mail-merge feature for their lists. BE SURE TO READ DETAILS BELOW!

 

Example

VMS:      DIST_OWNER_MAIL_MERGE "1"

unix:      DIST_OWNER_MAIL_MERGE=1

Win:      DIST_OWNER_MAIL_MERGE=1

 

Details

DO NOT ENABLE THIS FEATURE UNLESS YOU ARE USING LSMTP AS YOUR OUTBOUND MTA, OR UNLESS YOU HAVE ENABLED EMBEDDED MAIL MERGE!!!!

 

By default, list owners who are not LISTSERV postmasters may not use the mail-merge features against their own lists (ie, via the "Mail-Merge" button in the web administration interface). Setting this variable to 1 enables this feature for all list owners on the server.

 

LISTSERV postmasters may always use mail-merge features regardless of the setting of this variable, as it is assumed that they know whether or not LSMTP Classic 1.1b or higher is installed and/or whether or not LISTSERV's embedded mail merge feature is available and enabled, whereas individual list owners may not have this information.

 

Note that if embedded mail merge is not available (pre-14.4) or is not enabled, the SMTP_FORWARD* variables MUST IMPERATIVELY be pointed to a host which is running LSMTP Classic version 1.1b or higher, since LISTSERV's mail-merge features require LSMTP Classic version 1.1b or higher.

 

NOTE CAREFULLY that mail-merge operations will fail if the prerequisites are not met, as mail-merge operations use L-Soft proprietary extensions to the BSMTP protocol.  If embedded mail merge is not available or enabled, LSMTP MUST be used with mail-merge.

 

Default Value

0

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 

 


DIST_SECURITY

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

In 1.8d and following, Boolean value which turns off new security validation feature for the DISTRIBUTE command. SEE DETAILS.

 

Example

VM:      DIST_SECURITY = 0

VMS:      DIST_SECURITY "0"

unix:      DIST_SECURITY=0

Win:      DIST_SECURITY=0

 

Details

In 1.8d, to secure the DISTRIBUTE command from use by spammers, a security validation feature was added. Only a user defined in POSTMASTER or in DIST_ALLOWED_USERS may issue the DISTRIBUTE command, and the DISTRIBUTE command must be validated with that user's personal LISTSERV password. This feature is turned on by default.

 

If it is deemed necessary to revert to the pre-1.8d behavior, simply set this variable to zero and restart the server. However this is NOT RECOMMENDED as the original behavior would continue to allow the indiscriminate use of DISTRIBUTE by spammers. L-Soft will not be responsible for any consequences deriving from the disabling of this feature.

 

Default Value

1

 

See also

DIST_ALLOWED_USERS

 


DKIM_SIGN_ALL

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

In 14.5 and following, Boolean value which tells LISTSERV whether or not to sign all messages for which it has a suitable DomainKeys private key. SEE DETAILS.

 

Example

VM:      DKIM_SIGN_ALL = 0

VMS:      DKIM_SIGN_ALL "0"

unix:      DKIM_SIGN_ALL=0

Win:      DKIM_SIGN_ALL=0

 

Details

Starting with version 14.5, LISTSERV supports DomainKeys for outbound mail as described in the Internet draft draft-delany-domainkeys-base-03 .  Your LISTSERV Classic or Classic HPO installation must have current maintenance in order to enable this support.

 

Additionally, LISTSERV HPO for Windows, Linux, and FreeBSD incorporates a DomainKeys Accellerator for faster signing of messages.  The accellerator is part of HPO and cannot be disabled without disabling HPO.

 

Once you have become comfortable with DomainKeys signatures, you may want to have LISTSERV sign every message that it generates, regardless of its source.  Setting DKIM_SIGN_ALL=1 in the site configuration file tells LISTSERV to try to sign every message for which it has a suitable private key, as defined in the DKIM_SIGN configuration parameter.

 

IMPORTANT:  Please review Using LISTSERV with DomainKeys before enabling this feature. DomainKeys support MUST be configured in LISTSERV or message signing will fail.

 

Default Value

0

 

See also

Using LISTSERV with DomainKeys

 

 


EMBEDDED_MAIL_MERGE

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

Starting with LISTSERV 14.4, any high-capacity SMTP server can be used to deliver e-mail that uses mail-merge. When operating in this mode, the proprietary mail-merge BSMTP features of LSMTP are not required for mail-merge.

 

Embedded mail-merge is activated in LISTSERV by adding the EMBEDDED_MAIL_MERGE= site configuration variable to the site configuration file and restarting LISTSERV.

 

Example

EMBEDDED_MAIL_MERGE=1

 

Details

Embedded mail-merge is a "brute-force" method. In this mode, each individual merged message is written to LISTSERV's spool as a single-recipient MAIL file. In turn, each individual MAIL file is then delivered by SMTP to the outbound SMTP_FORWARD host.

 

Since Batch SMTP (BSMTP) cannot be used in the embedded mode, sites with very high volumes of mail may wish to split the load across multiple outbound mail servers using SMTP "workers" (defined with SMTP_FORWARD_n variable settings in the site configuration file). In addition, the new DISTRIBUTE "workers" (detailed in the next section) can be used in very high volume situations to move mail smoothly.

 

Default Value

0 (that is, disabled)

 

FILEDISK

Platforms

VM only

 

Abstract

The filemode of the DEFAULT disk to be used for storing files with a PUT command.

 

Example

FILEDISK = 'L5'

 

Default Value

FILEDISK = 'A5'

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 


FILEMAXL

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

The maximum number of lines for any incoming non-mail file to be accepted. A non-mail file is defined as a piece of mail that contains LISTSERV commands (eg, a bulk ADD or DELETE job) as opposed to a piece of mail that contains a message (eg, a list posting).

 

Example

VM:      FILEMAXL = 25000

VMS:      FILEMAXL "25000"

unix:      FILEMAXL=25000

Win:      FILEMAXL=25000

 

Default Value

100000

 

See also

MAILMAXL

FILTER_ALLOW

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

Blank-delimited list of addresses or wildcards which will be exempted from LISTSERV's standard loop-detection filter.

 

Example

VM:      FILTER_ALLOW = '*@GOODNODE.COM POSTMASTER@SOMEHOST.NET'

VMS:      FILTER_ALLOW "*@GOODNODE.COM POSTMASTER@SOMEHOST.NET"

unix:      FILTER_ALLOW="*@GOODNODE.COM POSTMASTER@SOMEHOST.NET"

Win:      FILTER_ALLOW=*@GOODNODE.COM POSTMASTER@SOMEHOST.NET

 

Details

This variable determines what, if any, exemptions are made to the standard set of addresses normally bounced by LISTSERV as part of its loop-checking heuristic. For instances, if you want to allow POSTMASTER@SOMEHOST.NET to post to lists like a normal user, you can add that value to this variable. Or if you should decide that any postmaster account anywhere should be allowed to post to lists, you can add the value POSTMASTER@* (but please note that L-Soft does not recommend this). FILTER_ALLOW works in conjunction with enhancements to the Filter= list header keyword; for more information on this interaction please see Appendix B.

 

Default Value

Not set; adds to LISTSERV's built-in filter.

 

Wildcards

Allowed.


FILTER_ALSO

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

Blank-delimited list of problem users who should not be allowed to post or subscribe to any list. This is similar to the "Filter=" list header keyword, but applies to all the lists. The FILTER_ALSO option is usually used to filter out problematic mail gateways, anonymous remailers (if anonymous postings are not desired), troublesome users, etc. Please refer to the list owner’s guide for more information.

 

Example

VM:      FILTER_ALSO = '*@BADNODE.COM OBNOXUSR@SOMEHOST.NET'

VMS:      FILTER_ALSO "*@BADNODE.COM OBNOXUSR@SOMEHOST.NET"

unix:      FILTER_ALSO="*@BADNODE.COM OBNOXUSR@SOMEHOST.NET"

Win:      FILTER_ALSO=*@BADNODE.COM OBNOXUSR@SOMEHOST.NET

 

Details

Sometimes it may be necessary to deny a specific user (or a class of users) access to all the lists hosted by your server. This may be due to policies internal to your organization, technical problems, or simply to lock out an obnoxious user. FILTER_ALSO adds to the standard LISTSERV filter and denies access to all lists on the server.

 

Default Value

Not set; adds to LISTSERV's built-in filter.

 

Wildcards

Allowed.


FIOC_INUSE_RETRY

Platforms

VM, OpenVMS, Windows

 

Abstract

Defines the number of seconds LISTSERV will try to open a file which is locked by an external process.

 

Example

VM:      FIOC_INUSE_RETRY = 15

VMS:      FIOC_INUSE_RETRY "15"

Win:      FIOC_INUSE_RETRY=15

 

Details

Sometimes LISTSERV may try to open a file (such as a list file) while that file is locked by an external process (for instance, a nightly backup program). If the open attempt times out, an error is generated. This functionality is not available on unix because file locking is not implemented.

 

Default Value

10


FIOC_TARGET

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

Defines the "target size" for LISTSERV's file cache (in kilobytes). (Windows sites can set this option through the various "Optimize for..." buttons in the LISTSERV configuration program.) See the LISTSERV Tuning Guide (available from L-Soft at no extra charge) for more information.

 

Example

VM:      FIOC_TARGET = 15000

VMS:      FIOC_TARGET "15000"

unix:      FIOC_TARGET=15000

Win:      FIOC_TARGET=15000

 

Details

One of three variables that control how LISTSERV handles its built-in data cache. FIOC_TARGET is the "target size" for the cache. LISTSERV will strive to keep the cache to about that size, but will allow it to grow past this value for short periods of time. LISTSERV expects that it will have fast access (low paging rate) to these FIOC_TARGET kilobytes of cache memory; it does not help to increase this value if your system is memory-constrained.

 

Default Value

System dependent.

 


FIOC_TRIM

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

Defines the threshold (in kilobytes) where LISTSERV should start aggressively trimming the cache. (Windows sites can set this option through the various "Optimize for..." buttons in the LISTSERV configuration program.) See the LISTSERV Tuning Guide (available from L-Soft at no extra charge) for more information.

 

Example

VM:      FIOC_TRIM = 17000

VMS:      FIOC_TRIM "17000"

unix:      FIOC_TRIM=17000

Win:      FIOC_TRIM=17000

 

Details

One of three variables that control how LISTSERV handles its cache. FIOC_TRIM is the point at which LISTSERV should start aggressively trimming the cache in order to free up virtual storage. Typically this value should be set to FIOC_TARGET plus 20% or 512KB (whichever is larger).

 

Default Value

System dependent.

 

 


FIOC_WARNING

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

Defines the cache size (in kilobytes) at which LISTSERV should write a warning to the console log. (Windows sites can set this option through the various "Optimize for..." buttons in the LISTSERV configuration program.) See the LISTSERV Tuning Guide (available from L‑Soft at no extra charge) for more information.

 

Example

VM:      FIOC_WARNING = 20000

VMS:      FIOC_WARNING "20000"

unix:      FIOC_WARNING=20000

Win:      FIOC_WARNING=20000

 

Details

One of three variables that control how LISTSERV handles its cache. Under certain circumstances, LISTSERV may not be able to trim the cache right away, either because a cache entry is locked by a routine that maintains pointers to it or because the file is currently open and thus it would be counter-productive to flush the cache entry right away. In such cases, the cache size can continue to grow past FIOC_TRIM. When it reaches FIOC_WARNING, a warning is displayed on the LISTSERV log. This probably indicates a programming error, or a value of FIOC_TARGET which is significantly below the "correct" value for your workload. Typically this value should be set to FIOC_TARGET plus 75% or 1MB (whichever is larger).

 

Default Value

System dependent.

 


FOREIGN_ANTI_VIRUS

Platforms

Windows only, AVS systems excluded.

 

Abstract

In 14.4 and following, add anti-virus protection for those Windows sites that for policy or other reasons must run anti-virus systems other than F-Secure on their servers.

 

Example

FOREIGN_ANTI_VIRUS=1

 

Details

Version 14.4 adds anti-virus protection for those sites that for policy or other reasons must run anti-virus systems other than F-Secure on their servers. This feature is not available on anti-virus stations (AVS). Support for these “foreign” anti-virus systems is not fully integrated with LISTSERV in the same way that FSAV is, but LISTSERV will give the AV system the opportunity to disinfect messages.

 

To have LISTSERV messages disinfected by an AV system other than FSAV, add the FOREIGN_ANTI_VIRUS parameter to your site configuration as shown in the example.

 

The anti-virus system must be installed on the LISTSERV server, and must block creation of a .EXE file containing a virus with an error of “access is denied“.

 

Use of this feature is at your own risk. Because the foreign AV system is not fully integrated with LISTSERV as is FSAV, LISTSERV cannot check that the AV system is up and running and has up-to-date virus definitions. It can only assume that any file that is not denied access does not contain a virus. If you use this feature, it is recommended that you test it thoroughly and set up an external monitoring system to make sure that the anti-virus system is always active when LISTSERV is.

 

Since the foreign AV system is not integrated with LISTSERV, LISTSERV does not know which viruses have been detected. Anti-virus reports will identify every virus detected as "unknown virus”.

 

This feature is part of the LISTSERV message scanner, and therefore requires a valid and current maintenance LAK. See http://www.lsoft.com/products/listserv_av.asp for more information.

 

Default Value

0 (that is, disabled)


GETQWAIVE

Platforms

VM only; there is no GET quota on any other platform.

 

Abstract

Internet addresses (space-delimited) of persons to be granted an "infinite" GET quota.

 

Example

GETQWAIVE = 'nathan@example.com holly@example.edu lowell@example.bitnet'

 

Default Value

Empty string.

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 


HIDE_TRACEBACK

Platforms

All LISTSERV 14.3 and following

 

Abstract

Boolean value determining whether or not error tracebacks are shown to non-postmasters.

 

Examples

VM:      HIDE_TRACEBACK = 1

VMS:      HIDE_TRACEBACK "1"

unix:      HIDE_TRACEBACK=1

Win:      HIDE_TRACEBACK=1

 

Details

It is now possible to suppress tracebacks in error messages by setting the Boolean site configuration variable HIDE_TRACEBACK. When set, the tracebacks are no longer included in error messages, except in certain postmaster-only e-mail messages.

 

This has no impact on what is written to the LISTSERV log. The traceback is always written to the LISTSERV log.

 

Default Value

0, that is, do not suppress the tracebacks.

 

IGNORE

Platforms

VM only

 

Abstract

A list of Internet addresses (space-delimited) whose messages and files are to be ignored. Usually these are addresses that generate auto-responses that should simply be discarded.

 

Example

IGNORE = 'response@* dirmaint@'node 'reslim@'node

 

Default Value

Empty string.

 

Wildcards

Allowed.

 


IGNORE_EMAIL_CASE

 

Platforms      

Non-VM

 

Abstract

Provided for DBMS lists with UEMAIL fields to work around RFC821 requirement that an email address local-part must be evaluated case-sensitively.

 

Examples

VMS:      IGNORE_EMAIL_CASE "0"

unix:      IGNORE_EMAIL_CASE=0

Win:      IGNORE_EMAIL_CASE=0

 

Details

IGNORE_EMAIL_CASE=0 (the default) tells LISTSERV to operate per RFC821 and treat address fields with differently-cased local parts as different addresses. 

 

IGNORE_EMAIL_CASE=1 causes the ADD command to ignore the case of the "local part" of list subscriber entries (that is, the part of the address that is to the left of the "@" sign). Although most modern mail clients are configured to ignore the case of the local-part, this behavior technically violates RFC821 which states that local-parts are considered case-sensitive.

 

If an entry whose "local part" differs only in case is found in the list during an ADD operation (for instance, JOE@EXAMPLE.COM vs. joe@EXAMPLE.COM), that entry will be assumed to be the entry that was sought, and the address field will be updated to the new case (that is, "JOE@" will be changed to "joe@").  No other change will be made to the entry unless there is a change in the name field, in which case the name field will also be updated.

 

If there is no change in the address field associated with the entry, no change will be made to the entry (again, unless the name field changes, in which case the entry will be updated). 

 

In either case, when this option is set, a new entry with a different case will NOT be added.

 

Note the following caveats:

 

1.       Pre-existing duplicates are not automatically removed from lists when this option is set.

2.       Because ADD updates the case of entries, it is possible to end up with multiple entries that have exactly the same case.

3.       The only real way to de-dupe a given address is to DELETE and then re-ADD it.

 

Other than this, existing duplicate entries work exactly as they did before the option was enabled.  Commands that do not add new entries ignore the option.

 

And finally, it should be carefully noted that the PUT command also ignores the option.

 


IGNORE_EXTERNAL_PRIME

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

A Boolean value which determines whether or not LISTSERV will ignore the PRIME setting on incoming DISTRIBUTE jobs.

 

Example

VM:      IGNORE_EXTERNAL_PRIME = 1

VMS:      IGNORE_EXTERNAL_PRIME "1"

unix:      IGNORE_EXTERNAL_PRIME=1

Win:      IGNORE_EXTERNAL_PRIME=1

 

Details

This parameter can be used to expedite the delivery of DISTRIBUTE jobs which have an explicit PRIME setting. The point of this is simply to keep the spool clear of DISTRIBUTE jobs that might have a very narrow window (e.g., jobs set for weekend delivery only). Most sites will not need to use this setting, and it is disabled by default.

 

Default Value

0

 

 


INDEX_VIA_GETPOST

Platforms

VM only

 

Abstract

Starting with 1.8c, the INDEX subscription option now uses the GETPOST command rather than a database job by default. INDEX_VIA_GETPOST can be used to control this default.

 

Example

INDEX_VIA_GETPOST = 0

 

Details

This change was made because the GETPOST command requires fewer resources and is easier to use for non-technical users. Users may of course continue to use their old database jobs to access the list archives. The old behavior can be restored by adding 'INDEX_VIA_GETPOST = 0' to LOCAL SYSVARS.

 

Default Value

1

 


INSTPW

Platforms

VM-NJE only

 

Abstract

The optional local "installation password" associated with the INSTALL command.

 

Example

INSTPW = 'fixmelater'

 

Details

When INSTPW is set to '', it indicates that there is no local password and that only the global password is required to install automatic shipments. The server can then be updated by the LISTSERV Master Coordinator without requiring any intervention by the local operation staff (provided that this has not been disabled from the LSV$INST EXEC user exit). A non-null value indicates that the installation of each shipment must be confirmed by means of an "INSTALL PASSWORD instpw" command from either the LMC or the local operation staff.

 

Default Value

Empty string.

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 


JOB_STAT_DEFAULT

Platforms

All Classic (no effect under Lite)

 

Abstract

Boolean value determining whether or not the "Summary of resource utilization" is generated or suppressed in a CJLI JOB command response.

 

Example

VM:      JOB_STAT_DEFAULT = 0

VMS:      JOB_STAT_DEFAULT "0"

unix:      JOB_STAT_DEFAULT=0

Win:      JOB_STAT_DEFAULT=0

 

Details

Sets a server-wide default which can be overridden on a single-job basis with the STAT= JOB card option (see the Developer's Guide for LISTSERV for more information on JOB cards). L-Soft does not recommend changing this value from the default but recognizes that some sites do not want this information to be sent out. (Under Lite from 1.8d, the summary is suppressed and this variable setting has no effect.)

 

Default Value

1

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.


LICENSE_WARNING

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

Disable LISTSERV's automatic license warnings. WARNING: SEE DETAILS AND DISCLAIMER BELOW. IT IS NOT RECOMMENDED TO DISABLE LICENSE WARNINGS.

 

Example

VM:      LICENSE_WARNING = 0

VMS:      LICENSE_WARNING "0"

unix:      LICENSE_WARNING=0

Win:      LICENSE_WARNING=0

 

Details

LISTSERV issues a warning to the console and to all non-quiet POSTMASTERs when you reach a usage level corresponding to about 80% of your license points, and issues a similar warning every day for 45 days prior to the license expiration date. Warnings are automatically disabled for small licenses (9 points or less). Warnings can be turned off for higher license point values by using this Boolean variable.

 

DISCLAIMER: Setting this variable to 0 turns off all license warnings, including expiration warnings. L-Soft does not recommend turning this feature off as it is possible for your license to expire or to be at capacity without any warning. L-Soft is not responsible for delays or other problems arising from the deactivation of license warnings.

 

Default Value

1

 


LIST_ADDRESS

Platforms

All (obsolete)

 

Abstract

Obsolete. Default value for the "List-Address=" list header keyword. This keyword does not normally need to be changed on non-VM systems.

 

Example

VM:      LIST_ADDRESS = 'LIST-ID@NJE'

VMS:      LIST_ADDRESS "LIST-ID@NJE"

unix:      LIST_ADDRESS="LIST-ID@FQDN"

Win:      LIST_ADDRESS=LIST-ID@FQDN

 

Details

LIST_ADDRESS defines how mailing lists will identify themselves by default. The main purpose of this keyword is to allow BITNET sites to select their NJE address as the primary address, for compatibility. There is no practical application for this keyword under non-VM systems, other than as a migration aid for mainframe BITNET sites moving off of VM.

 

Default Value

LIST-ID@FQDN

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.


LIST_EXITS

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

A list of filenames of files that can be activated as list exits through the "Exit=" list header keyword. Any suffixes (CMD for Windows NT and BAT for Windows 95, for example) should not be included.

 

Example

VM:      LIST_EXITS = 'EXIT1 EXIT2'

VMS:      LIST_EXITS "EXIT1 EXIT2"

unix:      LIST_EXITS="EXIT1 EXIT2"

Win:      LIST_EXITS=EXIT1 EXIT2

 

Details

An "exit" is a program supplied by the customer to modify the behavior of a product (such as LISTSERV) in ways that the supplier of the product could not anticipate, or could not afford to support via standard commands or options. The product checks for the presence of the "exit" program and calls it on a number of occasions, called "exit points". In some cases, the "exit" program supplies an answer ("return code") to the main program, which adjusts its behavior accordingly. For instance, LISTSERV may ask an exit program "Is it OK to add JOE@XYZ.EDU to the ABC-L list?", and the program will answer yes or no, and possibly send a message to the user explaining why his subscription was accepted or rejected. In other cases, the "exit point" call is purely informative: the exit program gets a chance to do something, such as sending an informational message to a user, but does not return any answer. Because this "exit" is a computer program, it must be prepared by a technical person and installed by the LISTSERV maintainer.

 

List "exits" are available to control the major events associated with list maintenance. This makes it easier to tailor the behavior of LISTSERV to local requirements that are too specific to be addressed through standard facilities.

 

An exit is enabled by adding "Exit= filename" to the list header. For security reasons, all exits must be explicitly declared in the LIST_EXITS configuration variable (in the LISTSERV configuration). This prevents list owners from causing the invocation of arbitrary executable files through the use of the "Exit=" keyword.

 

See the Deveoper's Guide to LISTSERV for more information on list exits.

 

Default Value

Empty string (no exits enabled).

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 


LMCPUT

Platforms

VM only

 

Abstract

A boolean variable indicating how PUT commands for datafiles associated with the LMC FAC are handled.

 

Example

LMCPUT = 0

 

Details

This variable indicates whether PUT commands for datafiles associated with the LMC FAC must be honored immediately (1) or transferred to the postmaster (0). Note that in the latter case, the postmaster is responsible for updating the file.

 

Default Value

LMCPUT = 1

LOCAL

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

A space-separated list of hosts and nodes to be associated with the hard-coded LCL FAC. Also used as the default for the "Local=" list header keyword. You usually want to set this variable to a wildcard pattern matching all the hosts in your organization (or department for large organizations).

 

Examples

VM:      LOCAL = 'PDQ.COM *.PDQ.COM PDQ.NET *.DARNQUICK.ORG'

VMS:      LOCAL "PDQ.COM *.PDQ.COM PDQ.NET *.DARNQUICK.ORG"

unix:      LOCAL="PDQ.COM *.PDQ.COM PDQ.NET *.DARNQUICK.ORG"

Win:      LOCAL=PDQ.COM *.PDQ.COM PDQ.NET *.DARNQUICK.ORG

 

Details

Note carefully that LISTSERV evaluates the values associated with LOCAL literally. If you code "LOCAL = 'XYZ.EDU'", then users on (for instance) UNIX.XYZ.EDU will not be treated as local users. Likewise, if you code "LOCAL = '*.XYZ.EDU'", then users who are addressed as userid@XYZ.EDU will not be considered local users. In order for all users in a given domain to be considered "local" by LISTSERV, you must imperatively code a value for LOCAL that covers all bases--ie, "LOCAL = 'XYZ.EDU *.XYZ.EDU'".

 

Default Value

None. This parameter must be set explicitly.

 

Wildcards

Allowed.

 


MAILER

Platforms

VM only

 

Abstract

RFC822 address of the local mailer.

 

Example

MAILER = 'MAILERT@'node

 

Default Value

'MAILER@'node

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 


MAILMAXL

Platforms

All (obsolete except for VM BITNET servers)

 

Abstract

The maximum acceptable size, in lines, of an incoming mail message. Obsolete; see Details.

 

Example

VM:      MAILMAXL = 15000

VMS:      MAILMAXL "15000"

unix:      MAILMAXL=15000

Win:      MAILMAXL=15000

 

Details

Messages larger than MAILMAXL lines are not accepted for processing. For all practical purposes this option is obsolete (it was intended to solve a problem specific to VM BITNET servers) and you should not set it (i.e., you should accept the default) unless you are experiencing this kind of problem. In other words, if you aren't running VM on BITNET, don't set this! It is preferable to set a Sizelim= keyword in individual list headers if you must restrict postings on the basis of size. Do not use MAILMAXL as a server-level global replacement for Sizelim=.

 

MAILMAXL is primarily intended for small machines where there are not enough resources to process very large messages. Rather than attempting to process them and then running out of resources anyway, you can use the MAILMAXL option to reject the message right away.

 

Note that if MAILMAXL is set, messages coming in that exceed MAILMAXL will be discarded without any notification to the sender. This is not the same as the list header keyword setting Sizelim=, which when exceeded will cause LISTSERV to send a notification. However note carefully that since MAILMAXL is evaluated before the message is actually processed, that is, before Sizelim= can be evaluated, a message that exceeds MAILMAXL (but which may or may not exceed Sizelim= for the list it is being posted to) will be discarded without warning to the sender. This is why it is preferable to restrict postings based on size at the list level rather than at the server level.

 

Default Value

MAILMAXL defaults to the value of FILEMAXL. Note that under VM this can be more complicated as there typically is an entry for MAILMAXL in one of the SYSVARS files which overrides the default in the MODULE. It is not recommended to set MAILMAXL to a value less than 10000, and LISTSERV will issue a warning at startup if MAILMAXL is set lower than that.

 


MAXBSMTP

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

The maximum number of recipients in each message forwarded to the mail delivery system.

 

Example

VM:      MAXBSMTP = 50

VMS:      MAXBSMTP "50"

unix:      MAXBSMTP=50

Win:      MAXBSMTP=50

 

Details

If your mail delivery system runs on a unix machine, you should use values in the 50-100 range; smaller values will result in faster delivery, but will use up more system resources. If your mail delivery system runs LSMTP®, you should use a much larger value, such as 1000. With LSMTP®, larger values improve turnaround time and decrease system resource usage. Very large values, however, may exhaust available system storage.

 

On Windows servers, this is an optimization parameter that you would normally set through the various "Optimize for..." buttons in the configuration program.

 

Default Value

100

 

See also

SMTP_FORWARD

 


MAX_CONSECUTIVE_SUBS

Platforms

All LISTSERV 14.3 and later

 

Abstract

The maximum number of lists to which consecutive subscription attempts will be accepted from a given subscriber, to prevent "spoofing" attacks.

 

Example

VM:      MAXBSMTP = 50

VMS:      MAXBSMTP "50"

unix:      MAXBSMTP=50

Win:      MAXBSMTP=50

 

Details

In previous releases, as a preventative against spoofers adding third parties to hundreds of lists without their knowledge, LISTSERV has had a hard-coded maximum for the number of local lists to which a user could subscribe at any one given time. The limit was set at 50, after which LISTSERV would assume that the subscription requests were coming from a spoofer and would cancel the last 50 subscription requests for the user in question. (To clarify, a user could be subscribed to more than 50 lists on the server, but could not issue more than 50 subscription requests in a row.)

 

MAX_CONSECUTIVE_SUBS allows site maintainers full control over the limit.  The default remains 50.  A setting of 0 disables the anti-spoofing filter (which is not recommended).

 

Default Value

50

 


MAXDISTL

Platforms

All; HPO only

 

Abstract

The maximum number of recipients to be listed in the LISTSERV console log as recipients of an SMTP job. When the number of recipients is greater than MAXDISTL, a shorter message is printed in the log.

 

Example

VM:      MAXDISTL = 100

VMS:      MAXDISTL "100"

unix:      MAXDISTL=100

Win:      MAXDISTL=100

 

Default Value

1000

 

MAXDISTN

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

The maximum number of recipients in forwarded DISTRIBUTE jobs. You should not modify this value unless instructed to do so by L-Soft.

 

Example

VM:      MAXDISTN = 100

VMS:      MAXDISTN "100"

unix:      MAXDISTN=100

Win:      MAXDISTN=100

 

Default Value

1000

 


MDISK.cuu

Platforms

VM only

 

Abstract

Information about library minidisks

 

Example

MDISK.191 = 'A- N L L 85 95 //A(191) is the LISTSERV system minidisk.' 

MDISK.192 = 'D- N L L 100 100 //D(192) is LISTSERV''s scratch work disk.'

 

Details

The 'MDISK.' stem defines various parameters associated with LISTSERV "library" minidisks, that is, minidisks on which LISTSERV might have to read or write list archives or library files (as opposed to "system" files like PROFILE EXEC or DATABASE FILE which are manipulated by LISTSERV but are not apparent to the users). The syntax of the assignment is the following:

 

MDISK.cuu = 'acc rw ro nl th1 th2 / wlist / wmsg'

 

The slash signs are used as separators. They allow for more parameters to be specified in future releases while ensuring compatibility.

 

·         CUU is the minidisk address (*three* hexadecimal digits), or the FULL name of the SFS directory (filepool:dirid), as returned by a QUERY ACCESSED command.

 

·         ACC indicates how the minidisk should be accessed. If it should be accessed permanently at a fixed filemode, just specify its filemode letter (eg 'F') and LISTSERV will access it during startup. If the disk has already been accessed by the PROFILE, append a dash to the filemode letter (as in 'A-') to bypass the ACCESS command. If the disk should be accessed dynamically (ie as the needs arise), specify '*' to let LISTSERV choose the filemode, '*S' to force the filemode to be in the T-Y range (for security reasons) or '*fm' to force a given filemode to be used for the disk (note that A,D and Z are reserved and cannot be specified in this fashion).

 

·         RW indicates what LISTSERV should do if the minidisk is found to be accessed in R/W status. 'N' means that this is a normal condition, 'W' means that a warning message should be issued (see below) and 'L' means that this is a fatal error and LISTSERV should log off.

 

·         RO is similar to RW and describes what happens if the minidisk is R/O; NL specifies what should be done if the minidisk is not linked.

 

·         TH1 is the %utilization threshold above which a warning message will be generated during startup. Specify 100 to bypass the test.

 

·         TH2 is the %utilization threshold above which LISTSERV will log off. Specify 100 to bypass the test.

 

·         WLIST is a blank-separated list of RFC822 addresses to be notified if something is wrong with the minidisk. Note that the postmasters are always notified, so that the default setting of WLIST (null string) actually means that the notification will be sent only to the postmasters.

 

·         MSG is an optional message to be appended to the standard error or warning messages generated by LISTSERV. This could, for example, contain some description of the contents of the minidisk.

 

Please note that only those CUUs listed in the CHECKMDISK variable will be verified at startup time. However, some of the information in the MDISK stem will be used when dynamically accessing libraries. The default settings for library minidisks which have not been described here is shown below.

 

Default Value

MDISK.cuu = '*S N N N 100 100//'

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 

See also

CHECKMDISK

 


MSGD

Platforms

VM only

 

Abstract

Userid of the virtual machine running a RFC1312/MSP server, if "Internet TELL" support is desired. Leave this field blank if you are not running a MSGD virtual machine.

 

Example

MSGD = 'MSGD'

 

Default Value

Emtpy string.

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 


MYDOMAIN

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

The list of all the possible Internet host names and aliases for the machine on which LISTSERV is running.

 

Examples

VM:      MYDOMAIN = 'LISTSERV.XYZ.COM WWW.XYZ.COM VM.IGATE.XYZ.COM'

      MYDOMAIN = NODE 'WWW.XYZ.COM VM.IGATE.XYZ.COM'

VMS:      MYDOMAIN "LISTSERV.XYZ.COM WWW.XYZ.COM VMS.IGATE.XYZ.COM"

unix:      MYDOMAIN="LISTSERV.XYZ.COM WWW.XYZ.COM UNIX.IGATE.XYZ.COM"

      MYDOMAIN="$NODE WWW.XYZ.COM UNIX.IGATE.XYZ.COM"

Win:      MYDOMAIN=LISTSERV.XYZ.COM WWW.XYZ.COM NT2.IGATE.XYZ.COM

      MYDOMAIN=%NODE% WWW.XYZ.COM NT2.IGATE.XYZ.COM

 

Details

Usually this is the same as NODE, however you can supply additional names if your machine operates several services under different host names. For instance, if your machine operates WWW and FTP servers in addition to LISTSERV, under the hostnames WWW.XYZ.COM and FTP.XYZ.COM, you may want to list these names in MYDOMAIN. Similarly, if you operate the LISTSERV service under a hostname such as LISTSERV.XYZ.COM, while the machine’s real name is NT2.IGATE.XYZ.COM, you will want to list the real name in MYDOMAIN because some unix machines will automatically substitute it for the published name.

 

Default Value

None. This parameter must be set explicitly.

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.


MYORG

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

Short organization name that appears in the mail header of messages from LISTSERV itself (i.e. not in the header of messages from a mailing list).

 

Example

VM:      MYORG = 'XYZ, Inc.'

VMS:      MYORG "XYZ, Inc."

unix:      MYORG="XYZ, Inc."

Win:      MYORG=XYZ, Inc.

 

Default Value

Not set. Generates the standard "L-Soft list server at host" organization name. Please note that the "L-Soft list server at" part of the string is not configurable, for trademark and copyright reasons.

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 

NODE

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

Defines the Internet hostname of this LISTSERV host.

 

Example

VM:      NODE = 'LISTSERV.MYHOST.NET'

VM:      NODE "LISTSERV.MYHOST.NET"

VM:      NODE="LISTSERV.MYHOST.NET"

VM:      NODE=LISTSERV.MYHOST.NET

 

Details

This must be a fully-qualified address, as noted in the example. It must not be an IP address or a non-qualified address such as ‘LISTSERV’.

 

For testing/evaluation purposes only you can define the NODE= as a square-bracketed, dotted-IP, for example, NODE=[aaa.bbb.ccc.ddd], but this is not officially supported and L-Soft will not accept registrations for servers using this nomenclature.

 

Default Value

None. This parameter must be set explicitly.

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.


OCI_*

Platforms

OpenVMS, AIX, HP-UX, Linux (x86 only), Tru64 (aka Digital Unix, OSF/1), Solaris. LISTSERV Classic only.

 

Details

Three configuration variables under the OCI_* rubric are available for use with the DBMS/Mail Merge functionality introduced in LISTSERV 1.8d. Please see the Developer's Guide for LISTSERV (available separately) for documentation.

 

Due to the fact that multiple simultaneous ODBC connections are now supported, native OCI support for LISTSERV under Windows NT/2000 (which had been available as a workaround for the absence of multiple connection support for sites running both ODBC and Oracle databases) has been withdrawn in version 1.8e.  Oracle databases may still be accessed via ODBC under Windows NT/2000.

ODBC_*

Platforms

Windows NT. LISTSERV Classic only.

 

Details

Three configuration variables under the ODBC_* rubric are available for use with the DBMS/Mail Merge functionality introduced in LISTSERV 1.8d. Please see the Developer's Guide for LISTSERV (available separately) for documentation.

 


PLAIN_FROMLINE

Platforms

All LISTSERV 14.3 and following.

 

Abstract

Boolean value controlling the "verboseness" of LISTSERV's administrative From: line.

 

Example

VM:      PLAIN_FROMLINE = 1

VMS:      PLAIN_FROMLINE "1"

Unix:      PLAIN_FROMLINE=1

Win:      PLAIN_FROMLINE=1

 

Details

PLAIN_FROMLINE controls whether or not LISTSERV generates a “plain” From: line when sending administrative mail, eg, setting this variable to "1" would result in

 

From: LISTSERV@LISTSERV.EXAMPLE.COM

 

rather than

 

From: "Example Company LISTSERV Server (14.3)" <LISTSERV@LISTSERV.EXAMPLE.COM>

 

Enabling PLAIN_FROMLINE overrides any setting made to MYORG=, MYNAME=, and/or MYNAME_HIDE_RELEASE=, since the organization name setting and release number will no longer be displayed.

 

Default Value

0 (that is, the original behavior)

 


POSTMASTER

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

The space-delimited list of Internet addresses of the "LISTSERV maintainers", that is,the people in charge of operating the LISTSERV service who are to be granted maintainer privileges and notified of problems with the operation of the server.

 

Example

VM:       POSTMASTER = 'NATHAN@EXAMPLE.COM Hide: LIAM@EXAMPLE.COM Quiet: ERIC@EXAMPLE.COM'

VMS:       POSTMASTER "NATHAN@EXAMPLE.COM Hide: LIAM@EXAMPLE.COM Quiet: ERIC@EXAMPLE.COM"

unix:       POSTMASTER="NATHAN@EXAMPLE.COM Hide: LIAM@EXAMPLE.COM Quiet: ERIC@EXAMPLE.COM"

Win:       POSTMASTER=NATHAN@EXAMPLE.COM Hide: LIAM@EXAMPLE.COM Quiet: ERIC@EXAMPLE.COM

 

Details

Please note that userids such as ‘postmaster@somehost.com’ or ‘listserv-maintainer@somehost.com’ cannot be defined as LISTSERV maintainers because they will be trapped by LISTSERV’s built-in loop-checking heuristics. If it is desired to have an "generic" address listed as the POSTMASTER address (for instance, in the output of the RELEASE or HELP commands), L-Soft suggests using a userid such as ‘lstmaint’.

 

The SHOW VERSION, RELEASE and HELP commands report the names and addresses of all the LISTSERV maintainers, allowing users to determine where to report problems. However, you can insert a "Hide:" keyword in the list, causing all the addresses that follow to be hidden from SHOW VERSION, RELEASE or HELP. Similarly, a "Quiet:" keyword indicates that all the addresses that follow should be granted privileges, but should not be notified of problems with the service.

 

Default Value

None. This parameter must be set explicitly.

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 


PRIMETIME

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

Defines the "prime time" for your node, during which mail to lists configured as "Prime= Yes" should not be processed. This option is mostly for small machines that are very busy during business hours. See Appendix B under the list header keyword "Prime=" for more information. Note that the value for PRIMETIME must always be enclosed in quotes, EXCEPT on Windows machines.

 

Do not confuse "prime time" for time that LISTSERV is allowed to process mail. "Prime time" is the time during which LISTSERV is not allowed to process mail, for example, it is the "prime time" of day on your machine during which other operations must take precedence.

 

Example

VM:      PRIMETIME = 'MON-FRI: 0800-1700; SAT-SUN: -'

VMS:      PRIMETIME "MON-FRI: 0800-1700; SAT-SUN: -"

unix:      PRIMETIME="MON-FRI: 0800-1700; SAT-SUN: -"

Win:      PRIMETIME=MON-FRI: 0800-1700; SAT-SUN: -

 

NOTE CAREFULLY that under Windows, the PRIMETIME= value IS NOT QUOTED. For all other OS ports, the variable setting must be quoted as shown.

 

Default Value

MON-SUN: -

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 


QUALIFY_DOMAIN

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

Defines the Internet domain to be appended to all non-qualified Internet addresses in incoming mail.

 

Example

VM:      QUALIFY_DOMAIN = '.DC.LSOFT.COM'

VMS:      QUALIFY_DOMAIN ".DC.LSOFT.COM"

unix:      QUALIFY_DOMAIN=".DC.LSOFT.COM"

Win:      QUALIFY_DOMAIN=.DC.LSOFT.COM

 

 

Details

This is mostly useful when dealing with unix systems, which often do use unqualified addresses (in violation of the Internet mail standards). In a typical non-unix-based network, this option does not need to be set. Note that this option applies only to unqualified addresses in the mail header, for example, with SUBSCRIBE. It will not qualify hostnames used with ADD or other third-party (list owner) commands.

 

Default Value

Determined from the Internet hostname; for instance, if your hostname is LISTSERV.XYZ.COM, the value of QUALIFY_DOMAIN will be .XYZ.COM.

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 


RESMODES

Platforms

VM

 

Abstract

Defines a list of filemodes which are to be considered as "reserved" and never available for dynamic ACCESS

 

Details

This variable defines a list of filemodes which are to be considered as "reserved" and never available for dynamic ACCESS. That is, LISTSERV will never ACCESS a library minidisk by itself under one of these filesmodes. You may of course use them to ACCESS minidisks from the PROFILE EXEC or from any local command/exec you may have written. Note that A,D,S and Z are always reserved, regardless of what you put in the RESMODES variable. Also, any filemode which happens to be in use at the time LISTSERV is started will be marked as reserved, so that LISTSERV will never release minidisks which were ACCESSed when it was started.

 

Note that the value for RESMODES= must be in UPPER CASE.

 

Example

RESMODES = 'BC'

 

Default Value

None (that is, no RESMODES are reserved by default).

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 


RUNMODE

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

Determines the server’s mode of operation with respect to peer LISTSERV servers running on other Internet hosts.

 

Details

LISTSERV Classic or the non-free edition of LISTSERV Lite can operate in one of three modes:

 

·         Networked: in this mode, your server will connect to the worldwide LISTSERV backbone operated over the Internet, exchanging information with these other servers on a regular basis. This allows you, for instance, to keep a local database of all the available LISTSERV lists, to act as a redistribution point for all LISTSERV mail directed to users on your campus, to advertise your lists in the worldwide list of lists, etc. Networked mode requires a number of special tables, which must be updated on a regular basis, and 24h uptime. Thus, this mode is not suitable for servers with dial-up connectivity.

·         Tableless: in this mode, your server accesses the worldwide LISTSERV backbone through another LISTSERV site (which must be running in Networked mode with full backbone status). Your server still has access to the data available to backbone servers, but doesn’t need to maintain any LISTSERV table (hence the name). This is the preferred mode for dial-up servers and for small servers where the overhead of maintaining the server should be kept to a minimum. Unless you know of a specific LISTSERV backbone site that is willing to allow you to do lookups, you should use SWGATE.LSOFT.COM for the lookup site.

·         Standalone: this mode is for servers that are not connected to the Internet, or that operate in a "closed" environment where outside communication is not desired. The server will not communicate with any of the other LISTSERV servers on the Internet. As such, it will not have access to the list of lists or to other Internet LISTSERV resources.

 

The traditional academic servers operate in Networked mode. This is the default mode for the non-shareware versions.

 

Example

VM:      RUNMODE = 'TABLELESS SWGATE.LSOFT.COM'

VMS:      RUNMODE "TABLELESS SWGATE.LSOFT.COM"

unix:      RUNMODE="TABLELESS SWGATE.LSOFT.COM"

Win:      RUNMODE=TABLELESS SWGATE.LSOFT.COM

 

Default Value

Tableless for the Windows 95 version and all Lite versions, networked for all others. The value cannot be changed under the Lite "Free Edition". Note that if a host is not defined when running in TABLELESS mode, LISTSERV defaults to using the host SWGATE.LSOFT.COM for lookups.

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.


SEARCH_DISABLED

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

A string variable which, if set to anything but the null string, disables the SEARCH command and returns the text in the string to anyone attempting an archive search. Similar in function to the (Boolean) DATABASE variable for VM, but allows you to customize the string returned to the invoker.

 

Example

VM:       SEARCH_DISABLED = 'The SEARCH command is disabled on this server.'

VMS:       SEARCH_DISABLED "The SEARCH command is disabled on this server."

unix:       SEARCH_DISABLED="The SEARCH command is disabled on this server."

Win:       SEARCH_DISABLED=The SEARCH command is disabled on this server.

 

Details

This variable is provided primarily for servers such as the IBM P/390 which may not have sufficient resources to offer database searching functionality. This variable should not be used unless there is a good reason to disable the SEARCH command altogether.

 

Default Value

Not set (null string).

 

Setting non-default directory paths with .SD

Platforms

Windows only

 

Abstract

It is possible (but not recommended) to set non-default directory paths for LISTSERV files by using the .SD parameter.

 

Example

Win:      .SD L E:\FTP\LOGS

 

Details

L-Soft does not recommend that the default directory configuration be changed without good reason. Such reasons might include putting LISTSERV logs on a shared network drive for testing or debugging purposes.

 

Default Value

Not set.

 

Wildcards

Not allowed. Note that this parameter must point to a valid, existing directory name. For security reasons, LISTSERV will not create directories that do not already exist.


SMTP_FORWARD

Platforms

OpenVMS, Windows, unix

 

Abstract

The Internet hostname (not the IP address; this variable must contain a fully-qualfied domain name [FQDN]) of the server to which all outgoing SMTP mail should be forwarded for delivery. This can be any machine with SMTP software that will accept mail from your machine.

 

Note: If you are running the MS Mail SMTP gateway product as your SMTP forwarding host, you should point SMTP_FORWARD to the "smart host" defined in the MS Mail configuration, rather than to the MS Mail gateway itself.

 

Note that for LISTSERV 14.3 and following, dotted-decimal IP addresses are supported for this keyword. The "no-IP" restriction still stands for versions inferior to 14.3.

 

Example

VMS:      SMTP_FORWARD "UNIX.XYZ.COM"

unix:      SMTP_FORWARD="UNIX.XYZ.COM"

Win:      SMTP_FORWARD=UNIX.XYZ.COM

 

Default Value

Non-unix:None. This parameter must be set explicitly.

Unix:           The default is to point to the localhost; it is not normally necessary to set this variable under unix unless you are using an external host to deliver LISTSERV's mail.

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 

See also

SMTP_FORWARD_n

 


SMTP_FORWARD_n

Platforms

OpenVMS, Windows, unix

 

Abstract

Allows LISTSERV to deliver mail asynchronously via one or more SMTP "worker" processes.

 

Formal Syntax

 

There are several different ways to define the value for this variable. Here is the formal syntax (for unix the value must be enclosed in double-quotes, of course):

 

SMTP_FORWARD_n=[x*]hostname[(opentime-setting)][;failoverhostname]

 

(Advanced tuning parameters typically used only by "huge" sites (millions of recipients/day) have been omitted.)

 

Examples

There are many different ways to set this keyword. A few examples are given below. Note carefully that the settings shown are Windows-specific; in order to set these on OpenVMS or unix servers, be sure to observe the syntax conventions specific to those platforms -- no "=" sign for VMS and double-quotes around the setting strings for both VMS and unix.

 

A typical VMS example:                     SMTP_FORWARD_1 "UNIXSERVER.BAR.COM"

A typical unix example:                     SMTP_FORWARD_1="UNIXSERVER.BAR.COM"

 

To save space, the rest of these examples are in Windows format.

 

SMTP_FORWARD_1=UNIXSERVER.BAR.COM

SMTP_FORWARD_2=SMTP.BAZ.NET

SMTP_FORWARD_3=UNIXSERVER.BAR.COM

 

SMTP_FORWARD_1=2*UNIXSERVER.BAR.COM

SMTP_FORWARD_2=SMTP.BAZ.NET

 

SMTP_FORWARD_1=2*UNIXSERVER.BAR.COM;SMTP.BAZ.NET

SMTP_FORWARD_2=SMTP.BAZ.NET

 

SMTP_FORWARD_1=UNIXSERVER.BAR.COM(00:00-05:00);SMTP.BAZ.NET

SMTP_FORWARD_2=SMTP.BAZ.NET

SMTP_FORWARD_3=SMTP.BAZ.NET(10:00-14:00)

 

Details

Defines a number of "SMTP workers" (SMTPW.EXE on VMS and Windows; lsv child processes on supported unix platforms) used to spread the mail delivery load across multiple machines (or multiple connections to the same machine). For most normal workloads, the recommendation is to define a single SMTP_FORWARD_n host (ie, SMTP_FORWARD_1=) which points to the same host as is set for the SMTP_FORWARD= synchronous delivery variable.

 

Multiple SMTP_FORWARD_n host definitions should be made only for large workloads (30,000 daily deliveries or more), or when the mail delivery server being pointed to is very slow. In that case, opening multiple connections to the machine may improve throughput. A general rule is that you define multiple SMTP_FORWARD_n hosts only when xxx.MAIL files are consistently accumulating in the LISTSERV spool directory. Please be sure to read the comments below.

 

The value of each SMTP_FORWARD_n host must be a fully-qualified domain name (FQDN), not an IP address.  (However, for LISTSERV 14.3 and following, dotted-decimal IP addresses are supported for this keyword. The "no-IP" restriction still stands for versions inferior to 14.3.)

 

Starting with 1.8d, this functionality is available on unix platforms. Under unix this keyword causes LISTSERV to spawn sub-processes of itself rather than requiring a separate executable.

 

Note: Under the Microsoft Windows OSes you MUST define an SMTP_FORWARD= parameter in the site configuration file which will tell LISTSERV where to deliver mail synchronously should asynchronous delivery fail for any reason. Under unix this isn't technically required since synchronous delivery always defaults to the local machine.

 

The first example is one of the most simple configurations: one SMTP_FORWARD_n variable is defined for each separate worker. In this case two workers are pointed at one host, meaning that that host will be used for two-thirds of the outgoing mail.

 

The second example is functionally identical to the first example but the syntax is different. SMTP_FORWARD_1=2*UNIXSERVER.BAR.COM says "define two workers pointed at UNIXSERVER.BAR.COM".

 

The third example is also functionally identical to the first example except that it tells worker #1 to use SMTP.BAZ.NET as a "failover" host if UNIXSERVER.BAR.COM cannot be contacted. Otherwise SMTP.BAZ.NET will handle only one-third of the outgoing mail as would be expected.

 

The fourth example tells worker #1 to use UNIXSERVER.BAR.COM only between midnight and 5AM, and use the failover host SMTP.BAZ.NET at all other times. It also tells worker #3 to operate only between the hours of 10AM and 2PM (with no failover). This is handy for (for instance) offloading large queues to other machines during heavy traffic periods when the other machines aren't being used for other things (like number-crunching).

 

Default Value

Not set (workers are not used and mail is delivered synchronously).

 

Comments

The more SMTP_FORWARD_n hosts you define, the more SMTP workers will be started. Since each SMTP worker takes up some resources on your machine, you should not define more workers than your workload requires.

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 

 


SMTP_LISTENER_IP

Platforms

Windows

 

Abstract

Dotted-decimal IP address which sets the IP address to which the SMTPL.EXE "listener" will bind at boot time.

 

Details

Under normal circumstances it is not advisable to set this parameter. It is only for use when it becomes necessary to force SMTPL.EXE to "listen" out on a specific IP address (for instance, on a multi-homed machine you might have another mail server running on one IP address and LISTSERV/SMTPL running on another). This parameter would normally be set only if another SMTP mail application were running on the same machine as LISTSERV and it were necessary to divide the mail up based on the IP address. However, please note that this assumes that the other SMTP mailer is also able to listen out on a designated IP address, and that separate DNS entries have been established for each of the IP addresses assigned to the machine.

 

Example

SMTP_LISTENER_IP=1.2.3.4

 

Default Value

Defaults to all valid IP addresses configured for the machine.

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 


SMTP_LISTENER_PORT

Platforms

Windows

 

Abstract

Integer value. Sets the port number to which the SMTPL.EXE "listener" will bind at boot time.

 

Details

Under normal circumstances it is not advisable to set this parameter. It is only for use when it becomes necessary to force SMTPL.EXE to "listen" out on a non-standard port (i.e., other than the standard SMTP port, port 25). This parameter would normally be set only if another SMTP mail application were running on the same machine as LISTSERV and it were necessary to avoid an SMTP port conflict. However, please note that this implies that the other SMTP mailer is able to forward LISTSERV's mail to the non-standard port you define.

 

Example

SMTP_LISTENER_PORT=10025

 

Default Value

Normally not set in SITE.CFG but the default would be

 

SMTP_LISTENER_PORT=25

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 


SMTP_RESET_EVERY

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

Directs LISTSERV to reset the SMTP connections to the SMTP delivery machines (see SMTP_FORWARD) at regular intervals (units: minutes). This parameter improves turnaround time on busy servers if the mail delivery server is a unix machine. It should not be used with other types of delivery servers. Under Windows this parameter is normally set through one of the "Optimize for..." buttons in the configuration program.

 

Example

VM:      SMTP_RESET_EVERY = 60

VMS:      SMTP_RESET_EVERY "60"

unix:      SMTP_RESET_EVERY=60

Win:      SMTP_RESET_EVERY=60

 

Default Value

Not set; connections are not reset unless inactive.

 


SORT_RECIPIENTS

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

An integer value (0, 1, or 2) that determines whether or not LISTSERV sorts the recipient list in outgoing SMTP jobs. Under Windows this option is normally set through the "Optimize for..." buttons in the configuration program. It should be set to 1 for best performance if your mail delivery host is a unix machine. Other systems do not normally need a pre-sorted recipient list for optimal performance.

 

Example

VM:      SORT_RECIPIENTS = 1

VMS:      SORT_RECIPIENTS "1"

unix:      SORT_RECIPIENTS=1

Win:      SORT_RECIPIENTS=1

 

Details

This variable setting has changed for 1.8d. Under 1.8c and earlier the variable was a Boolean value that simply determined whether or not the recipient list was sorted by hostname before being handed off to the outgoing MTA.

 

Under 1.8d and following, if this variable is set to the value 2, LISTSERV will not sort the recipient list if the number of recipients is less than or equal to your MAXBSMTP setting. Conversely, for jobs where the number of recipients is greater than MAXBSMTP, LISTSERV will sort the recipient list (keeping XYZ.COM together and thereby conserving resources). This enhancement is useful when you are using LSMTP as your outgoing MTA, since LSMTP doesn't care whether or not the recipient list is sorted.

 

Default Value

All platforms except Windows NT:            SORT_RECIPIENTS = 0

Windows NT:                                        SORT_RECIPIENTS = 2

 


SPAM_ALERT

Platforms

All LISTSERV 14.3 and later.

 

Abstract

Boolean value determining whether or not spam reports are sent to the postmaster.

 

Example

VM:      SPAM_ALERT = 1

VMS:      SPAM_ALERT "1"

unix:      SPAM_ALERT=1

Win:      SPAM_ALERT=1

 

Details

SPAM_ALERT defaults to 0, meaning that spam alerts will not be sent to the LISTSERV postmaster (but will still be sent back to the message poster for his/her information). 

 

The previous default behavior, in which the LISTSERV postmaster was cc'd on all spam alerts, can be reverted to by setting SPAM_ALERT=1.

 

Default Value

0, that is, enabled (postmaster will not receive cc's of spam reports).


SPAM_DELAY

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

Sets the server-wide delay period for the spam quarantine feature.

 

Example

VM:      SPAM_DELAY = 15

VMS:      SPAM_DELAY "15"

unix:      SPAM_DELAY=15

Win:      SPAM_DELAY=15

 

Details

This variable sets the server-wide delay period (in minutes) during which LISTSERV holds certain "suspicious" messages before processing them. This gives LISTSERV’s anti-spamming algorithms time in which to gather the necessary evidence to determine whether or not the message may be a spam. The value can be overridden on a list-by-list basis with the list header keyword setting "Loopcheck= Spam-Delay(xxx)" (the value is in minutes). SPAM_DELAY=0 disables this "spam quarantine" feature for all lists on the server.

 

It should be carefully noted that setting SPAM_DELAY=0 does not turn off LISTSERV's spam filter.  It turns off only the spam quarantine part of the overall filter.  There is no setting to disable the spam filter server-wide; it can be turned off only at the list level, with "Loopcheck= NoSPAM" in the list header.

 

Default Value

SPAM_DELAY = 10

SPAM_EXIT

Platforms

LISTSERV 14.3 on Windows and unix; also VM and OpenVMS when using the LISTSERV Anti-Virus Server option.

 

Abstract

Sets the name of the user-provided exit program used to call a third-party spam scanner.

 

Example

VM:      (no setting -- spam scanning is handled by the AVS)

VMS:      (no setting -- spam scanning is handled by the AVS)

unix:      SPAM_EXIT="saexit"

Win:      SPAM_EXIT=SAEXIT

 

Details

Please see the full documentation (or the LISTSERV 14.3 release notes) for information on this feature.

 

Default Value

Not set, ie, disabled.


SPAM_MAXSIZE

Platforms

All, LISTSERV 14.3 and later.

 

Abstract

Sets the maximum size, in kilobytes, of any message to be handled by the spam scanner.  Messages over the specified size are not scanned.

 

Example

VM:      SPAM_MAXSIZE = 512

VMS:      SPAM_MAXSIZE "512"

unix:      SPAM_MAXSIZE=512

Win:      SPAM_MAXSIZE=512

 

Details

Related to SPAM_EXIT. Please see the full documentation (or the LISTSERV 14.3 release notes) for information on this feature.

 

Default Value

256 (ie, 256KB).

 


Spam Blacklists and Whitelists

 

Platforms

All, LISTSERV 14.3 and later.

 

Abstract

Sets up blacklists and whitelists to help combat spam.

 

Examples

See below, in Details.

 

Requirements

In order for LISTSERV to use the blacklists and whitelists, SPAM_EXIT must be enabled and pointed to an existing, external exit program. This is necessary because the white- and blacklisting feature is part of LISTSERV's overall anti-spam toolbox, which is only activated if SPAM_EXIT is enabled.

 

While you may of course use the exit program you write to submit inbound mail to an external spam filter for scanning, that is not mandatory. In that case, the exit program does not need to do anything other than exit immediately with a return code of zero.  For example:

 

Windows:

site.cfg setting:

SPAM_EXIT=SAEXIT

 

x:\listserv\main\saexit.cmd :

rem don't do anything, just go back to LISTSERV

exit 0

Unix:

go.user setting:

SPAM_EXIT="SAEXIT"

export SPAM_EXIT

 

~listserv/home/SAEXIT :

# don't do anything, just go back to LISTSERV

exit 0

 

Details

Starting with version 14.3, LISTSERV includes a whitelist/blacklist system that can be used either on its own, or in conjunction with the spam exit feature (also new in 14.3; please see the Developers Guide to LISTSERV for more information on the spam exit feature). This built-in whitelist/blacklist system is very efficient, which makes it advantageous to duplicate your spam filter’s whitelist/blacklist rules so that the spam filter is bypassed for messages whose disposition can be determined simply on the basis of the origin or target address.

 

There are four separate lists (or in reality, site configuration variables that contain the lists), called:

 

SPAM_BLACKLIST_FROM

SPAM_BLACKLIST_TO

SPAM_WHITELIST_FROM

SPAM_WHITELIST_TO

 

The lists are defined in the site configuration file in the usual space-separated manner. A restart of LISTSERV is required after updating any of the lists, also as usual.

 

The FROM lists are applied to all the origin fields in the RFC822 header – From:, Sender:, Resent-From: and Resent-Sender: (note that the SMTP-level MAIL FROM: is not used).

 

The TO lists are applied to the various recipient fields in the RFC822 header. Please note that LISTSERV does not work at the SMTP transaction level and does not have access to the RCPT TO: field.

 

The listing system is based on a score that LISTSERV maintains as it goes through the four lists in sequence. If the final score is zero, the message is neither white- nor blacklisted, and processing continues normally (to the external spam filter, if one has been configured). If the final score is positive, the message is whitelisted and accepted, bypassing any additional tests, including the external spam filter. If negative, the message is immediately rejected. A negative final score is a conclusive determination that makes any further tests unnecessary.

 

Being whitelisted normally gives one point, and being blacklisted costs one point. This can be changed by using the following syntax:

 

SPAM_WHITELIST_FROM=*@EXAMPLE.COM *@*.EXAMPLE.COM

SPAM_BLACKLIST_FROM=*@PUBLIC.EXAMPLE.COM >JAMES@EXAMPLE.COM

 

The first entry whitelists all EXAMPLE.COM addresses. The second entry acts as a cancellation of this whitelist for the fictitious machine PUBLIC.EXAMPLE.COM, which is not part of the Intranet. It also blacklists JAMES@EXAMPLE.COM, a notorious source of spam, with a score of 2 (every '>' sign gives another score point). JAMES@EXAMPLE.COM receives 1 point from the whitelist and -2 from the blacklist, so he will be effectively blacklisted. It is possible to load an entry with up to 254 extra score points, although it is not expected that anyone would need to go that far.

 

Every list gives score points at most once. So if we also had JAMES@EXAMPLE.COM and JAMES@* in the whitelist, he would still get only one point from the whitelist. But, when applicable, you do get the highest possible number of points that you have matched. If we had JAMES@EXAMPLE.COM and >>JAMES@* in the whitelist, he would get 3 points.

 

Again, all the whitelists and blacklists scores are added. If you use both FROM and TO, you need to use a point system that gives the desired results. It is much easier if you only use FROM or only TO.

 

What you would put in TO is defunct addresses (former employees, “honeypots”, etc.) that are guaranteed to have come out of spam listings. The message is then bounced for all recipients, not just the defunct address.

 

In most cases you will not want bounces to be blacklisted, since they are useful to LISTSERV and are processed automatically. In addition to the white/blacklists themselves, another site configuration variable, SPAM_WHITELIST_BOUNCE, is available. This value is an integer, defaulting to 1, and is the number to be added to the message's whitelist score if it is a bounce. Set to 0 to disable. You can also use a higher value.

 

Note that bounces may not be run through the spam filter at all. If LISTSERV can immediately determine what the bounce is for and process it, it will not scan it for spam.

 

SYNTAX:  The syntax for all of the white- and blacklists is identical, so we will use just one of them for the example.

 

White/Blacklisting example:

VM:                SPAM_BLACKLIST_FROM = '*@PUBLIC.EXAMPLE.COM >JAMES@EXAMPLE.COM'

VMS:                SPAM_BLACKLIST_FROM "*@PUBLIC.EXAMPLE.COM >JAMES@EXAMPLE.COM"

unix:                SPAM_BLACKLIST_FROM=*@PUBLIC.EXAMPLE.COM >JAMES@EXAMPLE.COM

       export SPAM_BLACKLIST_FROM

Win:                SPAM_BLACKLIST_FROM=*@PUBLIC.EXAMPLE.COM >JAMES@EXAMPLE.COM

 

SPAM_WHITELIST_BOUNCE examples:

VM:            SPAM_WHITELIST_BOUNCE = 1

VMS:      SPAM_WHITELIST_BOUNCE "1"

unix:            SPAM_WHITELIST_BOUNCE=1

      export SPAM_WHITELIST_BOUNCE

Win:            SPAM_WHITELIST_BOUNCE=1

 

See Also

SPAM_EXIT


STOREPW

Platforms

VM

 

Abstract

STOREPW is the password to be used by postmasters when executing CP/CMS commands and when storing files in the server by means of the PUTC command.

 

Example

STOREPW= 'almighty'

 

Details

If you do not want to allow remote file storing nor remote CP/CMS command execution, just set this variable to ''. Note that CP/CMS commands typed at the server's console will always be honored.

 

Although this variable is available under non-VM versions of LISTSERV, for non-VM it is functionally equivalent to CREATEPW and should simply be left unset.

 

Starting with LISTSERV 14.3, this setting is obsolete and deprecated, as all POSTMASTER-restricted commands can now be validated with the postmaster's personal password.  Also starting with LISTSERV 14.3, setting STOREPW to the special value *NOPW* tells LISTSERV to disable STOREPW entirely.

 

See also

CREATEPW

 


SYSTEM_CHANGELOG

Platforms

All Classic and Classic HPO (requires LISTSERV 1.8d 2000b level set release or later)

 

Abstract

System changelogs are not available in LISTSERV Lite. Enable/disable a system-wide changelog that logs information about DISTRIBUTE/mail-merge jobs and postings to lists.

 

Example (for 1.8d)

VM:      SYSTEM_CHANGELOG = 1

VMS:      SYSTEM_CHANGELOG "1"

Unix:      SYSTEM_CHANGELOG=1

Win:      SYSTEM_CHANGELOG=1

 

Example (for 1.8e non-VM, see changes noted in Details)

1.8d syntax continues to work, enhanced by (for example):

VMS: SYSTEM_CHANGELOG "SINGLE"

Unix: SYSTEM_CHANGELOG="YEARLY"

Win: SYSTEM_CHANGELOG=WEEKLY

 

Change-log rotation is not supported under VM.

 

Details

LISTSERV builds dated 16 July 2000 (the 2000b level set release) or later running with Classic or Classic HPO LAKs include this feature. If enabled, a file called system.changelog (SYSTEM CHANGELG on VM) is created and written to in LISTSERV's A directory (or on the A disk for VM) containing data for each DISTRIBUTE, mail-merge, and list posting sent through the server. The syntax of the data line is documented in chapter 10 of the site manager's manual.

 

Difference between 1.8d and 1.8e versions: In 1.8d, the SYSTEM_CHANGELOG value was a binary "on/off" setting. In non-VM 1.8e, the system change-log can now be rotated on a DAILY, WEEKLY, MONTHLY, YEARLY, or SINGLE basis, or explicitly turned off (the default) by setting the value to 0 as before. For backward compatibility the value 1 is the same as the value SINGLE.

 

Change-log rotation is not supported under VM due to the filesystem restriction of 8-character file extensions; while the command processor will not complain if you set SYSTEM_CHANGELOG = 'MONTHLY', the behaviour will always be as if you had specified 1 or 'SINGLE'.

 

Rotated system change-logs are renamed with the format SYSTEM.CHANGELOG-yyyy[mm[dd|w]] (depending on the rotation period selected)

 

Default Value

0(ie, disabled)

 


TCPGUI_IPADDR

Platforms

Non-VM

 

Abstract

Sets the default IP address for use with LISTSERV's TCPGUI interface.

 

Example

VMS:      TCPGUI_IPADDR "101.231.8.1"

unix:      TCPGUI_IPADDR="101.231.8.1"

Win:      TCPGUI_IPADDR=101.231.8.1

 

Details

If TCPGUI_IPADDR is not specified on a multi-homed machine, LISTSERV listens to port 2306 (by default) on every IP configured for use by the machine. This is primarily important on multi-homed machines where you want to use port 2306 on another IP for something else. It can be set on single-homed machines but is not necessary since this value will default to the machine's single IP address.    

 

Default Value

Defaults to the primary IP address of the LISTSERV machine.

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 

See also

TCPGUI_PORT

 


TCPGUI_PORT

Platforms

Non-VM

 

Abstract

Sets the port number for use with LISTSERV's TCPGUI interface.

 

Example

VMS:      TCPGUI_PORT "23006"

unix:      TCPGUI_PORT=23006

Win:      TCPGUI_PORT=23006

 

Details

TCPGUI_PORT=can be used to resolve potential port conflicts with other software on the LISTSERV machine by allowing you to change the port number used by the TCPGUI interface. It can also be useful on single-homed machines on which you wish to disable the LISTSERV TCPGUI interface altogether (for instance, to address local security issues). In order to disable the TCPGUI interface, simply set TCPGUI_PORT=0and restart the server.

 

Default Value

TCPGUI_PORT = 2306

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 

See also

TCPGUI_IPADDR

 


TRAPIN

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

A space-separated list of Internet addresses from which LISTSERV should never accept administrative mail.

 

Example

VM:      TRAPIN = 'OBNOX@SOMENODE.NET *@BADNODE.COM'

VMS:      TRAPIN "OBNOX@SOMENODE.NET *@BADNODE.COM"

unix:      TRAPIN="OBNOX@SOMENODE.NET *@BADNODE.COM"

Win:      TRAPIN=OBNOX@SOMENODE.NET *@BADNODE.COM

 

Details

A space-separated list of Internet addresses from which LISTSERV should never accept mail. Mail and files from users matching these templates will not be processed, but rather simply transferred to the LISTSERV maintainer. This parameter is provided primarily for VM sites, but is available for the convenience of VM customers migrating to other platforms and should not need to be set by typical non-VM installations.

 

Note: L-Soft does not recommend using this keyword to filter out problem users, as it does not prevent people at the hosts in question from posting to mailing lists. It controls only how incoming administrative mail (e.g., containing LISTSERV commands) sent to the LISTSERV address is treated. You should use the FILTER_ALSO keyword to filter problem users.

 

Default Value

Built in.

 

Wildcards

Allowed.

 

See also

TRAPOUT

 


TRAPOUT

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

A space-separated list of Internet addresses to which LISTSERV should never send administrative mail.

 

Example

VM:      TRAPOUT = 'OBNOX@SOMENODE.NET *@BADNODE.COM'

VMS:      TRAPOUT "OBNOX@SOMENODE.NET *@BADNODE.COM"

unix:      TRAPOUT="OBNOX@SOMENODE.NET *@BADNODE.COM"

Win:      TRAPOUT=OBNOX@SOMENODE.NET *@BADNODE.COM

 

Details

A space-separated list of Internet addresses to which LISTSERV should never send mail. Mail and files to users matching these templates will be sent to the postmaster instead. This parameter is provided primarily for VM sites, but is available for the convenience of VM customers migrating to other platforms and should not need to be set by typical non-VM installations.

 

Note: L-Soft does not recommend using this keyword to filter out problem users, as it does not prevent people at the hosts in question from posting to mailing lists. It controls only how outgoing administrative mail (e.g., containing responses to LISTSERV commands) sent to the LISTSERV address is treated. You should use the FILTER_ALSO keyword to filter problem users. If you wish to stop outgoing list mail to specific domains, you should simply do a global delete (QUIET DELETE * *@*badnode.com) and then add the domain to FILTER_ALSO to prevent future subscriptions from that domain.

 

Default Value

Built in.

 

Wildcards

Allowed.

 

See also

TRAPIN

 


TUNE_MANY_LISTS

Platforms

All 14.3 and later HPO

 

Abstract

(HPO only) In  LISTSERV 14.3 and following, enables a suite of HPO functions that can markedly speed up operations on servers with many lists (>100).

 

Example

TUNE_MANY_LISTS=1

 

Details

Setting this Boolean value to 1 makes LISTSERV HPO work faster at the expense of memory. For sites of 100 lists or less, enabling TUNE_MANY_LISTS does nothing. Sites between 100 and 1000 lists may note some improvement if enabled. Sites of 1000 lists or more will want to turn this feature on.

 

Default Value

0 (that is, disabled)

 

 

 

UODBC_*

Platforms

LISTSERV Classic/HPO under unix only.

 

Details

Starting with LISTSERV 14.5, three configuration variables under the UODBC_* rubric are available for use with LISTSERV's DBMS/Mail Merge functionality. Please see the Developer's Guide for LISTSERV (available separately) for documentation.

 


USE_LSMTP_MAIL_MERGE

Platforms

Non-VM

 

Abstract

Boolean value which determines whether or not LISTSERV will use its mail-merge functions for enhanced performance.  Requires LSMTP version 1.1b or higher, or -- in 14.4 -- a high-capacity third-party SMTP mailer and LISTSERV's EMBEDDED_MAIL_MERGE feature enabled.

 

This setting is obsolete as of LISTSERV 14.5.  Sites requiring the performance improvements should use EMBEDDED_MAIL_MERGE instead.

 

Example

USE_LSMTP_MAIL_MERGE=1

 

Details

Prior to LISTSERV 14.4, if all your SMTP servers (as defined in the SMTP_FORWARD* variables) are, at all times and  including backup and last resort, guaranteed to be LSMTP servers running version 1.1b or higher, you can set USE_LSMTP_MAIL_MERGE=1 to enable a number of delivery optimizations which REQUIRE the LSMTP 1.1b (or higher) mail merge functionality.

 

If you are running LISTSERV 14.4, LSMTP is no longer required for mail merge, but you must enable the LISTSERV site configuration variable EMBEDDED_MAIL_MERGE (q.v.) by setting it to 1.

 

For LISTSERV 14.3 and earlier:  NOTE CAREFULLY that L-Soft makes absolutely no guarantees as to the efficacy of enabling this feature unless ALL of your SMTP_FORWARD* variables point to LSMTP 1.1b (or higher) servers. L-Soft STRONGLY DISCOURAGES changing this variable from the default unless it can be guaranteed that all of your SMTP_FORWARD* hosts are LSMTP 1.1b (or higher) servers. Since LISTSERV's mail-merge functionality works only in conjunction with LSMTP 1.1b or higher, you run considerable risk of non-delivery of mail if this feature is enabled and any of your SMTP_FORWARD* servers are not running LSMTP 1.1b or higher.

 

This setting is obsolete as of LISTSERV 14.5.  Sites requiring the performance improvements should use EMBEDDED_MAIL_MERGE instead.

 

Default Value

VMS:      USE_LSMTP_MAIL_MERGE "0"

unix:      USE_LSMTP_MAIL_MERGE=0

Win:      USE_LSMTP_MAIL_MERGE=0

 

See also

EMBEDDED_MAIL_MERGE, SMTP_FORWARD, SMTP_FORWARD_n

 


WEB_BROWSER_CONFIRM

Platforms

All

 

Abstract

LISTSERV can be configured to require confirmation (through the "OK" mechanism) when commands are sent through a WWW browser, even if they apply to a list whose security level or "Subscription=" keyword does not require confirmation. This variable controls whether or not that functionality is enabled.

 

Example

VM:      WEB_BROWSER_CONFIRM = 1

VMS:      WEB_BROWSER_CONFIRM "1"

unix:      WEB_BROWSER_CONFIRM=1

Win:      WEB_BROWSER_CONFIRM=1

 

Details

This change was made the default for the 1.8c release both to avoid abuse and because many occasional WWW users do not know their e-mail address or enter it incorrectly, whereas people who use e-mail regularly do of course have a working e-mail address in their configuration. To disable this feature, set WEB_BROWSER_CONFIRM=0in the site configuration file.

 

In 1.8d and following, this feature is disabled by default.

 

Default Value

WEB_BROWSER_CONFIRM = 0

 


WWW_ARCHIVE_CGI

Platforms

VMS, unix, Windows

 

Abstract

The (preferably) relative URL that leads to the WWW archive CGI script. (This is a URL, not an OS path name.)

 

Examples

VMS:      WWW_ARCHIVE_CGI "/htbin/wa.exe"

      WWW_ARCHIVE_CGI "http://listserv.example.com/htbin/wa.exe"

unix:      WWW_ARCHIVE_CGI="/cgi-bin/wa"

      WWW_ARCHIVE_CGI="http://listserv.example.com/cgi-bin/wa"

Win:      WWW_ARCHIVE_CGI=/scripts/wa.exe

      WWW_ARCHIVE_CGI=http://listserv.example.com/scripts/wa.exe

 

Details

This value is preferably a relative URL, but in some cases (eg where the LISTSERV host name is an MX but not an A in DNS and thus cannot be resolved by a browser) it may be necessary to define this as an absolute URL including the A record hostname. If using SSL or a non-standard port it is also necessary to use the absolute URL.

 

Default Value

Null.

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 

See also

WWW_ARCHIVE_DIR

 


WWW_ARCHIVE_DIR

Platforms

VMS, unix, Windows

 

Abstract

The full OS path name to the WWW archive directory

 

Examples

VMS:      WWW_ARCHIVE_DIR "DISK2:[HTTPD.HTDOCS.ARCHIVES]"

unix:      WWW_ARCHIVE_DIR="/usr/local/etc/httpd/htdocs/archives"

Win:      WWW_ARCHIVE_DIR=c:\inetpub\wwwroot\archives

 

Default Value

Null.

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.

 

See also

WWW_ARCHIVE_CGI

 

WWW_AUTHINFO_DISABLE

Platforms

OpenVMS, unix, Windows

 

Abstract

A Boolean value which can be set to 1 to disable the IP address verification function of the web archive interface ('wa'), or 0 to re-enable the function.

 

Example

VMS:      WWW_AUTHINFO_DISABLE "0"

unix:      WWW_AUTHINFO_DISABLE=0

Win:      WWW_AUTHINFO_DISABLE=0

 

Details

The default setting allows you to bypass certain proxy problems that prevent the 'wa' interface from working properly. There is a certain minimum security exposure involved in that someone with a good memory can watch you using 'wa', memorize the URL, and then type it into another browser and use your login ticket. The ticket will still expire but until then the "thief" has full reign on your list. If the minimum security exposure noted above is unacceptable, this variable can be set to 0 (i.e., enable the authorization).

 

Default Value

WWW_AUTHINFO_DISABLE = 1

 

 


XFERTO

Platforms

VM

 

Abstract

Userid of the virtual machine to which files found in the lists readers should be transferred. This is part of the VM/ISF support and should NOT be changed on a regular SP or HPO system.

                             

Example

XFERTO = 'LSTMAINT'

 

Default Value

Standard value.

 

Wildcards

Not allowed.