[Dovecot] Auto creating client folders on the IMAP server after installing client.
Hello, could someone help. I have installed Dovecot+SSL+TLS+Thunderbird and all is well except one thing. After installing TBird and adding the required data (smtp server and auth info, imap/pop server and auth info) I am able to view mail in my TBird Inbox BUT Trash and Sent don't work - it pops up saying folder doesn't exist on the server - can't the darn thing, auto create a folder on the server instead of cribbing to me???
Is there a painless (automatic way) to auto create client directories on the Dovecot server (in the users home dir on the server - i am using maildir/). I don't want to maintain a list of clients(TBird, outlook, eudora..) with their directory structure and then remember what user has what clients installed and Gahhh! How do i do this??
Is this explained/documented somewhere in simple language(for a newbie - I'm struggling through the RFC's but they are awfully obscure and don't seem to answer my question directly)? I've also googled but that's worse.
Thank you for your patience and time. I'd like to add that I plan to sync GMail, Dovecot and a multitude-of-stupid-clients in some mysterious way so any advice in advance is more than welcome.
On 6/8/2008 9:36 AM, Radio Tron wrote:
Hello, could someone help. I have installed Dovecot+SSL+TLS+Thunderbird and all is well except one thing. After installing TBird and adding the required data (smtp server and auth info, imap/pop server and auth info) I am able to view mail in my TBird Inbox BUT Trash and Sent don't work - it pops up saying folder doesn't exist on the server - can't the darn thing, auto create a folder on the server instead of cribbing to me???
My TBird does just this (automatically creates the folders if they don't already exist) perfectly. Since you didn't post any details of your system or config, all anyone could do is guess.
Is there a painless (automatic way) to auto create client directories on the Dovecot server (in the users home dir on the server - i am using maildir/).
Yes, there is a plugin for this called autocreate, listed here as a patch:
http://dovecot.org/patches/1.1/
I'm not sure why it isn't an officially supported plugin right now - it seems like this question came up a while back too.
But, the fact is, if TBird doesn't auto create them when it tries to use them, then something is broken somewhere and you really need to fix this as well. Have you tested whether you can MANUALLY create new folders?
Thank you for your patience and time. I'd like to add that I plan to sync GMail, Dovecot and a multitude-of-stupid-clients in some mysterious way so any advice in advance is more than welcome.
Fetchmail?
--
Best regards,
Charles
Hi,
as well. Have you tested whether you can MANUALLY create new folders? Yup, just tried that out using telnet. It works. x OK List completed. x create INBOX.test1 x OK Create completed. x list "" * shows the folder. TBird does not show/display any folders that i created using telnet. Also, there is a tiny lock icon in TBird in the left hand pane. I am using port 143 in TBird, but this is a SASL/TLS link? Shouldn't the port be 993?
sync GMail, Dovecot and a multitude-of-stupid-clients in some mysterious way so any advice in advance is more than welcome.
Fetchmail? Well, fetchmail doesn't do a perfect IMAP sync as in, GMail folder/label details are lost (I'm researching GetMail/Mutt+Expect). Essentially, the client is using GMail-Google-Apps to send and receive emails. He wants a copy of all mails sent and received via GMail to be stored elsewhere (so that he can verify as to who, among his employees, sent what and received what). He isn't using his own mail server because of SPAM and because of downtime (I suggested a secondary MX, but it got shot down) So I have to keep the GMail passwds on Linux and use that to sync between Linux and GMail and then run Dovecot and feed the mail to TBirds and implement SSL/TLS everywhere (*sigh* and I'm just a noob at this - was hoping they'd let me do some C/Perl)
Since you didn't post any details of your system or config, all anyone could do is guess.
Ah, oops, sorry. OS is /etc/redhat-release: CentOS release 5 (Final CentOS 5).
mail> uname -a Linux mail.xxxxxxx.net 2.6.18-53.el5 #1 SMP Mon Nov 12 02:14:55 EST 2007 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux
mail> dovecot --version 1.0.rc15
mail> dovecot -n # /etc/dovecot.conf base_dir: /var/run/dovecot/ listen(default): *:143 listen(imap): *:143 listen(pop3): *:110 ssl_listen(default): *:993 ssl_listen(imap): *:993 ssl_listen(pop3): *:995 ssl_ca_file: /etc/pki/dovecot/cacert.pem ssl_cert_file: /etc/pki/dovecot/certs/MyDomainName-cert.pem ssl_key_file: /etc/pki/dovecot/private/MyDomainName-key.pem disable_plaintext_auth: yes login_dir: /var/run/dovecot//login login_executable(default): /usr/libexec/dovecot/imap-login login_executable(imap): /usr/libexec/dovecot/imap-login login_executable(pop3): /usr/libexec/dovecot/pop3-login login_process_per_connection: no login_process_size: 64 max_mail_processes: 10 mail_location: maildir:~/mail mail_debug: yes maildir_copy_with_hardlinks: yes mail_executable(default): /usr/libexec/dovecot/imap mail_executable(imap): /usr/libexec/dovecot/imap mail_executable(pop3): /usr/libexec/dovecot/pop3 mail_plugin_dir(default): /usr/lib64/dovecot/imap mail_plugin_dir(imap): /usr/lib64/dovecot/imap mail_plugin_dir(pop3): /usr/lib64/dovecot/pop3 auth default: debug: yes debug_passwords: yes passdb: driver: pam userdb: driver: passwd socket: type: listen client: path: /var/spool/postfix/private/auth mode: 432 user: postfix group: postfix master:
On Sun, 8 Jun 2008, Radio Tron wrote:
as well. Have you tested whether you can MANUALLY create new folders?
Yup, just tried that out using telnet. It works.
I'm guessing Charles meant manually via TBird. But, the fact that it works via telnet probably also points toward it being a TBird configuration issue.
[...] I am using port 143 in TBird, but this is a SASL/TLS link? Shouldn't the port be 993?
If you have it set to use TLS, it will likely use the STARTTLS command on port 143 and then proceed on 993. (Not sure on all the details, but that's the gist.)
sync GMail, Dovecot and a multitude-of-stupid-clients in some mysterious way so any advice in advance is more than welcome.
Fetchmail?
Well, fetchmail doesn't do a perfect IMAP sync as in, GMail folder/label details are lost (I'm researching GetMail/Mutt+Expect). Essentially, the client is using GMail-Google-Apps to send and receive emails. He wants a copy of all mails sent and received via GMail to be stored elsewhere (so that he can verify as to who, among his employees, sent what and received what). He isn't using his own mail server because of SPAM and because of downtime (I suggested a secondary MX, but it got shot down) So I have to keep the GMail passwds on Linux and use that to sync between Linux and GMail and then run Dovecot and feed the mail to TBirds and implement SSL/TLS everywhere (*sigh* and I'm just a noob at this - was hoping they'd let me do some C/Perl)
Just a word of warning, there's a bit of an "impedance mismatch" between GMail and IMAP, especially in the area of labels. A message labeled as "Foo" and "Bar" via GMail will show up in the [Gmail]/Foo and [Gmail]/Bar folders via IMAP. I don't think there's a way for IMAP to mark two messages in distinct folders as being identical. So, I'd guess that 'sync' software might have trouble. (Especially since GMail users can add/remove those labels at will.)
This may have changed, as GMail's IMAP support is a work in progress, but just wanted to warn you. (for more, google: gmail buggy IMAP)
Since you didn't post any details of your system or config, all anyone could do is guess.
[...]
mail> dovecot --version 1.0.rc15
(To pre-empt Charles:) Upgrade!
Recent threads have mentioned that distro's have kind of "stuck" with 1.0.rc15, which may be a buggier release than most. Check out atrpms.net for a more recent version. It's worth the upgrade.
Best, Ben
On Mon, 9 Jun 2008, Benjamin R. Haskell wrote:
Just a word of warning, there's a bit of an "impedance mismatch" between GMail and IMAP, especially in the area of labels. A message labeled as "Foo" and "Bar" via GMail will show up in the [Gmail]/Foo and [Gmail]/Bar folders via IMAP. I don't think there's a way for IMAP to mark two messages in distinct folders as being identical. So, I'd guess that 'sync' software might have trouble. (Especially since GMail users can add/remove those labels at will.)
This may have changed, as GMail's IMAP support is a work in progress, but just wanted to warn you. (for more, google: gmail buggy IMAP)
Another thought: After rereading a bit, I think you might be able to avoid this particular problem by only considering the "[Gmail]/All Mail" folder. But, there are also oddities around GMail's handling of message deletion.
-- Ben
On 6/9/2008, Benjamin R. Haskell (dovecot@benizi.com) wrote:
Since you didn't post any details of your system or config, all anyone could do is guess.
mail> dovecot --version 1.0.rc15
(To pre-empt Charles:) Upgrade!
Heh...
And I'd even suggest to go straight to 1.1 - Timo just released rc9, and it is working marvelously for me (has been for a while, but I don't have any special ro unusual setup issues, no NFS, etc)...
--
Best regards,
Charles
via telnet probably also points toward it being a TBird configuration issue. Yup, finally tracked that down! http://www.crazysquirrel.com/computing/general/thunderbird-imap-new-folder.j... The "Sent" folder and missing folders added via telnet
Hi, problem has been resolved. For the future, noobs please note: If you click on "Sent" in TBird and get: "The current command did not succeed. The mail server responded: Mailbox doesn't exist: Sent." then you got to add the folder manually via telnet:
telnet server 143 x login username pass x create Sent logout
And THEN SUBSCRIBE to that via File->Subscribe.
I'll try that patch to automate folder creation (thanks!). I'll also check in TBird's cfg file - perhaps something there needs enabling, so mebbe I won't need to patch.
I'm now running 1.0.14 but I'll compile the latest dovecot when I create a install package. Also got Getmail to work with minimal hassle (need to still figure out how to maintain the GMail label structure on my local IMAP) Phew! Thanks!!
On 6/9/2008, Radio Tron (paleywiener@yahoo.com) wrote:
The "Sent" folder and missing folders added via telnet problem has been resolved.
Wrong... what you describe is NOT a 'resolution', it is a horribly cumbersome workaround to a TBird CONFIGURATION ERROR.
If you have to do the below, the TBird is MISCONFIGURED.
As requested, please provide specific and full details of how you have it configured...
For the future, noobs please note: If you click on "Sent" in TBird and get: "The current command did not succeed. The mail server responded: Mailbox doesn't exist: Sent." then you got to add the folder manually via telnet:
telnet server 143 x login username pass x create Sent logout
And THEN SUBSCRIBE to that via File->Subscribe.
This is ridiculous... you should NEVER have to do this in TBird...
When I set up someone, I compose a new message, click 'Save - the Drafts folder is auto created... click Save As Template - the Templates folder is auto created - Send the message, and the 'Sent' folder is auto-created.
If this does not work as I just descrivbed for you, the SOMETHING IS WRONG.
Of course, if you are OK with such a ridiculous workaround, by all means, don't let me stop you... ;)
--
Best regards,
Charles
As requested, please provide specific and full details of how you have it configured...
I added the following to Thunderbird: mail.imap.auto_subscribe true mail.imap.auto_subscribe_on_open true mail.imap.auto_unsubscribe true [I had to create the keys for this] mail.imap.auto_unsubscribe_from_noselect_folders true [this was already there]
Then i created a new account: IMAP settings: Server name: mail.xxxxxx.com Port: 143 User Name: qwerty [Unix PAM ID] Use Secure Connection: TLS
Outgoing SMTP server: Server name: mail.xxxxxx.com Port: 25 User Name: qwerty [my SASL->PAM userID] Use TLS: checked.
Everything else is default. The moment i exit the account creation window and click on Inbox, "accept server certificate" pops up and woosh.. folders Drafts/Sent/Trash appear with some pretty icons (Inbox was already there). I accept certificate and click "Sent" - POPUP: "The current command did not succeed. The mail server responded: Mailbox doesn't exist: Sent" Dito Trash,Drafts. If i try to Compose and save a message i get: Mailbox does not exist Drafts.
I am using TBird 2.0.0.14 on CentOS 5. I've asked on the TBird forums as well.. My Dovecot is version 1.0.14
I got to sleep see you guys in 10 hours time (if i survive not killing someone :p)
On 6/9/2008, Radio Tron (paleywiener@yahoo.com) wrote:
I got to sleep see you guys in 10 hours time (if i survive not killing someone :p)
Why are you messing with editing the config file? You're really making this way harder than it needs to be.
What is everything under:
Tools > Account Settings > Server Settings > Advanced
set to?
--
Best regards,
Charles
On Mon, 9 Jun 2008, Charles Marcus wrote:
On 6/9/2008, Radio Tron (paleywiener@yahoo.com) wrote:
I got to sleep see you guys in 10 hours time (if i survive not killing someone :p)
Why are you messing with editing the config file? You're really making this way harder than it needs to be.
I agree with Charles. In particular, I wonder why you're explicitly setting all of these subscription-related settings. I've never had to touch subscriptions in Thunderbird, which seems to "just work", in stark contrast to the way Outlook deals with IMAP folders. (Though, admittedly, it may be a function of my not understanding why you'd need subscriptions in a typical, per-user mail setup -- I only see their utility if you have access to a large, shared hierarchy.)
Best, Ben
Okay, you guys aren't going to believe this but it's working! I wriggled into office an hour ago and after trying to figure out the VirtualBox (XP) passwd and checking my mail, I fired up the Linux TBird client, accepted the certificate and my Sent folder disappears but Trash doesn't, and works! Then i save a Draft and hey! it creates, but with the wrong icon! Ditto Templates. So i restart TBird and now everything works, with the right icons!
I even rm -rf ~/mail, delete my TBird account, recreate the account and it's working exactly as Charles said it would. I also tried deleting those keys I added - I couldn't purge them completely but i nulled them and it continues to work. WHAT THE HECK!!
Tools > Account Settings > Server Settings > Advanced set to? It's a buggy, moth infested, Linux client - you guys are using the windows TBird client.
You guys are great, and i guess a good nights sleep can help <g> Ah jeeze! <g> Now to hurl this crud in my managers face and learn some Perl :P Thanks again for all the hand holding :P
On Mon, 2008-06-09 at 20:29 -0700, Radio Tron wrote:
It's a buggy, moth infested, Linux client - you guys are using the windows TBird client.
I use the Linux version of thunderbird (v2.0.0.14 20080515) on a RHEL5.1 desktop against a 1.0-1.2.0.el5 build of Dovecot and have never experienced any of the problems you described. :)
Rob
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On 6/9/2008, Radio Tron (paleywiener@yahoo.com) wrote:
Then i save a Draft and hey! it creates, but with the wrong icon! Ditto Templates. So i restart TBird and now everything works, with the right icons!
So, what did you end up changing to make it work where it didn't before?
And yes, the 'wrong icon' issue has always been there, but I don't think its a bug, its just the way it works when the folder doesn't exist when the program is launched.
Glad you got it sorted...
So, what did you end up changing to make it work where it didn't before?
:) Nothing! I'm telling you! I was tired and disgusted, so i quit for the day (I was the last guy out) and first thing in the morning (first guy in, only because I was a bit worried about what would happen when I told him TBird was kaput) after checking mail (web mail), xkcd, and general goofing off, I start TBird, and Hey! Presto! it works.
Maybe my manager did something, but I checked "last" and there were no signs of tampering (Umm.. shouldn't have said that I'd hurl umm.. configs in his err.. proverbial face. He isn't such a bad fellow in general, but he likes doling out work with a free and liberal hand and that gets in the way of what I want to learn.) Oh well.. I'll keep you guys posted if I do find a solution to it (assuming it rears its ugly rear).
To: Rob, You are a Coward, sir and that's all I need say! *turns tail, and flees Dovecot*
On 6/9/2008, Radio Tron (paleywiener@yahoo.com) wrote:
1.0.rc15
Whether or not it will fix this particular problem - upgrade... this is *very old and buggy...
--
Best regards,
Charles
participants (4)
-
Benjamin R. Haskell
-
Charles Marcus
-
Radio Tron
-
Rob Coward