Tech Support

Internet Exchange Frequently Asked Questions

Internet Exchange Messaging Server
Distribution List Manager Overview

Message Flow
When mail arrives at the Message Switch, Internet Exchange consults the Directory Server to determine whether there are messages destined for a mailing list.  If such a message is found, it is routed to the Distribution List channel via the Preprocessor Unit and the MTA Shared Message Queue.  Upon receiving a message destined for a mailing list, the DL Manager performs a directory lookup using the Directory Server to find the corresponding addresses of all the list's members.  After the mailing list's members are identified, the message is forwarded to the Preprocessor Unit where appropriate actions (i.e. anti-virus scans, etc.) are performed based on the configuration inf the Channel Action Matrix.  The message is then sent to the MTA Shared Message Queue and subsequently forwarded to the appropriate channel(s) (i.e. SMTPC, cc:Mail, Local Message Store, etc.) for final delivery to all of the mailing list's members.

Distribution List Manager Engine
The DL Manager Engine monitors the file operations, specifically the delivery of messages to the designated lists.  It is also responsible for the delivery of messages to members, regardless of the mode of delivery, and for performing automatic subscriptions and unsubscriptions, which would normally be the list maintainer's responsibilities.

Archiving is another task that is performed by the engine.  The engine can keep a copy of every message received by a mailing list.  The archived messages are stored in the home direcotory of the DL Manager.  Every archived message contains important information such as the From:, To:, Date:, and Subject: headers, as well as the message body.  Each mailing list has its own archive directory where all the archived messages are stored.

Web-based Interface
The Web-based interface is used by the system administrator for configuring the DL Manager's various functions, such as mailing list creation, addition/deletion of a member to/from a particular list, and setting of the preferred delivery options for each member.

Mailing List Categories
The Internet Exchange Distribution List Manager supports two types of mailing lists, the open and closed types.

Open Distribution Lists
Open mailing lists, or unrestricted email-based discussion groups, are very efficient tools for disseminating information and encouraging the free exchange of ideas.  With electronic mailing lists of this type, even non-members or non-subscribers have the privilege to post message(s) or access the list's archives.   However, only the members of the list(s) can receive messages posted by members and non-members.

Closed Distribution Lists
Unlike an open mailing list, a closed mailing list is accessible only to the list's members.  Only those people who subscribed to the list can post messages and/or access the list's archives.  Those who want to post messages on closed mailing lists must first apply for membership.   The list owner/system administrator exercises control over the application process.  Usually, membership in closed lists requires the approval of the list owner/system administrator or the recommendation of a current member of the list being subscribed to.

Delivery Modes
Through the DL Manager, the system administrator is provided with the means to set the mode of delivery on a per user basis.

Immediate Mode of Delivery
When messages are posted to a list, the DL Manager immediately sends out the messages to the mailing list subscribers who have selected this delivery mode.

Digest Mode of Delivery
In the digest mode, messages are allowed to accumulate for a certain time before they are delivered simultaneously to the list members.

Archiving
If archiving is enabled, the DL Manager creates a copy of every message posted to a particular list.   The archived messages are stored in a subfolder under the mailling list folder.