Running Hexamail Server

This section talks you thru the process of running Hexamail Server.

If you haven't followed the Installation Guide then you may wish to refer to step (3) and step (4) of that guide "Configuring Hexamail Server for the first time." If you have already done this, please refer to the documentation below:

1) Starting the Hexamail Server Service

Hexamail Server runs as a Windows Service. You can use Windows Service Control Panel to start the Hexamail Server Service, or alternatively, launch the Administration interface and use the built in Service Control Panel to start the service. For information on starting the Hexamail Server Administration interface, please refer to Configuring Hexamail Server

2) Ongoing Hexamail Server Administration

There are some house-keeping tasks that it is advisable to carry out from time to time.

The following things should be checked on a regular basis:
i) The machine is connected to power and its internet connection has not failed or been removed.
ii) There is enough disk-storage remaining on the server on which the Hexamail Server Service is running. The application will use disk to store essential information and log files.

3) Checking the email stores are not over-full

There are several email stores in Hexamail Server. Depending on your settings, you may have chosen to store emails in these stores. If so it is recommended to also configure Hexamail Router to alert you when a specific number of emails in the store has been reached. The number to the bottom left of the email list tells you how many emails are held in the store. Regularly check these stores have not become over-full and are using unnecessary disk space.

4) Checking storage of error emails

Sometimes network errors or other problems communicating with your mail server may prevent Hexamail Router from being able to send (relay) emails. In this situation, Hexamail Router will retry the send process 3 times by default. If the email still fails to be sent the email is stored in the Error store, when configured to do so. You can browse this store and instruct Hexamail Server to retry to send emails (right click the emails to do this). You should check this store every so often, as emails appearing in this store on a regular basis indicate some communications problems between Hexamail Server and other mail servers it needs to send email to.

5) Checking for incorrectly blocked SPAM

The SPAM blocker can very occasionally block legitimate emails that are very similar in appearance to SPAM emails. By quickly browsing the SPAM store you can send on any emails that have been mistakenly classified as SPAM and instruct Hexamail Router to not block that specific sender in future. Right click the emails with senders you wish to always allow and choose 'Always allow sender'. Then right click again and choose 'Send'.

6) Checking storage of sent emails

If you have set Hexamail Server to retain all sent emails, this store will quickly build up. It is best to only store sent items while you are configuring and testing Hexamail Router for the first time. Use the 'Store sent emails' check box to turn off sent email storage.

7) Checking logging parameters

Hexamail Server provides for detailed logging and flexible logging settings. Check you have set a maximum log file size and a reasonable maximum number of log files (Log History) for each module. The defaults are sensible, so check that any changes to the defaults made during testing/setup phase of implementation are removed/changed back.