dovecot - Oct 2013 - Mailboxes separated from IMAP server

Hello folks,

 At my university we are trying to implement a distributed email backend,
but I have some troubles,

The topology:

Server A: Postfix+LMTP # MTA
Server B: Dovecot+LMTP # Just mailboxes
Server C: Dovecot # POP3/IMAP

Right now the Server A can leave a received email to the Server B, but I
don't know how to communicate Server C to the Server B to retrieve the
emails.

 I think that we should use IMAP protocol, but I am confused about how to
connect them, I don't know if we have to use a proxy IMAP server, or
another thing.

 Can anyone give me  an idea?

Regards,

Reymer Antonio Vargas Solano

Am 21.10.2013 21:23, schrieb Reymer Antonio Vargas
Solano:
> At my university we are trying to implement a distributed email backend,
> but I have some troubles,
> 
> The topology:
> 
> Server A: Postfix+LMTP # MTA
> Server B: Dovecot+LMTP # Just mailboxes
> Server C: Dovecot # POP3/IMAP
> 
> Right now the Server A can leave a received email to the Server B, but I
> don't know how to communicate Server C to the Server B to retrieve the
> emails.
> 
>  I think that we should use IMAP protocol, but I am confused about how to
> connect them, I don't know if we have to use a proxy IMAP server, or
> another thing.
> 
>  Can anyone give me  an idea?
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Storage_area_network
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clustered_file_system

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On 2013-10-21 3:23 PM, Reymer Antonio Vargas Solano 
<reymervargas at gmail.com> wrote:
> At my university we are trying to implement a distributed email backend,
> but I have some troubles,
>
> The topology:
>
> Server A: Postfix+LMTP # MTA
> Server B: Dovecot+LMTP # Just mailboxes
> Server C: Dovecot # POP3/IMAP
>
> Right now the Server A can leave a received email to the Server B, but I
> don't know how to communicate Server C to the Server B to retrieve the
> emails.
>
> I think that we should use IMAP protocol, but I am confused about how to
> connect them, I don't know if we have to use a proxy IMAP server, or
> another thing.
It all depends on what you want to accomplish...

First, I'm guessing your subject is not precisely correct - the IMAP 
server IS 'the mailboxes'...

So, I guess you meant separate MTA and IMAP servers?

If so, then...

a) you could set up dsync to sync server C with B

b) you could do the same with imapsync (best to use dsync though, unless 
you're stuck with dovecot versions prior to 2.2.# due to brain-dead 
distro limitations or corporate policies)

c) you could use some kind of distributed filesystem

Why the 2 dovecot servers? If it is for load, how many users on each 
(maybe you don't need 2)? If for redundancy, then definitely dsync, but 
there are other issues to consider (if HA is your goal)...


-- 

Best regards,

*/Charles
/*