- Unix Commands Reference
- Unix Commands - Home
error Command in Linux
error is a Linux command that is used specifically within the Postfix mail system and helps you in managing undeliverable emails. When an email can’t be delivered, the error command marks the email as undeliverable and updates the mail queue. After that it sends a bounce message back to the sender where an explanation is provided about the failure of email delivery.
The error command doesn’t interact with the network, that’s the reason it is a secure utility to use. It helps you in logging all system’s activities, administrator tracking issues and ensures your undeliverable emails are properly handled and reported.
Syntax for error Command in Linux
The basic syntax to use the error command in Postfix is given below −
error [generic Postfix daemon options]
Where [generic Postfix daemon options] are optional parameters you can use to customize the behavior of the error command. These options are common to all Postfix daemon commands and can include settings like logging levels, configuration file locations, and more.
Different Options Available for error Command
You can use different options with error command, these are highlighted in the following table −
| Option | Description |
|---|---|
| 2bounce_notice_recipient | The person who gets notified when undeliverable mail can’t be returned to the sender. |
| bounce_notice_recipient | The person who receives notifications about undelivered mail and SMTP conversation logs. |
| config_directory | The default folder where Postfix configuration files (main.cf and master.cf) are stored. |
| daemon_timeout | The maximum time a Postfix process can run before it’s stopped by a watchdog timer (default: 18000s). |
| delay_logging_resolution_limit | The number of decimal places used when logging sub-second delays (default: 2). |
| double_bounce_sender | The sender address used for notifications about undeliverable mail that can’t be returned (default: double-bounce). |
| ipc_timeout | The time limit for internal communication within Postfix (default: 3600s). |
| max_idle | The maximum time a Postfix process waits for a new request before exiting (default: 100s). |
| max_use | The maximum number of requests a Postfix process handles before it terminates (default: 100). |
| notify_classes | The types of errors that are reported to the postmaster (default: resource, software). |
| process_id | The unique ID of a Postfix process (read-only). |
| process_name | The name of a Postfix process (read-only). |
| queue_directory | The main directory where Postfix stores its mail queue (see postconf -d output). |
| syslog_facility | The logging facility used by Postfix for system logs (default: mail). |
| syslog_name | The name used in syslog records to identify Postfix processes (default: postfix). |
Conclusion
The error command used within the Postfix mail system is crucial for handling emails that can’t be delivered successfully. This command operates in a secure way without needing network access and helps administrators manage email delivery issues effectively.
In this tutorial, we have provided the syntax of error commands along with different options that can be used with it. By carefully following this tutorial, you will ensure that your undeliverable emails are properly managed and reported.