3
Administration and Provisioning

This chapter discuses how to administer Oracle Email.

This chapter contains the following topics:

• Initial Administration Tasks
• Managing Oracle Email
• Scanning and Removing Viruses

Initial Administration Tasks

To perform initial administration tasks for Oracle Email, administrators must navigate to the following URL:

http://<machine name>:<port number>/um/admin/UMAdminLogin.uix

Once administrators have logged in, they can perform the following tasks:

• Create the initial domain
• Create the initial user
• Change the administrator password

After performing initial administration tasks, Oracle Corporation disabling the initial administration pages to avoid inadvertent changes to the system.

Creating the Initial Domain

Note: This task is to be performed only if domain creation failed during the configuration of Oracle Email.

Perform the following steps to create the initial domain:

1. Navigate to the Administration page.
2. Enter the UMADMIN password. This is the password designated during configuration.
3. Select Domain > Domain Management > Create Domain.
4. Select the parent domain from the drop down list.
5. Enter the domain name.
6. Click Create Domain.

Creating the Initial User

Note:: Oracle Corporation that the initial user created be an Oracle Email system administrator.

Perform the following steps to create the initial user:

1. Navigate to the Administration page.
2. Select User > User Management > Create User.
3. Enter the user's ID.
4. Select the domain to which the user belongs.
5. Select the public user domain.
6. Select the mail store from the drop down list.
7. Enter the quota for the user
8. Select the user's role from the drop down list.
9. Click Create.

Changing Administrator Password

Perform the following steps to change the administrator password:

1. Navigate to the Administration Page.
2. Select Preferences> Change Password.
3. Enter the following information in the corresponding fields:
   • Old Password
   • New Password
   • Confirm Password
4. Click Submit.

Managing Oracle Email

Using the Thin Client, administrators can perform domain, user, list, and alias management tasks by clicking on the appropriate tab.

Under the Overview tab, you can view what components are installed on the different middle tier hosts. To administer these components, click on the host links and you will be redirected to the Oracle Enterprise Manager.

To perform administration tasks for Oracle Email, administrators must navigate to the following URL:

http://<machine name>:<port>/um/traffic_cop

Managing Domains

Using the Thin Client, administrators can perform domain management tasks, such as create domains, modify domain settings for users, and modify domain settings for lists.

To perform administration tasks for Oracle Email, administrators must navigate to the following URL:

http://<machine name>:<port>/um/traffic_cop

Creating Domains

Perform the following steps to create domains:

1. Using the Thin Client, navigate to the Administration page.
2. Select Domain > Create Domain.
3. Select the installation name.
4. Select the parent domain from the drop down list.
5. Enter the new domain name in the corresponding field.
6. Click Submit.

Modifying Domain Settings for Users

Note: When the preferences for a domain are modified using the Thin Client administration tool, only the new entries created after the modifications contain the new set of preferences. For example, if the administrator changes the default mail quota of mail users of the oracle.com domain to 60MB, the new users created in the oracle.com domain have the new 60MB quota. The existing users in oracle.com retain the old mail quota.

Perform the following steps to modify domain preferences for users:

1. Using the Thin Client, navigate to the Administration page.
2. Select Domain > Domain Settings for Users.
3. Select the installation name from the drop down list.
4. Select the domain you want to modify.
5. Click Submit.
6. Modify the preferences you want to change.

The following is a list of user domain parameters:

Note: These parameter is present at the domain level preferences for users. The values set here are inherited by all new users in the domain during user creation time.

Mail Store

This parameter stores the DN of the mail store the user belongs to. The mail store for a user is the database that contains mail user information.

E-mail Quota

This parameter stores the e-mail quota of a mail user in megabytes. This parameter is present at the domain level preferences for users.

Voice Quota

This parameter stores the quota for the voice mail user in megabytes. This parameter is present at the domain level preferences for users.

Number of Email Display (Web Mail)

This parameter displays the number of message headers displayed on a single page of the Thin Client.

Mail User Index Type

This parameter is associated with individual users and is present at the user level in Oracle Internet Directory, enabling OracleText configuration on a per user basis.

Domain Control ACI

This parameter specifies the domains a user can access.

Document Binary

This parameter is associated with individual users and is present at the user level in Oracle Internet Directory, enabling OracleText configuration on a per user basis. This parameter enables binary attachment search for users

Allow External Access (Web Mail)

This is an end user parameter that enables account access from outside a firewall. This preference is only used when the client has been configured to check for this preference before enabling users to connect. Typically, the WebMail client is configured in this manner when it is facing outside the firewall. This configuration can be used in conjunction with another WebMail client that is inside the firewall and not configured to check for this preference so that a user can log in from within the firewall, enable, or disable the preference, and then subsequently log in or prevent log in from outside the firewall. For security purposes, this preference is set to disabled by default.

View in New Window (Web Mail)

This is an end user parameter that specifies whether the message view display should occur in a new browser window. When disabled, the application displays message views in the same window.

Display All Headers (Web Mail)

This is an end user parameter that specifies whether a message view displays all the headers that a message contains. If disabled, only the common headers are shown. The commom headers are:

• From
• To
• CC
• Subject
• Date
• Priority
• Click Submit.

Modifying Domain Settings for Lists

Perform the following steps to modify domain preferences for lists:

1. Using the Thin Client, navigate to the Administration page.
2. Select Domain > Domain Settings for Lists.
3. Select the installation from the drop down list.
4. Select the domain you want to modify.
5. Click Submit.
6. Modify the preferences you want to change.

The following is a list of parameters for list domains:

Maximum Message Size

This parameter indicates the maximum size (in bytes) of a message delivered to the list. Any message larger than this size is rejected.

Group Admin Mail ID

This parameter is the mail ID to which all commands to the list should be sent. The default is <listname>-admin@domain.

Group Type

This parameter specifies the type of the list. Possible values are announcement, discussion, edited, or moderated.

Group Subscription Type

This parameter denotes the type of subscription control on this list. Valid values are open, restricted, or closed.

Group Topic

This parameter is a single line phrase describing the topic of discussions on this list.

Group Information Text

This parameter is a multi-line field that owners can use to include descriptive text about the list.

Group Auto Reconfirm

This parameter is set to true if the owner wants all subscription requests to be reconfirmed with the user.

Group Invite Text

This parameter is a multi-line text sent in e-mail to users invited by a list owner to join their list.

Group Post Type

This parameter is defines the level of control a list owner wants on who can post messages to their list. Valid values are open or subscriber.

Group Editor's List

This parameter contains the list of users (mail IDs) who are the editors of the list.

Group Moderator's List

This parameter contains the list of users (mail IDs) who are the moderators of the list.

Group Merge Tag

This parameter enables a list owner to support mail merge or scheduled mail delivery, this attribute contains the tag that is used for specifying mail merge and scheduler tags.

7. Click Submit.

Managing Users

Using the Thin Client, administrators can perform user management tasks, such as add, remove, and modify e-mail users.

To perform administration tasks for Oracle Email, administrators must navigate to the following URL:

http://<machine name>:<port>/um/traffic_cop

Through the Oracle Email Overview page, you can view what components are installed on the different middle tier hosts. To administer these components, click on the host links and you will be redirected to the Oracle Enterprise Manager.

Adding E-mail Users

Note: A base user must exist in Oracle Internet Directory before they can be added as an e-mail user. If a base user does not exist, a message displays with a link directing you the Oracle Internet Directory Delegated Administration Service page.

Perform the following steps to add e-mail users:

1. Using the Thin Client, navigate to the Administration page.
2. Select User > E-mail User Management > Add User.
3. Select the domain from the drop down list.
4. Enter the user ID in the corresponding field.
5. Enter the base user domain.
6. Select the mail store from the drop down list.
7. Enter the quota value in the corresponding field.
8. Select the role from the drop down list.
9. Click Add.

Modifying E-mail User Parameters

Perform the following steps to modify e-mail user parameters:

1. Using the Thin Client, navigate to the Administration page.
2. Select User > E-mail User Management > Modify User.
3. Enter the user ID in the Search Criteria field.
4. Select the user's domain from the drop down list.
5. Click Go.
6. Modify the parameters you want to change.
7. Click Modify.

E-mail User Parameters

The following is a list of e-mail user parameters:

User ID

This parameter specifies the user ID.

Mail Store

This parameter stores the DN of the mail store the user belongs to. The mail store for a user is the database that contains mail user information.

E-mail Quota

This parameter stores the e-mail quota of a mail user in megabytes.

Additional Voice Quota

This parameter stores the additional quota for the voice mail user

User State

This parameter defines if the user is active or inactive. If the parameter is set to active, the user will be able to receive and send e-mail. If the parameter is set to inactive, the user will not be able to receive and send e-mail. If this parameter is not set, it defaults to active.

Auto Reply Text

This parameter stores auto reply text to be used by the user for the auto reply feature.

Auto Reply Expiration

This parameter stores the auto reply expiration date in the following format:

MMDDYY:HH24:MI:SS:TZH:TZM

Forward E-mail Address

This parameter stores the e-mail addresses for the auto forward feature.

Document Binary

This parameter is associated with individual users and is present at the user level in Oracle Internet Directory, enabling OracleText configuration on a per user basis. This parameter is present at the domain level preferences for Users. The values set here are inherited by all new users in the domain during user creation time.

Role

This parameter defines if the user is a regular user, a system administrator, or a domain administrator.

External Web Access

This parameter enables the user to have e-mail access outside the firewall.

Removing E-mail Users

Note: When a mail user is removed, any shared folders and public shared folders owned by that user are also deleted

Perform the following steps to remove e-mail users:

1. Using the Thin Client, navigate to the Administration page.
2. Select User > E-mail User Management > Remove User.
3. Enter the search criteria
4. Select the domain to which the user belongs to.
5. Click Go.
6. Select the user you want to delete.
7. Click Remove.

Managing Lists

Using the Thin Client, administrators can perform list management, such as create lists, modify list properties, delete lists, show lists, add and delete list members, show list members, and show all the lists a member is on.

To perform list management tasks for Oracle Email, administrators must navigate to the following URL:

http://<machine name>:<port>/um/traffic_cop

Creating Lists

Perform the following steps to create a list:

1. Using the Thin Client, navigate to the Administration page.
2. Select List > Distribution List Management > Create a new list.
3. Select the domain from the drop down list.
4. Select SMTP or List Server from the Distribution List Type drop down list. The distribution list type defines the mailing list type.
5. Click Go.
6. Enter the following information in the corresponding fields and click Create.
   • Distribution List Name
   • Owner
   • Maximum Message Size
   • Group Topic
   • Group Invite Text
   • Group Editor's List
   • Group Moderator's List
   • Group Merge Tag
   • Group Auto Reconfirm
   • Group Type
   • Group Subscription Type
   • Group Post Type

     See Also: "List Server Parameters" for parameter definitions

Modifying Lists Properties

Perform the following steps to edit list properties:

1. Using the Thin Client, navigate to the Administration page.
2. Select List > Distribution List Management > Edit list properties.
3. Enter the list name, or enter * to display all available lists.
4. Select the domain of the list from the drop down list.
5. Select the list you want to make changes to.
6. Edit the properties you want to change.
7. Click Modify.

List Server Parameters

The following is a list of list server properties:

Distribution List Name

This parameter specifies the name of the distribution list.

Owner

This parameter specifies the person who owns or is responsible for the list.

Maximum Message Size

This parameter specifies indicates the maximum size, in bytes, of a message delivered to a list. Any message larger than this size is rejected.

Group Topic

This parameter is a single line phrase describing the topic of discussions on this list.

Group Invite Text

This parameter is a multi-line text that is sent in a mail to users invited by a list owner to join their list.

Group Editor's List

This parameter is contains the list of users (mail IDs) who are the editors of the list.

Group Moderator's List

This parameter is contains the list of users (mail IDs) who are the moderators of the list.

Group Merge Tag

This parameter enables a list owner to support mail merge or scheduled mail delivery, this attribute contains the tag used for specifying mail merge and scheduler tags.

Group Auto Reconfirm

This parameter is set to true if the owner wants all subscription requests to be reconfirmed with the user.

Group Type

This parameter specifies the type of the list. Possible values are:

• Announcement: Messages can only be sent to the list. Replies to the list are not accepted.
• Discussion: Messages can be sent and replied to on the list.
• Edited: Only certain people known as editors can post mails to the list. Messages from others are rejected.
• Moderated: Every mail posted to the list are sent to one or more persons known as moderators. The mail is delivered to the list only if at least one of the moderators approves the mail.

Group Subscription Type

This parameter denotes the type of subscription control on this list. Valid values are:

• Open: Anybody can subscribe to a list. No controls are imposed on who can subscribe
• Restricted: All subscriptions to the list need approval by the owner of the list.
• Closed: Users can subscribe to a list only if they are invited to join the list by the owner. All other subscription requests to the lists are automatically turned down.

Group Post Type

This parameter dines the level of control a list owner wants on who can post messages to their list. Valid values are open or subscriber.

• Open: Anybody can post a mail to the list.
• Subscriber: Only a subscriber to a list can post a mail to the list. Non-subscribers that send mails to the list are rejected.

Deleting Lists

Perform the following steps to delete a list:

1. Using the Thin Client, navigate to the Administration page.
2. Select List > Distribution List Management > Delete list(s).
3. Enter the list name, or enter * to display all available lists.
4. Select the domain of the list from the drop down list.
5. Click Go.
6. Select the list you want to delete.
7. Click Delete.

Adding and Deleting List Members

Perform the following to steps to add or delete list members:

1. Using the Thin Client, navigate to the Administration page.
2. Select List > Membership Management > Add/Remove Members.
3. Enter the list name, or enter * to display all available lists.
4. Select the domain of the list from the drop down list.
5. Click Go.
6. Select the list for which you want to add members.
7. Enter or remove information in the following fields:
   • Members (user) - Users on this system that are members of this list
   • Members (list) - Lists that are members of this sub-lists
   • Members (alias) - Aliases that are members of this list
   • Members (foreign) - Users foreign to this system who are members of this list
8. Click Modify.

Showing Lists

Perform the following steps to view all the lists belonging to a particular domain:

1. Using the Thin Client, navigate to the Administration page.
2. Select List > Distribution List Management > Show list(s).
3. Enter the list name, or enter * to display all available lists.
4. Select the domain of the list from the drop down list.
5. Click Go.
6. Select the list you want to view.

Showing Members

Perform the following steps to show list members:

1. Using the Thin Client, navigate to the Administration page.
2. Select List > Membership Management > Show Members.
3. Enter the list name, or enter * to display all available lists.
4. Select the domain of the list from the drop down list.
5. Click Go.
6. Select the list for which you want to view members.

Showing All the List a User is On

Perform the following steps to show all the lists a user is on:

1. Using the Thin Client, navigate to the Administration page.
2. Select List > Miscellaneous Functions > Show all memberships of a user.
3. Enter the user's name.
4. Select the user's domain from the drop down list.
5. Click Show Memberships.

Managing Aliases

Using the Thin Client, administrators can perform alias management tasks, such as create, modify, and delete aliases.

To perform administration tasks for Oracle Email, administrators must navigate to the following URL:

http://<machine name>:<port>/um/traffic_cop

Creating a New Alias

Perform the following steps to create a new alias.

1. Using the Thin Client, navigate to the Administration page.
2. Select Alias > Alias Management > Create a new alias.
3. Select the domain from the drop down list.
4. Click Go.
5. Enter the alias name.
6. Enter the alias target.
7. Enter the description.
8. Click Create.

Editing Alias Properties

Perform the following steps to edit alias properties:

1. Using the Thin Client, navigate to the Administration page.
2. Select Alias > Alias Management > Edit alias properties.
3. Enter the search criteria.
4. Select the domain from the drop down list.
5. Click Go.
6. Select the alias you want to modify.
7. Click Modify.
8. Modify the properties you want to change.
9. Click Modify.

Deleting Aliases

Perform the following steps to delete aliases:

1. Using the Thin Client, navigate to the Administration page.
2. Select Alias > Alias Management >Delete alias(es).
3. Enter the search criteria.
4. Select the domain from the drop down list.
5. Click Go.
6. Select the alias you want to delete.
7. Click Delete.

Scanning and Removing Viruses

E-mail viruses typically have the form of an executable program as an e-mail attachment. The program gets executed on the client machine when the attachment is opened by an unsuspecting user, causing various forms of damage to the computer or the network. Oracle Email server contains a PL/SQL utility package MAIL_AV that can scan and remove email viruses. To use this package, one simply writes a SQLPLUS script that uses this package or execute procedures in this package directly from SQLPLUS.

MAIL_AV package allows users to identify virus messages using a variety of search criteria, such as subject, date, and size. Once messages with an attached virus are identified, the messages are moved to a designated folder away from their recipients. An administrator can manually examine the messages in the designated folder and remove them using any mail client. In cases where messages are wrongly identified as a virus, the MAIL_AV package provides functions to restore the message back to the original recipient's folder.

Because MAIL_AV has the ability to remove messages from regular users, it is considered a privileged package. Only sessions logged on as es_mail database user can execute this package.

Usage Examples

The following are summaries and usage examples for the procedures in the MAIL_AV package:

Quarantine

The quarantine procedure has the following syntax:

PROCEDURE quarantine (p_endday IN DATE,
                      p_dayrange IN NUMBER,
                      p_attribute IN NUMBER,
                      p_pattern IN VARCHAR2,
                      p_folder IN VARCHAR2);

The quarantine procedure identifies virus messages using a given pattern and moves them to a designated folder. The caller of the procedure must have write authorization to the folder. Authentication is done by using MAIL_SESSION package.

See Also: Oracle Email Application Developer's Guide for more information

Parameters p_endday and p_dayrange can used to narrow down the virus search to within certain time frame. Parameter p_attribute takes one of the following three values:

MAIL_AV.ATTR_SUBJECT 
MAIL_AV.ATTR_ATTACHMENT 
MAIL_AV.ATTR_SENDER

Parameter p_pattern is the identifying string for the virus. Parameter p_folder is the designated folder name to which virus-infected messages are moved.

The following example logs in as user SYSADMIN, and scans the whole mail server for messages with an attachment name containing.exe within the last seven days, and moves them to the /infected folder.

declare
  sessionid number;
begin
  mail_session.login('sysadmin', <password>, <ldaphost>, sessionid);
    mail_av.quarantine(sysdate, 7, mail_av.attr_attachment, '.exe', 
'/infected');
end;
/

Quarantine II

The Quarantine procedure can take on the following format enabling IMAP style search criteria:

 
PROCEDURE quarantine (p_criteria IN VARCHAR2,
                       p_folder IN VARCHAR2);

This quarantine procedure form identifies virus messages using an IMAP style search criteria for enhanced searching. All IMAP search commands are supported. The advantage of using this procedure not only includes the expanded list of search item, but also the ability to combine search criteria using logical operations such as "and" or "or."

See Also: Internet RFC 2060: Internet Message Access Protocol, version 4, rev 1, for more information on IMAP search commands

Use the new form of quarantine procedure, the following script identifies and moves messages with subject "snow white" and from acme.com, that's also sent since Jan 2002:

declare
    sessionid number;
begin
    mail_session.login('sysadmin', <password>, <ldaphost>, sessionid);
    mail_av.quarantine('SINCE 01-Jan-2002 SUBJECT "snow white" SENDER 
"aol.com"', '/infected');
end;
/

Restore

There are two procedures to restore messages already quarantined back to their original folders:

PROCEDURE restore (p_messageid IN NUMBER);
PROCEDURE restoreall;

The restore procedure takes a given message ID and restore it back to its original folder. If the message ID does not exist, the procedure does nothing. The restoreall procedure restores all messages quarantined regardless which designated folders are used to store the messages. These procedures are useful when a message is wrongly identified as a virus message and must be restored back to its recipients.