How to Test the Mail Configuration

1. Restart sendmail on any system for which you have changed a configuration file.

   # pkill -HUP sendmail

2. Send test messages from each system by typing /usr/lib/sendmail -v names </dev/null and press Return.

   Specify a recipient's email address in place of the names variable.

   This command sends a null message to the specified recipient and displays messages while it runs.

3. Run these tests:

   1. Send mail to yourself or other people on the local system by addressing the message to a regular user name.

   2. If you are on Ethernet, send mail to someone on another system.

      Do this in three directions: from the main system to a client system, from a client system to the main system, and from a client system to another client system.

   3. If you have a mail gateway, send mail to another domain from the mail host to ensure that the relay mailer and host are configured properly.

   4. If you have set up a UUCP connection on your phone line to another host, send mail to someone at that host and have that person send mail back or call you when the message is received.

   5. Ask someone to send mail to you over the UUCP connection.

      The sendmail program cannot tell whether the message gets through because it hands the message to UUCP for delivery.

   6. Send a message to postmaster on different systems and make sure that it comes to your postmaster's mailbox.