Database in the Mailtraq email server

Mailtraq can be configured to use either of three database structures: AFV, Firebird/SQL or AFX

See the tip below to see which one you are using.

AFV

AFV is the original Mailtraq database format, and is the only one available to Mailtraq Essential users. The AFV database is a fast access system best suited to POP3 installations where mail is stored on the client machines, for example in Outlook pst files. It is not possible to do a live or online backup of Mailtraq running under AFV, see www.mailtraq.com/backup for alternative backup procedures.

Firebird

The Firebird/SQL database available in Mailtraq Professional was introduced as a more robust data structure suitable for use where mail is stored on the server either for archive purposes. Online or live back-up of the complete installation is available from within the Mailtraq Console.

Firebird can be run in Client/Server mode to allow direct access to the mail store using third-party tools, however there can be speed issues on large data stores with Firebird, so it is best suited to small to medium sized Installations. Read more ...

AFX

AFX, Mailtraq's current default, is the newest of the three database engines provided. It was introduced to improve performance under heavy loads and to ease maintenance. AFX is suitable for all Mailtraq Professional users, and is the recommended choice for IMAP and Webmail users.

AFX provides a separate file for each mailslot which includes integrated full text search. Because each mailslot resides in a separate file contention is reduced. Further, this engine maintains internal record numbering which optimises operations that iterate through messages. As a result IMAP and WebMail performance is improved for all users. It also means that console access is much faster and doesn't prevent other access methods.

AFX greatly increases the efficiency of all Mailtraq Archiving or where messages are stored on the Server for use in Webmail or IMAP. Also, in a POP3 environment, where all mail is collected from the server by the email client, AFX automatically manages mailbox compression to minimize database size. An upgrade wizard makes it easy for existing Firebird users to move to the AFX structure.

How to Upgrade to AFX
The upgrade procedure is simple and is explained here: Migrating to AFX ...

Which database am I using?

You can confirm which type of data structure you are using by going to Help | About Mailtraq and looking under the Version number.

AFX
If you are using AFX you will see AFX Database Engine
Firebird
If you are using Firebird SQL you will see Firebird SQL/RDBMS
AFV
If you see AFV or no entry at all in this position is means that you
are using the AFV data stucture.

This information is also displayed in the Console at: Options | Server | Database

Database Maintenance

Some database operations such as message indexing, removing messages marked for deletion or expiring messages from mailboxes (Archiving) can be processor intensive.

These controls allow you to postpone such operations until a specified time.

It is usual to set Maintenance everyday outside normal working hours, plus all day at week-ends, if your business allows.

All processes are available during Maintenance, but live services, such as webmail or IMAP may be slower than normal.

	Migrating to AFX