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How to Move Mailtraq

Moving

How to Move Mailtraq to a new Server

Licensing
Your license allows you to install and run Mailtraq on one computer, plus one inactive 'backup' copy.
The licence will allow you to move an installation between two machines without loss of service.

Method for current systems

  1. Install Mailtraq on the new machine.
  2. Do the minimum to complete the installation wizard.
  3. Shut Mailtraq down.
  4. On the old machine - make sure you using the same version and then shut Mailtraq down.
  5. Take a copy of the Mailtraq Database folder.
    The default location is 'C:\Program Files (X86)\Mailtraq\database'
  6. Substitute the copy of this Database folder from the old machine for the same folder on the new machine.
  7. Shut down the old server and disconnect from the network.
  8. Start Mailtraq on the new machine.

See how to move an old system...

 

 

How to Move Mailtraq's Database to a new Drive

It is recommended that Mailtraq's Database should be left in the default location:

32-bit C:\Program Files\Mailtraq\database\

64-bit C:\Program Files (x86)\Mailtraq\database\

however if you need to move the Database to a new drive then this is the recommended procedure.

Selecting a suitable drive
Mail servers do a lot of writing to the database - typically several million I/O writes a day. The best place for Mailtraq's database to be is on the same drive that the Program is installed onto, the default is C, but it can be any local drive, however it must be an internal hard-drive to the machine. The only type of external drive that is suitable is one with an eSATA connection (example).

Before you start, make sure you have a copy of the Mailtraq Setup program for the build of Mailtraq you are currently using. If you have 'updated' your Mailtraq since installation using the Update versions, you can get the Setup version for 'New Installations' from your account at https://my.mailtraq.com

Moving the database for current versions of Mailtraq (MMC console)

Use the Mailtraq Configuration panel (Windows Start Menu | Mailtraq) to Stop the Mailtraq Service.

Next, Copy the database folder to the new location following the 'suitable drive' advice above.

Use the Mailtraq Configuration tool to tell Mailtraq the new location at [Change database path].

Start the Mailtraq Service, and then either archive or discard the old database folder.

Moving the database for Traditional versions of Mailtraq or manually moving the database

    1. Shut Mailtraq down
    2. Take a copy of the Mailtraq Database folder.
      The default location is 'C:\Program Files\Mailtraq\Database'
      Place this copy in the new location
    3. Rename the original Database folder to 'Databaseold'. This folder may be deleted after the move is complete: meanwhile it serves as a 'safety backup' in case you make an error.
    4. Uninstall Mailtraq from the machine using the Windows Control Panel, Add & Remove Programs.
    5. Run your Mailtraq Setup program: select the custom option to change location of the program.
    6. After the program installs - Mailtraq will ask you if you wish to create a new Database or browse to an existing Database.  Use the browse option to the file \database\configuration\system and complete the installation wizard.



      If Mailtraq does not automatically prompt you, then manually use the Configuration Tool to change the database path. A custom location can also be set manually in the Windows Registry (read how) at the setting 'DatabasePath'
       
    7. Mailtraq will restart using the Database in the new location. No reconfiguration is necessary.
    8. You may archive or discard the 'safety' Databaseold backup.

Now would be a good time to review your Backup policy

Moving Mailtraq and the new MMC Console
If you are using the older Traditional version of Mailtraq (2.15 or below) we recommend first upgrading (see how) to the current Release version of that Mailtraq and then transitioning to the MMC/WiX Console version (see howbefore moving Mailtraq.

Mailtraq 2.16 introduced the MMC console using the WiX installer (read more) which is suitable for use on all current versions of Windows. The Traditional version of Mailtraq is not suitable for use with Windows 7, Vista or Windows Server 2008.

We also recommend migrating to the AFX database before moving Mailtraq, if you are not already using it. See how...

You may then move Mailtraq by following the above procedure.

 


Configuration Tip
Consider your 'Temp' files

Mailtraq places its 'Temp' files in the temporary directory associated with the user account under which it is running.

If you run Mailtraq as a user, it will be the user's temporary directory (%USERPROFILE%\Local Settings\Temp).

If is running as a service it will probably be %WINDIR%\temp  or  %SystemRoot%\TEMP

Mailtraq normally runs as a service under the System-user.

You can change these locations in Windows, for example:

Bring up Explorer, right-click on "This PC", and select Properties.
In 'Advanced system settings'
Go to "Environment Variables".
This opens the dialog-box you need to make the changes in.

You may wish to change both User and System locations.


How to move an old system

When moving Mailtraq it is important that the new installation and the old installation are both using the same build of Mailtraq and are working under the same Database format.  We recommend that all  installations now use the AFX Database format. 

Note that the default Database that Mailtraq installs has changed.
What Database are you currently using?
Click here to find out.

We recommend upgrading to the latest version of Mailtraq before moving

  • You should archive the original 'safety' Database backup for the time being.
  • Start Mailtraq on the new machine. See Tip below...
  • Shut down the old server and disconnect from the network*.
  • Substitute the copy of this Database folder from the old machine for the same folder on the new machine.
  • Take a copy of the Mailtraq Database folder.
    The default location is 'C:\Program Files\Mailtraq\database'
  • On the old machine - make sure you have upgraded to the same version and Database format and then shut Mailtraq down.
  • Shut Mailtraq down.
  • Do the minimum to complete the installation wizard.
  • During the new install process you will be asked which database to use.
    The default is AFX - see step 6 below.
  • Install this on the new machine using the original Installation Id.
    If you do not have Internet access on the new server see how here...
  • Go to  https://my.mailtraq.com and download a copy of the latest version from your account.
    This uses the same procedure as obtaining an Upgrade

Tip:
Mail usually flows following the local static IP address or machine name, so if you set the local Static IP address or machine name on the new machine to that of the old machine now removed from your network, messages should flow automatically to the new installation. Remember that you must not have two machines with the same address on the network, so be sure the old machine is disconnected. *It is a good idea to give it a new name/IP address before disconnecting - just in case it gets inadvertently reconnected in the future.

Now would be a good time to review your Backup policy


Moving to 64-bit and WebMail
On 64-bit systems, Mailtraq installs into: C:\Program Files (x86)\Mailtraq
This means that you may need to adjust the Path for WebMail at Options | WebSites | Properties

 

In the Application-tab

Set it to

[x] Standard Web Site Path

C:\Program Files (x86)\Mailtraq\WebMail\

generally as shown. 

Note the trailing \ is used.

 

(You should Stop and Start Mailtraq after making the change.)

 

Mailtraq Highlights...
 SMTP Server     Mailtraq SMTP email server video IMAP Server     Mailtraq IMAP email Server video
 POP3 Server     Mailtraq POP3 email server video Proxy Server     Mailtraq proxy email server video
 Webmail Server     Mailtraq webmail email server video Mailing-list Server     Mailing list email server video
 Groupware Services     Mailtraq groupware email services video Spam and Virus control     Spam and virus control email server video

 

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