MTU Email Conversion

The MTU email system was upgraded the weekend of 1 April, 2006. The new email system sets the stage for larger mail quotas, more efficient backups, and better functionality for those who access mail from more than one location - say at work and at home, or at work and with a PDA.

What did we do?

We converted the email system format from mbox format to maildir format and changing the mail server software from UW-IMAP to Dovecot. The basic difference between mbox and maildir formats is: mbox stores individual mail messages in a single large file whereas maildir stores individual messages in separate files, one file per message. The new format requires no locking, so multiple processes can access a mail folder simultaneously. We changed mail server software because UW-IMAP does not support the new format.

Why Change the Email System?
  • There are large efficiencies gained in the on-line copies storage and the amount of data backed up to tape every night. For additional information on how these efficiencies are gained, click here.
  • Users can now run multiple mail clients simultaneously. For example, a user could leave their Thunderbird mail client running at the office and check email from home using Huskymail.
  • Moving mail to folders should be significantly faster. Also, folders will now be able to contain both subfolders and mail messages.
  • The largest benefit for the community is increased user quotas. For additional information on quotas, click here.

What is different?

There is a minor difference affecting only a few people who use folder names with dots (periods) in the name. After conversion, the dot in the mailbox name will be converted to an "_" (underbar).

There are certain characters that the new email system reserves for special purposes. In addition, various clients have their own restrictions on some characters. It is suggested that users do not create mailboxes or folders that contain any of the following characters in their name: '%', '*', '?', '.', and '/'.

The '.' (dot) and '/' (slash) characters are used as folder delimiters by the mail server and mail clients. On the old mail server a '/' (slash) was used to designate a folder. On the new mail server this has been changed to a '.' (dot). Some clients will still honor the '/' (slash) designation, though it is suggested that users use '.' (dot) instead as all mail clients will honor this designation.

Conversion to the new format will have a temporary side effect on the "Restore Accidentally Deleted Email" tool. If someone accidentally deletes a message during the two week period immediately before conversion, the message can be recovered but there may be a wait. If you have need of this tool, there will be notes on what you can expect available here.

What do I need to know?

Users are not required to make any changes to their mail client configuration. Everything should work as before. DCS has tested many email clients, see Client Information.