Normal Log Messages

Explanation

BLACKLIST:message_source was found on list (name:server:query_domain) -> returned text

The connecting agent sending the message has been found on the specified blacklist.
message_source: This information was sent to the blacklist server as the source of the message.
returned_text: Sometimes the blacklist server will return text explaining why a message source is blacklisted.

BLACKLIST:failed to connect to service (name:server:query_domain)

If the blacklist is configured to use UDP, this means that the initial UDP query sent to the blacklist server and all retries timed out. If the blacklist is configured to use TCP, this means that the connection to the server failed.

VALIDATION: (HELO) domain FAILED to receive response from DNS server for HELO domain helo_argument

HELO validation searches for an MX or an A record for the domain passed in the HELO command by the connecting SMTP agent. The queried DNS server failed to respond to the query.

helo_argument: The domain passed as the argument to the HELO command by the connecting SMTP agent.

VALIDATION: (HELO) no HELO sent

The connecting SMTP agent failed to send the HELO or EHLO command.

VALIDATION: (HELO) helo_argument
domain failed active validation

No MX or A record exists for the domain passed in the HELO or EHLO command. helo_argument: The domain passed in the HELO command by the connecting  SMTP agent.

VALIDATION: (MAIL FROM) domain FAILED to resolve MX/A record for mail server mail_from_argument

An MX or an A record could not be found for the sender’s mail server. This is a failure since we need the IP address to connect to the mail server and validate the user.
mail_from_argument: The e-mail address passed in the MAIL FROM command.

VALIDATION: (MAIL FROM) domain

FAILED to connect to remote_mail_server

A connection to the SMTP server for the user passed in the MAIL FROM command was attempted, but failed. The server name was successfully converted to an IP address, but no server exists at the address or it is not running. remote_mail_server: The sender’s mail server according to the MAIL FROM command.

VALIDATION: (MAIL FROM) domain FAILED to communicate with server remote_mail server

A connection was made to the remote SMTP server to validate the user, but the connection was terminated or failed.
remote_mail_server: The sender’s mail server, according to the MAIL FROM command.

VALIDATION (MAIL FROM) no MAIL FROM sent

No MAIL FROM command was sent by the connecting SMTP agent.

VALIDATION:(MAIL FROM) <remote_user> user does not exist on remote system

The user passed in the MAIL FROM command does not exist on the remote server. This is only logged if a successful conversation has taken place and the user is not a valid user on the remote SMTP server.
remote_user: The user passed in the MAIL FROM command.

VALIDATION: (MAIL FROM) domain FAILED SMTP server error:mail_server_error

The SMTP server connected to, returned an error prior to validation of the user. The SMTP error is included in the log message.
mail_server_error: The SMTP server error returned by the remote SMTP server.

VALIDATION: (REVDNS) connecting_agent address does not have a valid MX or A record, message rejected

The connecting SMTP agent does not have a valid MX or A record. connecting_agent: The IP address of the connecting SMTP agent.

VALIDATION: (REVDNS) domain FAILED to receive reply from DNS server

A query was made to the DNS server for the mail server and no response was returned. This does not mean that no MX or A record exists for the connecting SMTP agent, just that the DNS server did not respond to queries.

VALIDATION: (REVDNS) domain FAILED reverse DNS validation for address (connecting_agent)

The mail server’s DNS server returned a reply to the query for an MX or an A record for the connecting SMTP agent. However, there was no MX or A record.
Connecting_agent: The IP address of the connecting SMTP agent.

message failed check<check_name> which was marked as trusted, deleting

A trusted blacklist entry failed its check. The message is immediately deleted.
check_name: The display name of the blacklist.

message failed failed_checks of total_checks checks, deleting

Connection filtering is set to delete messages after a specific number of checks have failed (including active validation checks). This number has been reached and the message will be deleted.
failed_checks: The number of checks the message failed.
total_checks: The total number of checks configured for the host.

Verbose Log Messages

Explanation

BLACKLIST:connecting to service (name:server:query_domain)

This is logged just prior to querying a blacklist server.

BLACKLIST:retrying service (name:server:query_domain)

This blacklist uses UDP, so it may not respond in a timely manner. This is logged if a query times out and must be retried.

BLACKLIST:message_source was not found on list (name:server:query_domain)

The connecting agent is not on the specified blacklist.

message_source: This is the information that was sent to the blacklist server as the source of the message.

BLACKLIST:received a reply from service (name:server:query_domain)

The queried blacklist returned a reply. This does not mean that the message source was blacklisted, just that the query was successful.

VALIDATION: (HELO) domain performing DNS lookup for HELO domain helo_argument

This message is logged prior to performing HELO validation.

helo_argument:The domain passed by the connecting SMTP agent.

VALIDATION: (HELO) domain received reply from DNS server for HELO domain helo_argument

HELO validation found an MX or an A record for the domain passed in the HELO command by the connecting SMTP agent. This does not mean that the domain has an MX or an A record, just that the DNS server sent a response to the query. helo_argument: The domain passed in the HELO command by the connecting SMTP agent.

VALIDATION: (MAIL FROM) domain validating MAIL FROM address mail_from_argument

This message is logged prior to performing MAIL FROM validation. mail_from_argument: The e-mail address passed in the MAIL FROM command.

Validation: (mail from) domain succeeded for user mail_from_argument.

The user passed in the MAIL FROM command exists on the remote SMTP server. mail_from_argument: The e-mail address passed in the MAIL FROM command.

VALIDATION: (REVDNS) domain performing reverse dns lookup on address connecting_agent

This message is logged prior to performing a reverse DNS validation. connecting_agent: The IP address of the connecting SMTP agent.

VALIDATION: (REVDNS) domain reverse DNS validation SUCCEEDED for address (connecting agent)

The DNS server for the mail server returned an MX or A record for the connecting SMTP agent.

connecting_agent: The IP address of the connecting SMTP agent.

ADMIN: reloading connection filtering settings for domain:DOMAIN

Connection filtering settings for the specified domain have changed. Only changes in IAdmin or web messaging cause a reload. Hand editing of files is ignored until SMTPD is restarted.

ADMIN: finished reloading connection filtering settings for domain: domain

Connection filtering settings for the specified domain have changed. Only changes in IAdmin or web messaging cause a reload. Hand editing of files is ignored until SMTPD is restarted.