External ODBC Database

An ODBC compliant database may be used to store local mail account information, address books, and remote account data (for use with mail relays). ODBC is useful for consolidating mail server account information with an existing account database that handles mail or other applications.

See ODBC Database Setup for information on how to configure ODBC.

Using ODBC for the Mail Account Database

Mail account information may be stored in ODBC instead of in the local database. Database information may be entered using the ISMail Manager, web-based administrator, or with any ODBC management program.

The mail account database contains one record for each account. An account record must contain an email account name (email address) but additional fields are optional.

Special reserved names are used internally to refer to each field in an ODBC account record. These reserved names are translated to ODBC record field names by an INI mapping file.

ODBC INI Mapping File

The ODBC INI mapping file is:
\ISMail\mail\filters\__system_db.ini

The INI mapping file format consists of a section header line followed by additional lines, each containing a key/value pair for an account field. Multiple sections are separated by blank lines.

The format of the INI header line is:
[ODBCAttributes]

The format of each key/value line is:
internalName=dbName

where

'internalName' is the special reserved name of an account option

'dbName' is the name of an ODBC record field corresponding to the account option

The 'internalName' values are special reserved names and must not be changed. ODBC account records may either use the default values for the 'odbcName' values, or these values may be changed.

The INI mapping file is described in Appendix A.

Note: we recommend making a copy of __system_db.ini before any changes are made.

ODBC Address Book Database

Mail account information may be exported to an ODBC address book. An address book may be used for example by an email client programs as an account directory.

Note: passwords are not exported to an address book.

ODBC Remote Account Database

'When ISMail is setup as a relay, an ODBC database may be accessed to verify remote account informationso that only messages for legitimate mail accounts are relayed.

This function is similar to using the SMTP 'VRFY' command.