Files Re-appearing

ikonaboys · #1 (**permalink**) 25-01-12, 04:20 PM

Hi,

We've had a problem on our webserver where the var partition is getting full.

The culprit was this folder var/spool/courier/msgs getting full.

Great, I thought, we had a user that was keeping all of their email on the server so we got them to turn that feature off which should have cleared out the space.

This didnt happen so in an attempt to be sensible we decided to move these files to a different partition just to create some space which seemed to work. Until we check later and the partition is full again. It seems that somehow these files a re-appearing and we can't put our fingers on what is causing this.

Also our maillog files in var/log are pretty huge (2GB or so in total). not sure if this is a link. can these files have a size limit placed on them?

can anyone offer any advice on what could be the cause of these files?

thanks

**Ross** · #2 (**permalink**) 25-01-12, 05:02 PM

Firstly

to our forums

I am unable to locate your Billing account. Can you please PM me your registered email address, so that I can locate your account and ask a admin for the respective dept to suggest you a solution.

ikonaboys · #3 (**permalink**) 25-01-12, 05:04 PM

Hi. Not sure what you mean by billing account, is this not a general forum?

**Ross** · #4 (**permalink**) 25-01-12, 05:10 PM

I thought you are one of our client. That's not a problem

I will ask someone from support dept to provide you with a solution.

ikonaboys · #5 (**permalink**) 25-01-12, 05:13 PM

No. You were the top hit on google for 'Linux web server forum'

**Ross** · #6 (**permalink**) 25-01-12, 05:16 PM

Glad to know that you choose our forum for a solution.

I have escalated the request to respective dept and you will get a update shortly

ikonaboys · #7 (**permalink**) 03-02-12, 08:43 AM

Hi guys,

I was just wondering if you had any further ideas on this. I understand were not a client of yours but if you could help that would be massively appreciated and if you can provide us with a solution, your support will be remembered and we will happily recommend your web hosting solutions in future websites.

Unfortunately we inherited the current hosting company. I won't specify the name of the current hosting provider but they have been no help whatsoever in explaining why this is happening. The only "solution" they have provided vague example of running a cron job to remove the files (so we don't have to do it manually)... This isn't a solution or explanation however - we'd like to identify why it is happening and put a stop to it. Rather than attempt to manage the problem forever...

All of the mail accounts/machines have been set to download and not leave a message on the server. Yet approximately every 24 hours we are having to empty the var/spool/courier/msgs folder because it is full i.e. it has reached 3.5gb in a day each day.

We can't imagine they are receiving this many emails and in case they should be downloading to the machines and removing from the server. Our only explanation/idea at this point is that those emails that were we being left on the server (before we set to download and remove on the local machines) are somehow being backed up from somewhere.

It's fairly annoying problem for us as every time it fills up they can't receive any emails or log into their web admin panel (not even enough room for a session in var!).

Please let us know your thoughts. Any advice, guidance or ideas would be massively appreciated

Thanks,

al@ikona