> On Apr 9, 2017, at 4:52 AM, Dominic Raferd <domi...@timedicer.co.uk> wrote:
>
> Is there a best/recommended way to pause postfix local deliveries so that
> I can take an LVM snapshot of the local mails for backup purposes?
The "best" way is to use a file system that supports snapshots, such as
"zfs". Otherwise, what Wietse said about "defer_transports". Covers
the Postfix part.
> The pause only has to be momentary, while the snapshot is taken, but the
> files need to be in a consistent state. If anyone also knows the way to
> pause Dovecot imap/pop3 similarly (as this could also be accessing the
> same files), that would be helpful too.
You'd have to stop Dovecot, terminating all active connections, or use
a file-system that supports snapshots.
With maildir, you can probably not worry too much about consistency,
and just do periodic rsync without stopping Postfix or Dovecot.
--
Viktor.
