Sendmail Operation Guide

Load limiting

sendmail(1M) can be asked to queue (but not deliver) mail if the system load average gets too high using the QueueLA option. When the load average exceeds the value of the QueueLA option, the delivery mode is set to q (queue only) if the QueueFactor option divided by the difference in the current load average and the QueueLA option plus one exceeds the priority of the message; that is, the message is queued if:

   pri > { bold QueueFactor } over { LA - { bold QueueLA } + 1 }
The QueueFactor option defaults to 600000, so each point of load average is worth 600000 priority points.

For drastic cases, the RefuseLA option defines a load average at which sendmail will refuse to accept network connections. Locally generated mail (including incoming UUCP mail) is still accepted.


© 2000 The Santa Cruz Operation, Inc. All rights reserved.