Sendmail, 3rd Edition

Chapter 19. The S (Rule Sets) Configuration Command

Rule sets in the configuration file, like subroutines in a program, control the sequence of steps sendmail uses to rewrite addresses. Inside each rule set is a series of zero or more individual rules. Rules are used to select the appropriate delivery agent for any particular address, to detect and reject addressing errors, to transform addresses to meet particular needs, to validate addresses and headers for the purpose of rejecting spam, and to make policy decisions.

In this chapter we will cover all aspects of rule sets, showing that rule sets are called in particular orders and explaining why this is so.

We will explain many of the rules that typically appear in rule sets. But be forewarned: the examples of rules in this chapter are only explanatory. Your sendmail.cf file is likely to have rules that are somewhat different. Copying or using these examples, without first understanding the underlying principles, can cause email to begin to fail.