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Postfix is unable to start

This document (7007535) is provided subject to the disclaimer at the end of this document.

Environment

SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10

Situation

Starting the Postfix service on SuSE Linux Enterprise Server (SLES) fails

Resolution

Step to fix:-
  1. Go to /etc/postfix and open the file main.cf
  2. Edit the file and search for parameter inet_interfaces
  3. Check to see if an IPv6 address is listed.  Remove ;;1 from the last of the line.
  4. The entry should be "localhost" or "127.0.0.1"  (without quotes) 

In addition to the fix listed above, check the /var/log/mail file for errors that are reported when starting Postfix fails.

Additional Information

The cause of the additional IPv6 information on the inet_interfaces line is still under investigation, but it is likely caused by configuring the Mail Transfer agent in YaST while IPv6 is enabled and then removing the IPv6 binding afterward, or the scripting that sets that parameter in the main.cf file has logic that leads to that setting being made.

Disclaimer

This Support Knowledgebase provides a valuable tool for SUSE customers and parties interested in our products and solutions to acquire information, ideas and learn from one another. Materials are provided for informational, personal or non-commercial use within your organization and are presented "AS IS" WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND.

  • Document ID:7007535
  • Creation Date: 11-Jan-2011
  • Modified Date:25-Feb-2021
    • SUSE Linux Enterprise Server

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