Adding Aliases (addalias.exe)

Addalias.exe is a utility for adding, modifying, and deleting batches of email aliases stored in a text file. You can also import an existing Windows NT group into IMail and create a group alias An alias is another name assigned to a host name that can be used in place of the host name plus domain A term that refers to the subdivisions of the Internet. Domain can mean the major subdivision of which your network is a part, (.com, .edu, .gov, .net, .us, .uk), or it can refer to your part of the network, as in Ipswitch.com. See also Domain Name System. name. Aliases are often used to shorten long host names for convenience.domain name. Aliases are often used to shorten long host names for convenience.. If you invoke Addalias.exe with no command line options (by entering only addalias at the MS-DOS prompt), you can manually input command lines, then press Enter after each line. Make sure that you press CTRL-Z to exit the utility when you are done. For more information see, Addalias.exe Examples.

Basic Command Syntax

addalias [-h hostname] [-cX] [-{a|d|m}] alias [=destination]

Command

Function

-a aliasname

Adds an alias if the alias does not exist. aliasname is the name of the alias you want to add. Only one alias may be added in a single command line.

-cX

Specifies an alternate delimiting character, which replaces the default delimiter (the equal sign). Spaces are not allowed. (Using -c in a text file affects all lines in the file.)

-d aliasname

Deletes an alias that already exists, where aliasname is the alias you want to delete. Only one alias may be deleted in a single command line.

-f filename

You can put multiple commands into a text file for one execution of Addalias. Use -f to specify the name of the text file containing the Addalias commands. (All the above commands are valid for the text file, but note that -h and -c persist across multiple lines of input.)

-h hostname

Specifies the virtual Often abbreviated vhost, a virtual host is a provider of Web services that include server functions and Internet connection services, often used by companies or individuals who do not want to purchase and maintain their own Web servers and Internet connections. A virtual host will provide its customers with domain name registration, file storage and directory services for the files that Web page is built from, email services and even Web site design and creation services if the customers want someone else to build their Web sites.server A server is a program running on a networked computer that processes requests from a client A client is a program running on a networked computer that requests services from a server program, which is usually running on another networked computer. The client communicates with the server using a protocol. For example, an FTP client communicates with an FTP server using the FTP protocol. program, which is usually running on another networked computer. The client and server communicate using a protocol A set of rules that defines how computers will exchange information.. For example, an FTP FTP stands for File Transfer Protocol. This is one of the standard protocols defined for use on a TCP/ IP network and used to transfer files between systems. client communicates with an FTP server using an FTP protocol. functions and Internet connection services, often used by companies or individuals who do not want to purchase and maintain their own Web servers and Internet connections. A virtual host will provide its customers with domain name registration, file storage and directory services for the files that Web page is built from, email services and even Web site design and creation services if the customers want someone else to build their Web sites.domain for the alias. The primary domain is used if no email domain is specified. (Using -h in a text file affects all lines in the file.)

-i groupname

Imports an NT group as a group alias if the alias does not already exist. groupname is the group that you want to import. Only one alias can be added in a single command line.

-l

Lists current aliases. This argument may not be used in a text file.

-m aliasname

Modifies or adds an alias even if the alias exists. aliasname is the alias you want to modify. Only one alias may be modified in a single command line.

-?

Displays a summary of argument options.

Important: Windows 2000 and Advanced Server Users. You can import NT groups as an alias only for local and global groups. You cannot import NT groups  with Microsoft Active Directory Services (ADS) Universal groups.

Addalias.exe Examples

Adding an Alias to the Default (primary) Email Domain

Adding an Alias to a Specific Domain

Deleting an Alias

Importing an NT Group as a Group Alias

Return codes

Addalias.exe returns 1 if it performed at least one of the requested operations; it returns 0 if it failed.

Using a Text File

Instead of entering commands at the MS-DOS prompt, you can use a text file to input multiple commands for one execution. You can use this technique to add aliases to IMail Server from another mail system if the other mail server program can create a delimited text file of aliases. Example