Configuring AAI to use a Local Postfix Mail Server

Products

• Automation Analytics & Intelligence

Issue/Introduction

Problem

Users need to configure Automic Automation Intelligence (AAI) to send reporting and SLA monitoring emails using a locally deployed Postfix mail server. Attempts to send mail may fail or not appear in the Postfix logs if AAI is pointed to an external IP or configured with unnecessary credentials.

 

Symptoms

• Email tests from AAI do not appear in the Postfix mail logs (/var/log/maillog or /var/log/mail.log).
• Postfix is verified to work via command line on the same host, but AAI reporting/alerts fail to send.

Environment

AAI 24.4.x

Cause

Postfix is typically configured by default to only accept connections from the local machine (the "loopback" address). If AAI is configured with the host's external IP address or requires a username/password that Postfix is not set up to handle, the connection will be rejected or never reach the Postfix service.

Resolution

To configure AAI to hand off emails to a local Postfix instance, update the SMTP settings in the AAI Configuration Tool:

1. Launch the Configuration Tool:
   • Navigate to the AAI installation directory: .../jaws/config/.
   • Run ./run.sh (Linux—requires X11 forwarding) or run.bat (Windows).
2. Access SMTP Settings:
   • Click on the Other tab.
   • Locate the SMTP Server section at the bottom of the window.
3. Update Configuration:
   • SMTP Host: Change this to localhost or 127.0.0.1. (This ensures AAI communicates via the loopback address Postfix is listening on).
   • SMTP User: Clear this field.
   • SMTP Password: Clear this field.
   • Note: Most local Postfix configurations do not require authentication for mail originating from the same host.
4. Save Changes:
   • Click Apply. The changes take effect immediately without a service restart.
5. Verify Configuration:
   • Log in to the AAI Web UI.
   • Go to System Tools > Report Scheduling (or use a Data Insight report).
   • Trigger an on-demand email test.
   • Check the local mail logs (/var/log/maillog) to confirm Postfix has received and processed the request.