PC Gen:Creating\Copying Users for Test Postoffice w/ Real Data

• Microsoft Mail for PC Networks, versions 3.2 and 3.2a

SUMMARY

There are times when you may need to create a test postoffice with live users and/or data from your system. The following are possible reasons for creating test postoffices follow:

• Test environment for internal developers.
• Testing an upgrade path.
• Volumetric\benchmark planning.

MORE INFORMATION

Depending upon the scope of testing required, you should be able to use one of the following prototypes:

1. Exact copies of existing postoffices, complete with mail message files (.MMFs) and message transfer agents (MTAs).

   In this case you can do an MS-DOS XCOPY command of the existing postoffice to a separate network. Factors to consider:

       - Separate network is preferable so that any Ethernet or NetBIOS based
         broadcasts will not conflict with regular business during testing.
   

       - If you decide to rename these postoffices or networks, please see
         the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
   

            ARTICLE-ID: Q66007
            TITLE     : PC Adm: Changing Network and Postoffice Names
   
      If you are creating a multiple postoffice environment, keep in
      mind that because mail moves via batch processing (MTA), you will
      need to select a specific point in time to cease operation and copy
      the postoffices.
   
   

2. Subset of the system with all the moving parts, but smaller volume and quantities.

   In this case, it is possible to create dummy postoffices using the same install diskettes that you used to create the initial postoffices. This will ensure that you have serial number integrity in the event of needing an MTA on your system.

   IMPORTANT: When you use the MoveUser utility, do not delete the user(s) from the originating postoffice.

   Once you have created the necessary postoffices, use the MOVEUSER.EXE utility to move a set of users to the new postoffice. See page 336 of the version 3.2 of Microsoft Mail for PC Networks "Administrator's Guide" for directions on using MOVEUSER.EXE.

3. Select users for specific situation testing.

   In this case, it is possible to create dummy postoffices using the same installation diskettes that you used to create the initial postoffices. This will ensure that you have serial number integrity in the event of needing an MTA on your system.

   IMPORTANT: When you use the MoveUser utility, do not delete the user(s) from the originating postoffice.

   Once you have selected the users for inclusion in the test, use the

       MoveUser utility to move their accounts to the test postoffice.
   

   See page 336 of the version 3.2 of Microsoft Mail for PC Networks "Administrator's Guide" for directions on using MOVEUSER.EXE.