CommuniGate Server History

3.0 10-Nov-98

• This version requires new user license keys. If your user license key was issued before Oct 1997 you should purchase an update. 5-user license is still free.
• CommuniGate used to convert unknown MIME parts into plain text causing problems when relaying HTML-based or RTF-styled messages. Now it saves the original texts of messages being received and uses them when serving users with non-CommuniGator mail client programs, so CommuniGate now can be used as a mail relay without any conversion problems. Warning: this feature works only with registered communication modules and makes all received messges about twice bigger.
• Now you can set the Server to delete its old log files automatically.
• Set Note command for User and Server-wide Rules implemented. It can be utilised only with Client 3.1 and newer.
• Bug fix: the crashing bug in OpenTransport networking code was fixed.
• The workaround for a security hole in Apple's Program Linking was implemented. Now CommuniGate server can not be used for hijacking AppleShare servers through OSAX extensions.

2.9.9 27-Jan-98

• The Dialer is modified to solve the local/long distance numbers problem for European countries. See the Dialer chapter of the Server Guide for the details.
• PowerKey(tm) support is implemented. The Server uses the PowerKey daemon as a watch dog and calls the daemon every 3 minutes.
• Addresses used to Redirect letters can specify Delay times now.
• Bug Fix: MIME headers created for sending Fax messages via the Internet incorrectly specified the document type.

2.9.8 21-Oct-97

• Server-wide Rules are implemented (2.9 or 3.0 Client is required to configure them).
• The $a and $A symbol combination are supported in the Rules to insert the recipient address or addresses into the reaction/reply message.
• The CommuniGate Router always re-parses domains now (to support path-type domain routing records).
• The Help files installed with the CommuniGate Installer are supported now.
• Bug Fix: when the last text-type letter element was smaller than 2 bytes, it could be cut off when converting into the Internet format.
• Bug Fix: address parser accepts all non-ascii characters now.
• Bug Fix: a workaround for the MacOS background tasks grafport bug is implemented.
• Bug Fix: changing capitalization of resource names (renaming "abc" into "ABC") works correctly now.

2.9.7 18-Jul-97

• Reversed Routing is improved.

2.9.6 05-Jul-97

• The Local and Stranger flags are implemented to protect the server from spammers and to allow selected non-native clients to use all CommuniGate features available only for "local" clients.
• The header data (subject, etc) is encoded using the Binary method when the ISO-2022-jp (japanese) character set is specified: most of mailers available for ISO-2022-jp fail to process headers encoded with the Quoted-Printable method.
• The Listener manager is modified: when OpenTransport fails again, and its bugs prevent other incoming connections from being accepted, the Listener manager automaticaly closes the failed listener socket, so the affected module can reopen it later.
• The Reversed-Routing is implemented (used with the CommuniGate FC-gateway).
• The STREAMS manager is improved for both OpenTransport and MacTCP systems.

2.9.5 02-Jul-97

• The version 2.9.4 used a new scheme to create temp files. The scheme revealed a bug in MacOS that caused those temp files to appear in the Trash folder. Emptying the Trash resulted in various problems showing up as -1701, -120 and other error reports. This version implements a workaround.

2.9.4 27-Jun-97

• Several internal functions improved and added to support new modules, new module versions, and new CommuniGator features.
• TCP Schedule processing and logging is improved.

2.9.3 07-Jun-97

• The VICOM Internet gateway is explicitly supported now.
• Address processing for the CommuniGator client application is improved for failed routes.

2.9.2 02-Jun-97

• New STREAMS manager is implemented. This manager will be used with all new versions of communication modules that use TCP/IP and/or ADSP.
• Delivery History information (the "Received" RFC822 headers) is processed and stored as a separate message element. This information can be displayed with the upcoming CommuniGator 2.7.2 client.
• Bcc: addresses are not visible to local users now. With pre-2.7.2 clients, empty addresses can appear in the Recipients field.
• "Unconditional" priority for TCP/IP sessions is implemented. This allows to separate outgoing high-priority sessions and incoming sessions that should not trigger outgoing activity.
• Problem Fix: the 2.9.1 version of the server could crash when showing USERS list if the server computer was running AppleShare 4.x, and the MacOS version was 7.x. The MacOS problem was fixed in MacOS 8.0, but this version should provide a workaround for AppleShare server running under MacOS 7.5.x.
• Bug Fix: the Resolver manager could crash if a dial-up TCP/IP link broke.

2.9.1 12-May-97

• The workaround for -3205 bug in OT/PPP is implemented. While the -3205 error code can still appear if OT/PPP dialing fails, it should not block subsequent dialing attempts any more.
• Only the users that can access the MacOS on the server computer via Program Linking (and not those that can access it via FileSharing) are listed in the Users resource list now.
• The Use urgent Session TCP Schedule option is implemented. When enabled, it allows regular-priority operations to take place during the sessions initiated with high-priority requests.
• Bug Fix: AppleTalk Transition routing could crash the system (it could happen when you changed the computer "flagship" name or when AppleTalk was switched off or on).

2.9 05-May-97

• The Use Links Initiated by Others option is implemented. This TCP Schedule option allows the CommuniGate Server to use PPP sessions initiated with some other application or manually.
• The kernel OpenTransport services are improved and part of them are available now when OT is not installed.
• The support code for the old FaxSender 1.x is removed.
• The Notification module is improved; it can produce Log records now.
• Server-based On-line Help support is implemented.
• Processing of incoming messages can be suspended now if there is not enough space in the Server partition.
• Postmaster can now edit User Settings and User Rules without Logging under that user name.

2.8.6 16-Apr-97

• The new Address Book server module is implemented. The server supports both old and new address book panels now. Support for old address books will be removed later.
• The Server Documents processing is modified.
• The Server Documents folder can contain aliases now.
• Bug Fix: the From Address/Name condition in the User Rules checked the Sender, not the From address.
• Bug Fix: 2.8.4-2.8.5 server did not process FreePPP correctly under the old MacTCP system.

2.8.5 13-Apr-97

• The new PBX Prefix is added to the Dialer Settings. If this prefix is not empty, it is added to all phone numbers to be dialed, except the numbers starting with the minus (-) sign. If you had a non-empty Local Prefix, it is moved to the PBX Prefix now, and it is removed from the the beginning of the Long and Intl Prefix settings. This should solve several Dialer problems. Check your Dialer settings after updating.
• Bug Fix: The Ignore Dialtone Dialer option forced the modem to ignore the BUSY signal.
• Bug Fix: The Server 2.8.4 did not check the TCP Schedule restrictions for non-dialup configurations.

2.8.4 12-Apr-97

• OT/PPP is supported now.
• If the FreePPP software is not selected, you can keep it installed now.
• Under the Open Transport, the Server detects when the OT/TCP configuration changes.

2.8.3 08-Apr-97

• The Rename Resource function is supported. It's useful for changing a registered user name while preserving all User Settings. Needs Client 2.6
• The RFC Header Line Rules condition is implemented . Needs Client 2.6

2.8.2 02-Apr-97

• The problem that caused TCP/IP modules to crash on some non-PPC machines under Open Transport has been fixed.

2.8.1 20-Mar-97

• User (AppleEvent) Interface improved to support gateways as the CommuniGate <-> FirstClass Gateway.
• When Redirecting and Forwarding, the User Rules copy all original Cc: and To: fields now.

2.8 04-Mar-97

• Foreign account aliasing is implemented.
• Improved wildcard processing in the Router.
• The "CommuniGate Folder", the "Documents", "Logs", and "Address Books" folders can be replaced with aliases now.
• The "Content-Disposition: attachment" MIME headers are honored now.
• Bug Fix: the prefix detection Dialer algorith is fixed (this bug appeared in 2.7.4)
• Bug Fix: "Merge" accounts (LocalGate routing) can be aliased now.

2.7.4 07-Feb-97

• Messages with bad Date: format are now marked with the current Server date, not with the "zero-date".
• The "Mark Important/Mark Unimportant" User Rule actions are implemented.
• Bug fix: the Serial Port check procedure is fixed (it could cause some modules such as the UUCP Gate to stop using some ports).

2.7.3 30-Jan-97

• Phone numbers Router changed: if a phone number is entered with the intl, long, or local prefix (which usually is No-No), that prefix is removed - useful for replying to fax numbers.
• Internal change: the Addresses and Routes sets are locked in memory when a hi-speed module opens a message file.
• Bug Fix: when encoding RFC header "Atoms" in ISO-2022-jp (japan) character set, the atom was not always finished correctly (no Shift-Out), and this created problems for mail clients such as Eudora.
• Bug Fix: the MIME "Base64"-encoded HEADERS were not decoded correctly (additional characters could be added).

2.7.2 27-Jan-97

• Bug Fix: the General settings were corrupted in the Server 2.7.1. If you upgrade from 2.7.1, you'll have to reenter the General Settings again.
• Now the high priority TCP/IP calls (that ignores the TCP Schedule) do not allow other TCP/IP activity to start at the same time, ignoring the TCP/IP Schedule.
• Bug Fix: The Mark as Important command applied to unopened letters did not update the In Box window.
• Some internal changes.

2.7.1 24-Jan-97

• The Password User Setting is implemented (to substitute the Password Settings in the POP and IMAP access modules).
• The MIME encoding of embedded PICTs is changed to make it compatible with other programs (as CyberDog) and to make text-only mailers (as Eudora, Emailer, QuickMail) store the PICT objects as PICT files.
• If the CommuniGate Server runs on the AppleShare server machine, you can enter the AppleShare Admin password in the CommuniGate Server General settings to allow the Server to access the Users&Groups database.

2.7 30-Dec-96

• Session processing changes to support non-CommuniGator clients (as IMAP4 clients)
• The "Flagged" (or "Important") message marker is supported.
• The Suspended/Delayed/Processing message states are reported to clients now.
• Module environment procedure set is enhanced (for IMAP and other modules).
• Additional MIME file types are supported.
• AppleDouble decoder error processing corrected.
• Resource Base error processing corrected.

2.6.1 02-Dec-96

• MIME quoted-printable encoding is enhanced
• Internet RFC822 processing engine is improved to ignore additional at line ends.
• Resource Renaming is implemented.
• Serial Port Arbitrator is supported for modules checking ports before opening them.
• Bug Fix: Default Internet Character Sets settings were ignored in 2.6.
• Bug Fix: the Date RFC field was ignored when a message was submitted via an AppleEvent.

2.6 27-Nov-96

• MIME decoding and encoding of RFC headers is implemented.
• Storing an empty Note reveals the original message subject now.
• The PostScript MIME type is supported.
• The QuickMail Pro forms MIME encoding is supported.
• Imporved reliablity of message and preference storage.
• Quoted-Printable and Base64 MIME encodings are improved.

2.5.2 19-Nov-96

• Mapper functions of OpenTransport are supported.
• Bug fix: closing the OpenTransport services (on Shut Down) has been changed to avoid crashes.

2.5.1 31-Oct-96

• The internal buffers are enlarged to increase the speed of message transfers via AppleEvents.
• The FileSharing check is now implemented for all types of TCP/IP connections.
• Bug Fix: the internal buffer overflow resulted in the -50 errors in the LocalGate monitor.
• Bug Fix: the built-in character sets (as ISO-1022-JP) could not be selected as "server default".

2.5

• The Japanese (ISO-1022-JP) encoding is supported now.
• A workaround to solve the FreePPP/FileSharing conflict is implemented.

2.4.1

• Dial-up connections are supported in the OpenTransport-native mode.

2.4

• Many internal changes to improve queue management algorithms - important for heavy-duty installations (thousands of messages per day, dozens simultaneous connections, etc.)
• The new Open Transport-based algorithm is used for the interrupt-driven tasks to improve stability and performance.
• The native OpenTransport TCP environment for communication modules.
• Session management has changed; when the first person with the "is Postmaster" attribute logs in, she sees the Postmaster messages in her In Box, when she logs out, the Postmaster messages appear in the In Box of a next available connected user with the "is Postmaster" attrbute set. Logging in as "Postmaster" revokes the Postmaster messages from the current "postmaster on duty" In box.
• The LocalGate monitor shows the computers the local users are connected from, as well as the names of the applications they use.
• New queue services are available for communication modules.
• The new General Setting "delete failed messages" allows you to specify how long the failed messages should stay in the CommuniGate Server queues before they are automatically deleted.

2.3.4

• The Server can now show resources provided with the modules, so there is no need to store unusable resources in the server file itself: the fax *Header* resource is now built into the FaxGate, not into the Server, etc.

2.3.3

• The Errors-To: addresses are supported now.

2.3.2

• Several internal improvements for the Client 2.2 and FaxSender 2.2.

2.3.1

• More conditions are supported in the User Rules now: Relative Time, Current Day of Week (in Local time of the server), Current Time of Day (in the local time of the server), Total Message Size.
• The TCP Schedule limits how often TCP/IP streams can be created for non-PPP links. TCP streams can be open during the first 2 minutes of the "session", then new streams are open only when the schedule allows.
• If the Open Transport is installed, it is initialized (preparation for OT-native Internet modules).

2.3

• The Dialer settings are improved: now you can specify how short a number should be to be treated as a local one.
• Compatibility with PortShare Pro server is enchanced: the server does not touch a port that is busy with a PortShare client, even if the Serial Port Arbitrator is not installed: PortShare warning alert messages are not gernerated any more.
• The "Redirect" server function is implemented (to allows redirection of messages without transferring them to and from a client).
• Unrecognized MIME "text" portions are processed as text/plain now (before they were stored as attachments).
• Working with the Server Documents is improved.
• Special-call interface is supported to pass data directly to modules (used by the Voice System Compiler and the Phone Agent now).
• The $F, $f, and $n symbol combinations are processed in the User Rules "reply" and "react" Letters.
• The 'Reply-to:' Address User Setting is supported now.
• The Personal User Settiings Editor checks for incorrect symbols and substitutes them with '?' now.
• Bug fix: the Rules Conditions dealing with address names did not work properly if an address did not contain a name.
• Bug fix: very long (>200 characters) E-mail addresses could corrupt some Server data.

2.2.1

• On startup, the "Message From" and "Routed To" log messages for old files in the Queue are generated only if the Low-Level Log level is set (in the General and Router settings).
• Bug Fix: when the server (User Rules) composed a reply/reaction the plain text letter bodies were not processed and characted combinations ($S,$F,etc.) were not substituted.

2.2

• The PPP Dialing setting has been changed to "TCP Schedule". The TCP Schedule option is now available for all types of TCP links, so you can restrict TCP/IP activity even if you are on Ethernet TCP/IP (for example, if you have an IP router on your Ethernet, and you want to restrict IP activity of the CommuniGate System to decrease the number of calls the router makes).
• The LocalGate is enabled to route entire domains to local accounts:

doman.name = <localGate>account. This can be useful to provide unified domain-wide accounts for other systems.
• The domain "local" is recognized by the LocalGate, and it is equivalent to an empty string (i.e. no domain name).
• The user "Unknown" is supported: if such a user is registered, all mail to unregistered names on the local system is routed to the user Unknown (without generating error reports).
• Serial port allocating is made more coooperative with PortShare Pro and ARA.

2.1.2

• The "SUBMIT MESSAGE" AppleEvent is supported now.

2.1.1

• The PPC module has been changed to get rid of the -917 type errors in FaxSender.

2.1

• Several internal changes.
• Generating error and return-receipt messages with additional info is implemented.

2.0.2

• MIME stream encoding is supported now.
• AppleSingle and AppleDouble encoding is supported now.
• UUencode encoding and decoding are supported now.
• The Attachments Encoding option is set for incoming letters to ensure smooth relaying.
• Trailing spaces coding is corrected for MIME quoted-printable encoding.

2.0.1

• MIME quoted-printable encoding is improved to break long lines on word boundaries.
• The MIME Mode option in outgoing letters in processed now.
• The MIME Mode option is set for incoming letters to ensure smooth relaying.
• The TCP Agent is modified to work with OpenTransport 1.1.
• Non-Text (Fax) messages can be sent and received via Internet now (with MIME enabled).

2.0

• MIME support is implemented.
• The Default Internet Character Set option is implemented.
• Base64, AppleSingle and AppleDouble decoding is implemented.
• The charset headers in MIME letters are processes for text coding/decoding.
• Internet Coding, MIME mode and Attachment method options are supported.
• Bug fixed in the PPC handler that serves requests from FaxSender.
• The Add Note command is implemented.
• The special names ERROR and NULL are supported in the Router to reject/discard messages.

1.9

• The User Rules are implemented.

1.8.7

• Dial-up TCP/IP communications are now supported. The PPP Dialing item appears in the Server menu if MacPPP/FreePPP is installed. MacPPP connection should cause much less problems now, with introduction of the TCP Agent applet.

1.8.5

• Several internal improvements and fixes. Workaround for the MacOS File Manager bug causing the -43 error.

1.8

• Server-based User resources (settings) are implemented.
• Resending of messages to selected addresses is implemented.
• Remote access to local mailboxes (via POP, etc) is implemented.

1.7

• Log Monitoring implemented
• Bug Fix: Incoming faxes are now placed into the New Messages, so they are processed when received.
• Bug Fix: operations wth serial port driver names are corrected.

1.6

• Return-Receipt-to and Return-Path addresses are supported.
• Creating and processing Internet (RFC822) headers was moved to the server kernel, so all internet e-mail modules can share them. Also, the kernel now supports BinHex encoding/decoding.
• Text coding/encoding tables are supported.
• Log files are closed at midnight and new log files are created automatically. Log viewer is supported.
• Queue processing has changed to improve the speed when several hundred messages are in queues. The New Messages and Bad Messages folders are used now.
• When starting up, the Server re-processes stored messages one-at-a-time, so during startup the server computer is not locked for minutes if too many messages are in queue.
• Server-based address books are implemented.
• The Route Failed to Postmaster option is implemented in the Router.
• The Router polls the modules twice to support foreign "Mail Servers": messages are now forwarded to some foreign mail server only if all other modules cannot route a message.

1.5

• Bug Fix: stack size check corrected (bug caused crashes on old low-end machines).
• Bug Fix: Initialization code in 1.3-1.4 versions could damage system memory: it caused various crashes one some machines when CommuniGate Server was starting up.
• Several internal changes (partial TCP/IP support).

1.4

• Routing is improved (see the Routing file for details). Wildcard (*) symbols are supported in the Routing Table.
• Return-Receipt and Error notifications are implemented.
• Multiple local addresses are supported: if the message is directed to several local users and one of them deletes the message from her/his In Box, the message is not removed from that In Box, not from the server. A message is deleted only when all recipients delete it from their In Boxes.
• Message deleting speed has been improved.
• The Message Delivered and the Message Transmitted states were added instead of the single "Message Sent" state.
• Bug Fix: the "serial port busy" situation is detected correctly again (this bug was introduced with 1.3, which was complied using Metrowerks C).

1.3

• Version checks are implemented (outdated modules are not loaded, new modules don't work with an outdated server).
• "Server Documents" are now supported.
• Bug Fix: the "-" in phone numbers is now processed correctly.