Lesson Objectives
By the end of this lesson, you will be able to:
- Understand the background and benefits of the TURNOVER® for iSeries Mail Daemon for email notifications in change management processes.
- Configure the Mail Daemon, including editing properties files for JavaMail, TURNOVER® settings, EXPRESSDESK integration, plain text/HTML mails, IBM i connections, and SMTP authentication.
- Install, start, and end the Mail Daemon manually, and set up autostart jobs for automatic operation.
- Handle multiple TURNOVER® environments, log settings, and HTML message support with templates and overrides.
- Troubleshoot and apply considerations for using the daemon, such as shortcuts, URLs, and documents.
This summary condenses the 19-page supplement (v101, September 2018) into practical modules for administrators. The Mail Daemon is a Java-based service for sending TURNOVER® notifications via SMTP, integrating with EXPRESSDESK for helpdesk emails. Note: This is based on 2018 documentation for TURNOVER® for iSeries. Later releases of TURNOVER® Lifecycle Manager (e.g., Release 2.100, 2022) add OAuth support for modern authentication (Google, Microsoft Entra ID), multiple environments, and enhanced logs/HTML; check the Administrator’s Guide for updates, as no newer Supplement #52 was found in searches as of October 24, 2025.
Key Concepts
- Mail Daemon Overview: Background Java process (TMAILDAEMON) that polls data queues for email requests from TURNOVER®/EXPRESSDESK, sending via SMTP.
- Benefits: Automates notifications (e.g., approvals, escalations) without SNDDST; supports HTML for rich content.
- Properties File: tmaild.properties configures all settings; located in /TURNOVER/tmaild/.
- Autostart: Run in TSERVER subsystem for reliability.
- Multiple Envs: Handle via data queues in each data lib (SOFTTURND).
- Prerequisites: TURNOVER® v5.3+; Java 1.4+; SMTP server; optional EXPRESSDESK.
Module 1: Background and Considerations
Background
- Replaces SNDDST for flexible emailing; processes queue entries (TSNDMAPI for TURNOVER®, ESDMAPI for EXPRESSDESK).
- Runs as daemon job; configurable for polling, logging, authentication.
Considerations
- Shortcuts/URLs: Include links in emails (e.g., to forms); ensure URL resolution.
- Documents: Attach files; configure paths/authorities.
- Use for notifications like form approvals, task escalations.
Module 2: Requirements and Installation
Requirements
- IBM i V5R3+; TURNOVER® v5.3+; Java Runtime (JDK 1.4+).
- SMTP server access; firewall ports open.
- For HTML: Template files in /TURNOVER/tmaild/templates/.
Installing and Configuring
- Install via TURNOVER® setup; creates /TURNOVER/tmaild/ with jar files, properties.
- Editing tmaild.properties: Use EDTF or editor; sections for JavaMail, daemon props, EXPRESSDESK, text/HTML, IBM i conn, SMTP auth.
- JavaMail Props: mail.smtp.host, port (default 25), from address.
- Daemon Props: Poll interval (e.g., 5000 ms), log level (INFO/DEBUG), queue names.
- EXPRESSDESK Settings: Enable if used; set priorities, subjects.
- Plain Text Settings: Templates for bodies/footers.
- HTML Settings: Enable rich emails; template paths.
- IBM i Conn: Host, user/password for queue access.
- SMTP Auth: If required, set auth=true, user/password.
Module 3: Starting, Ending, and Autostart
Manual Start/End
- Start: STRTMDAEMON (prompt F4); specify subsystem (TSERVER), job name (TMAILDAEMON).
- End: ENDTMDAEMON; graceful shutdown.
Autostart Job Setup
- Determine Location: Run in TSERVER for monitoring.
- Create Job Desc: CRTJOBD TMAILDJD LIB(SOFTTURN) USER(TURNOVER) RQSDTA('STRTMDAEMON').
- Add Autostart Entry: ADDAJE SBSD(QGPL/TSERVER) JOB(TMAILDAEMON) JOBD(SOFTTURN/TMAILDJD).
Module 4: Multiple Environments and Log Settings
Multiple Environments
- For multi-data libs: Create TSNDMAPI queue in each SOFTTURND; daemon polls all.
Log Settings
- Config in properties: Log file path (/TURNOVER/tmaild/logs/tmaild.log), level (DEBUG for troubleshooting).
- Rotate logs; monitor for errors.
Module 5: HTML Message Support
HTML Template
- Enable in props: tmail.html.enabled=true.
- Template: /TURNOVER/tmaild/templates/tmail.html; customize with placeholders (e.g., %SUBJECT%, %BODY%).
- Styles: Inline CSS for compatibility.
Overriding Settings
- Per-message overrides via API calls; custom subjects/bodies.
Assessment and Next Steps
- Quiz Ideas: Purpose of Mail Daemon? Key sections in tmaild.properties? Steps for autostart?
- Practice: Edit properties for your SMTP, start daemon, test a notification form.
- Further Learning: Administrator’s Guide (Release 2.100) for OAuth updates; User Guide (v101) for notifications; Supplements #54 (Auditing), #30 (Exits/APIs). Contact UNICOM support (tech.support@unicomsi.com or +1-603-924-8818) for 2025 configs or modern auth integrations.