Access logs are not rotated on Plesk server: Rotation of files with multiple hard links is not allowed



This Plesk Obisidian issue was initially handled by Plesk Support, but the solution wasn’t ideal, as it applied changes to all configuration files, including those that didn’t require it. This resulted in duplicated options being added to the files.

Symptoms

  • Log rotation doesn’t rotate logs, resulting in no compressed .gz files being created.
  • Forcing log rotation for a specific domain results in the following error:
/usr/local/psa/logrotate/sbin/logrotate -v -f /usr/local/psa/etc/logrotate.d/example.com
(...)
considering log /var/www/vhosts/system/example.com/logs/access_log.processed log 
/var/www/vhosts/system/example.com/logs/access_log.processed has multiple (2) hard links. 
Rotation of files with multiple hard links is not allowed for 
/var/www/vhosts/system/example.com/logs/*.processed -- skipping.
(...)

Cause

This issue is due to product bugs, resolved in the following updates:

  • #PPPM-13562: “Fixed the issue where log rotation failed for files with two or more hard links.”
    Fixed in: Plesk Obsidian 18.0.60 (02 April 2024)
  • #PPPM-13473: “Log rotation now works correctly after updating to Plesk Obsidian 18.0.42.”
    Fixed in: Plesk Obsidian 18.0.43 (12 April 2022)
  • #PPPM-13519: “Log rotation now works correctly after updating to Plesk Obsidian 18.0.43 even if /usr/local/psa/etc/logrotate.conf was customized.”
    Fixed in: Plesk Obsidian 18.0.44 (24 May 2022)

Resolution

It is recommended to update your server to the latest Plesk version. For guidance, see: How to install Plesk updates.

Workaround

If updating is not possible, you can try adding the allowhardlink directive in the log rotation configuration files as a workaround.

If updating is not an option, you can manually add the allowhardlink directive to log rotation configuration files as a workaround. Follow these steps:

Before making any changes, it’s recommended to back up the existing configuration files. Run the following command:

cp -r /usr/local/psa/etc/logrotate.d/ /usr/local/psa/etc/logrotate.d_backup/

2. Create and Run a Script to Add the Directive

You can create a script that checks if the allowhardlink directive is missing in each log configuration file, and add it only if necessary.

    1. Open your terminal and create the script:
nano /root/add_allowhardlink.sh
    1. Paste the following script into the file:

#!/bin/bash

# Directory containing the logrotate configuration files
LOGROTATE_DIR="/usr/local/psa/etc/logrotate.d/"

# Loop through each configuration file in the directory
for config_file in "$LOGROTATE_DIR"/*; do
  # Check if the file contains "allowhardlink"
  if ! grep -q "allowhardlink" "$config_file"; then
    # If not, append "allowhardlink" after "copytruncate"
    sed -i '/copytruncate/a allowhardlink' "$config_file"
    echo "Added 'allowhardlink' to $config_file"
  else
    echo "'allowhardlink' already exists in $config_file"
  fi
done
  
    1. Save and exit the file by pressing CTRL + X, then Y, and Enter.
    2. Make the script executable by running:
chmod +x /root/add_allowhardlink.sh
    1. Run the script to apply the changes:
/root/add_allowhardlink.sh

3. Verify the Changes

Once the script has run, you can manually check some configuration files to ensure the allowhardlink directive has been correctly added. Run the following command to check a specific file:

cat /usr/local/psa/etc/logrotate.d/your-config-file

This solution ensures that the allowhardlink directive is only added to files where it’s missing, preventing duplicate entries.

Mail Autodiscover Feature in Plesk Obsidian for Linux

The Mail Autodiscover feature in Plesk Obsidian for Linux is designed to simplify the process of configuring mail clients, such as Outlook, Thunderbird, and mobile devices. It automatically detects and configures the email server settings (IMAP, POP, SMTP) for a domain’s mail accounts, reducing manual input.

Key Points about the Mail Autodiscover Feature

1. Purpose of Autodiscover

The autodiscover feature helps end-users by automatically setting up their mail clients without the need to manually enter server settings (such as the IMAP/POP and SMTP server names, ports, and security settings). It simplifies email account configuration by automatically supplying the correct mail server details based on the user’s email address.

2. How Autodiscover Works

When a user adds their email account to a mail client, the client sends an Autodiscover request (usually to autodiscover.domain.com or domain.com/autodiscover/autodiscover.xml) to fetch the server configuration. The mail client receives the necessary settings, such as:

  • Incoming mail server (IMAP or POP).
  • Outgoing mail server (SMTP).
  • Port numbers and security settings (SSL/TLS).
  • Username and other optional settings.

3. Autodiscover for Domains in Plesk

In Plesk, Autodiscover is enabled by default for email services and can be managed per domain. Plesk creates DNS records for autodiscover.yourdomain.com and related services during domain setup to enable mail autodiscovery.

4. Protocols Supported by Plesk Autodiscover

IMAP, POP3, and SMTP server settings are supplied by the Autodiscover feature. It also supports SSL/TLS settings for secure mail communication.

5. DNS and SRV Records for Autodiscover

To ensure that Autodiscover works properly, Plesk creates DNS SRV records for the domain’s mail service. These records point mail clients to the correct servers for IMAP/POP and SMTP. The typical DNS SRV records created for Autodiscover are:

  • _autodiscover._tcp.yourdomain.com
  • _imaps._tcp.yourdomain.com
  • _pop3s._tcp.yourdomain.com
  • _smtps._tcp.yourdomain.com

6. Supported Mail Clients

Autodiscover works with various popular mail clients that support this feature, such as:

  • Microsoft Outlook (for automatic email account setup).
  • Mozilla Thunderbird.
  • Apple Mail.
  • Mobile devices like Android and iOS.

7. SSL/TLS and Autodiscover

Plesk ensures that mail autodiscovery can work over secure connections. When properly configured, clients will receive SSL/TLS settings, ensuring that the email communication is encrypted.

8. Customising Autodiscover

If you need to adjust or customise the Autodiscover behavior in Plesk (for instance, for a different domain setup or custom mail server), you can modify the DNS SRV records or Autodiscover configuration.

9. Troubleshooting Autodiscover

If Autodiscover is not working correctly:

  • Verify that the correct DNS SRV records are in place.
  • Ensure that your mail server’s SSL certificates are correctly configured.
  • Check your firewall settings to make sure the mail ports (IMAP/POP and SMTP) are open.
  • Test using the Microsoft Remote Connectivity Analyser to see if Autodiscover is working for your domain.

10. Enabling/Disabling Autodiscover

In some cases, you may want to disable Autodiscover for specific domains. You can do this by removing or adjusting the DNS records in the Plesk DNS settings.

Example of an Autodiscover SRV Record in Plesk

Here is an example of how an SRV record for autodiscovery might look in Plesk:

ServiceProtocolPriorityWeightPortTarget
_autodiscover_tcp00443autodiscover.yourdomain.com
_imaps_tcp00993mail.yourdomain.com
_smtps_tcp00465mail.yourdomain.com

How to Enable/Manage Autodiscover in Plesk

1. DNS Setup

Go to Domains > DNS Settings and ensure that the correct SRV and A records for Autodiscover are present.

2. Mail Server Settings

Ensure your mail server (Postfix/Dovecot) is correctly configured to support Autodiscover. You can check mail server settings in Tools & Settings > Mail Server Settings.

3. SSL Configuration

Ensure that SSL certificates for the mail server and Autodiscover domain are valid and properly set up.

Conclusion

The Mail Autodiscover feature in Plesk Obsidian for Linux simplifies the setup of email accounts by automatically detecting mail server settings and configuring mail clients accordingly. It works with popular clients like Outlook and Thunderbird and relies on DNS SRV records and proper mail server configurations. To ensure it works, ensure correct DNS, mail server, and SSL setups.

Finding the Cheapest Web Hosting Without Compromising Quality

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Case Study: How Jake Launched a Successful Fitness Coaching Business Online

Background:

Jake Williams had always been passionate about fitness. A certified personal trainer, Jake spent years helping clients in person at the local gym. However, when the pandemic hit and gyms closed, his business took a significant hit. With no way to meet clients face-to-face, Jake needed a solution to keep his coaching business afloat. He knew that going online was his best option, but he had no idea how to set up a website or manage an online presence.

The Idea:

Jake envisioned offering virtual fitness coaching through his own website, where clients could book personal training sessions, access workout plans, and receive one-on-one consultations. He needed an easy-to-use, affordable platform that would allow him to transition his in-person services to a fully online model.

Solution:

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Results:

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Conclusion:

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Case Study: How Emily Built a Thriving Handmade Jewellery Business Online

Background:

Emily Robertson had always been passionate about creating unique, handcrafted jewellery. For years, she made custom pieces for friends and family, but after losing her part-time job in 2020, Emily decided it was time to turn her hobby into a full-fledged business. She wanted to reach a wider audience and sell her creations online, but had no experience building websites or running an e-commerce store. The idea of managing a website and processing orders seemed daunting.

The Idea:

Emily’s vision was to create a website where customers could browse her jewellery collections, place custom orders, and even learn about the process behind her handcrafted designs. She wanted her site to reflect the uniqueness of her brand, but also needed something easy to manage so she could focus on her craft rather than spending all her time on tech issues.

Solution:

Emily found the perfect solution with UK Cheapest, which offered everything she needed to get her business online quickly and affordably. Here’s how she made it happen:

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Results:

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Conclusion:

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