NAME
actsync, actsyncd - synchronize newsgroups
SYNOPSIS
actsync [-b hostid] [-d hostid] [-g max] [-i ignore_file]
[-I hostid] [-k] [-l hostid] [-m] [-n name]
[-o fmt] [-p min_%_unchg] [-q hostid] [-s size]
[-s spool_dir] [-t hostid] [-T] [-v verbose_lvl]
[-z sec] [host1] host2
actsyncd [-x] actsync.cfg [debug_level [debug_outfmt] ]
DESCRIPTION
Actsync(8) permits one to synchronize, compare or merge two
active(5) files. With this utility one may add, change or
remove newsgroups on the local news server to make it simi-
lar to the list the newsgroups found on another system or
file. The synchronization need not be exact. Local differ-
ences in newsgroup lists may be maintained and preserved.
Certain newsgroup errors may be detected and optionally
corrected.
There are several reasons to run actsync(8) (or
actsyncd(8)), on a periodic basis. Among the reasons are:
A control message to add, change or remove a newsgroup
may fail to reach your site.
Your control.ctl(5) is out of date or incomplete.
News articles for a new newsgroup arrive ahead (some-
times days ahead) of the control message.
Control messages may be forged, thus bypassing the res-
trictions found in control.ctl(5).
Your active(5) file may have been trashed.
If either host1 or host2 begin with a ``.'' or ``/'', then
they assumed to be a name of a file containing information
in the active(5) format. The getlist(1) utility may be used
to obtain copy a remote system's active file. Newsgroup
information from a file may be treated as if it was obtained
from a host. In this man page host1 and host2 are called
hosts, even though they may be file names.
If a host argument does not begin with ``.'' or ``/'', is
assumed to be a hostname or Internet address. In this case,
actsync(8) will attempt to use the NNTP protocol to obtain a
copy of the the specified system's active file.
Regardless how the active file information is obtained, the
actions of actsync(8) remain the same.
If only one host is specified, it is assumed to be host2.
If host1, is not specified, it assumed to be the default
local NNTP server as specified by the NNTPSERVER environment
variable, or by the server value found in inn.conf(5).
The newsgroup synchronization by default, involves all news-
groups found on both hosts. One may also synchronize on a
subset of newsgroups by directing actsync(8) to ignore cer-
tain newsgroups from both systems.
The actsyncd(8) daemon provides a convenient interface to
configure and run actsync(8). If a host is not initially
reachable, the daemon will thrice retry 3 times, waiting 5
minutes before each set of 3 retries. This daemon runs in
the foreground, sending output to standard output and stan-
dard error.
If the -x flag is given to actsyncd(8), then a ctlinndxexec
will be used instead of a ctlinndreload to load the newly
modified active file.
The configuration filename for the daemon is given in the
actsync.cfg argument. The actsync.cfg file is required to
have 4 lines:
host=host2
spool=/news
ignore_file=ignore_file
flags=actsyncd (8) options
The keyword must start at the beginning of the line, and
there may be no whitespace before the ``='' character.
Blank lines are ignored. Comments start with ``#'' and are
ignored. All other lines may produce undefined results.
The host config file line refers to the host2 value to sync
off of. The spool config file lines determines where top
the news spool tree is to be found. The ignore_file config
file line names the ignore file to be used by actsync(8).
The flags config file line refers to all flags that you wish
to pass to actsync(8).
Note that the -i ignore_file option, the -o format option
and the -S spool_dir option should not be given in the
flags= line because they are automatically taken care of by
actsyncd(8).
OPTIONS
The options to actsync(8) are as follows:
-b hostid
This flag causes actsync(8) to ignore newsgroups with
``bork.bork.bork'' style names. That is, newsgroups
whose last 3 components are identical. For example,
the following newsgroups have bork style names:
alt.helms.dork.dork.dork
alt.auto.accident.sue.sue.sue
alt.election.vote.vote.vote
The value hostid determines on which hosts this action
is performed:
0 neither host
1 local default server
2 remove server
12 both servers
21 both servers
The default is -b 0, no bork newsgroups are ignored.
-d hostid
This flag causes actsync(8) to ignore newsgroups that
have all numeric path components. The hostid value is
interpreted the same as in -b. For example, the fol-
lowing newsgroups have numeric path components:
alt.prime.chongo.23209
391581.times.2.to_the.216193.power.-1
99.bottles.of.treacle.on.the.wall
linfield.class.envio_bio.101.d
The newsgroups directory of a newsgroups with a all
numeric component could conflict with an article from
another group. For example, the directory for the first
newsgroup listed above is the same path as article
number 23209 from the newsgroup:
alt.prime.chongo
The default is -d 0, all numeric newsgroups from both
hosts will be processed.
-g max
Ignore any newsgroup with more than max levels. For
example, -g 6 would ignore:
alt.feinstien.votes.to.trash.freedom.of.speech
alt.senator.exon.enemy.of.the.internet
alt.crypto.export.laws.dumb.dumb.dumb
but would not ignore:
alt.feinstien.acts.like.a.republican
alt.exon.admendment
alt.crypto.export.laws
If max is 0, then the max level feature is disabled.
By default, the max level feature is disabled.
-i ignore_file
The ignore_file allows one to have a fine degree of
control over which newsgroups are ignored. It contains
a set of rules that specifies which newsgroups will be
checked and which will be ignored.
By default, these rules apply to both hosts. This can
be modified by using the -I hostid flag.
By default, all newsgroups are checked. If no
ignore_file if specified, or if the ignore file con-
tains no rule lines, all newsgroups will be checked.
Blank lines, and text after a ``#'' are considered com-
ments and are ignored.
Rule lines consist of tokens separated by whitespace.
Rule lines may be one of two forms:
c newsgroup [type ...]
i newsgroup [type ...]
If the rule begins with a c then the rule requests cer-
tain newsgroups to be checked. If the rule begins with
an i then the rule requests certain newsgroups to be
ignored. The newsgroup field may be a specific news-
group, or a wildmat(3) pattern.
If one or more types are specified, then the rule
applies to the newsgroup only if is of the specified
type. Types refer to the 4th field of the active(5)
file. A type may be one of:
y
n
m
j
x
=group.name
Unlike active files, the group.name may be a newsgroup
name or a wildmat(3) pattern. Also, ``='' is
equivalent to ``=*''.
For given rule line may, one may not repeat a given
pattern type. For example, one may not have more than
one type that begins with ``='', per line. However,
one may achieve the effect of multiple ``='' types by
using multiple rule lines for the same group.
By default, all newsgroups are candidates to be
checked. If an ignore file is used, each newsgroup in
turn is checked against the ignore file. If multiple
lines match a given newsgroup, the last line in the
ignore file is used.
For example, consider the following ignore file lines:
i *.general
c *.general m
i nsa.general
The newsgroup: ba.general would be ignored if it was
not moderated. The newsgroup: mod.general would be
checked if it was moderated. The newsgroup:
nsa.general would be ignored even if it was moderated.
-I hostid
This flag restricts which hosts, the ignore file
applies. The hostid value is interpreted the same as
in -b.
This flag may be useful in conjustion with the -m merge
flag. For example:
actsync -i actsync.ign -I 2 -m host1 host2
will keep all newsgroups currently on host1. It will
also will only compare host1 groups with non-ignored
newsgroups from host2.
The default is -I 12, newsgroups from both hosts to be
ignored per the -I hostid flag.
-k By default, any newsgroup on host1 that is in error
will be considered for removal. This causes actsync(8)
simply ignore such newsgroups. This flag, in combina-
tion with -m will prevent any newsgroup from being
scheduled for removal.
-l hostid
Flag problem newsgroups of type ``='' from host1 or
host2 as errors. The hostid value is interpreted the
same as in -b. Newsgroups of type ``='' are newsgroups
active entries that have 4th field that begins with
``=''. I.e., a newsgroup that is equivalent to another
newsgroup.
A newsgroup that is equivalent to itself, or that is in
a equivalence chain that loops around to itself is a
problem. A newsgroup that is in a chain that is longer
than 16 is a problem group. A newsgroup that is
equivalent to a non-existent newsgroup is a problem. A
newsgroup that is equivalent to a newsgroup that is has
a error of some kind a problem. However, a newsgroup
that is equivalent to an ignored newsgroup is not a
problem.
By default, problem newsgroups from both hosts are
marked as errors.
-m Merge newsgroups instead of sync. By default, if a
newsgroup exists on host1 but not host2, it will be
scheduled to be removed. This flag disables this pro-
cess, permitting newsgroups unique to host1 to be kept.
-n name
Newsgroups that are created, are created via the
ctlinnd(8) command. By default, the creator name used
is actsync. This flag changes the creator name to
name.
-o fmt
Determine the output / action format of this utility.
The fmt may one of:
a output in active(5) format,
a1 output in active(5) format,
and output host1 non-error ignored groups
ak output in active(5) format, but use host2
hi & low (2nd & 3rd active fields) values
for any newsgroup being created
aK output in active(5) format, but use host2
hi & low (2nd & 3rd active fields) values
for all newsgroups found in host2
a1k output in active(5) format, but use host2
hi & low (2nd & 3rd active fields) values
for any newsgroup being created,
and output host1 non-error ignored groups
a1K output in active(5) format, but use host2
hi & low (2nd & 3rd active fields) values
for all newsgroups found in host2,
and output host1 non-error ignored groups
ak1 same as a1k
aK1 same as a1K
c output in ctlinnd(8) format
x no output, directly exec ctlinnd(8) commands
xi no output, directly exec ctlinnd(8) commands,
in an interactive mode
The a, a1, ak, aK, a1k, a1K, ak1 and aK1 style formats
allow one to form a new active file instead of produc-
ing ctlinnd(8) commands. They use hi & low values of
0000000000 and 0000000001 respectively for newsgroups
that are created. The ak and aK variants change the
the hi & low (2nd & 3rd active fields). In the case of
ak, newsgroups created take their hi & low values from
host2. In the case of aK, all newsgroups found on
host2 take their hi & low values from host2.
The c format produces ctlinnd(8) commands. No actions
are taken because actsync(8) simply prints ctlinnd(8)
commands on standard output. The sync (or merge if -m)
with host2 may be accomplished by piping this output
into sh(1). A paranoid person might prefer to use x or
xi in case a newsgroup name or type contains bogus
characters that might be interpreted by sh(1). Even
so, this output format is useful to let you see how
host1 may be synced (or merge) with host2.
The sync (or merge if -m) may be accomplished directly
by use of the x. With this format, actsync(8) uses the
execl(2) system call to directly executes ctlinnd(8)
commands. Because of the exec, there is no risk of
bogus newsgroups containing bogus characters causing a
shell to do bogus (or dangerous) things. The output of
such execs may be seen of the verbosity level is at
least 2.
The actsync(8) utility will pause for 4 seconds before
each command is executed if -o x is selected. See the
-z sec flag below.
The xi format interactively prompts on standard output
and reads directives on standard input. One may pick
and choose changes using this format.
Care should be taken when producing active(5) formatted
output. One should check to be sure that actsync(8)
exited with a zero status prior to using such output.
Also one should realize that such output will not con-
tain lines ignored by the -i ignore_file process even
if -p 100 is used.
By default, -o c is assumed.
-p min_%_unchg
By default, the actsync(8) utility has safeguards
against performing massive changes. If fewer than
min_%_unchg percent of the non-ignored lines from host1
remain unchanged, no actions (output, execution, etc.)
are performed and actsync(8) exits with a non-zero exit
status. The min_%_unchg may be a floating point value
such as 66.666.
A change is considered a host1 line that was found to
be in error, was removed, was added or was changed.
Changing the 2nd or 3rd active fields via -oak or -o aK
are not considered changes by -p.
To force actsync(8) to accept any amount of change, use
the -p 0 option. To force actsync(8) to reject any
changes, use the -p 100 option.
Care should be taken when producing active(5) formatted
output. One should check to be sure that actsync(8)
exited with a zero status prior to using such output.
Also one should realize that such output will not con-
tain lines ignored by the -i ignore_file process even
if -p 100 is used.
By default, 96% of the lines not ignored in host1 must
be unchanged. That is, by default, -p 90 is assumed.
-q hostid
By default, all newsgroup errors are reported on stan-
dard errors. This flag quiets errors from host1 or
host2. The hostid value is interpreted the same as in
-b.
-s size
If size>0, then ignore newsgroups with names longer
than size, and ignore newsgroups equivalenced to names
longer than size. Length checking is perform on both
the local and remote hosts.
By default, size is 0 and thus no length checking is
performed.
-S spool_dir
For each new newsgroup (i.e., selected groups found on
host2 that were not found on host), the newsgroup
directory under spool_dir will be examined. If this
newsgroup directory exists, then the hi & low (2nd &
3rd active fields) values of the active entry will be
changed to reflect the range articles found.
This flag is only useful with -o a, -o a1, -o ak, -o
aK, -o alk, -o alK, -o ak1 or -o aK1. The -S spool_dir
will override any hi & low (2nd & 3rd active fields)
values that would normally have been used. This is an
important and very much recommended option as it will
prevent article number collisions on newsgroups that
have been removed previous but still have unexpired
articles in them.
-t hostid
Ignore improper newsgroups with only a top component
from host1 or host2. The hostid value is interpreted
the same as in -b. The following newsgroups are con-
sidered proper newsgroups for top only names:
control
general
junk
test
to
For example, the following newsgroup names are improper
because they only contain a top level component:
dole_for_pres
dos
microsoft
windoes95
By default, all improper top level only newsgroups from
the remote ( -t 2 ) are ignored.
-T This flag causes host2 newsgroups from new hierarchies
to be ignored. Normally if only host2 has the news-
group chongo.was.here then it will be created for
host1. However if host1 does not have any 'chongo.*'
newsgroups and this flag is given, then chongo.was.here
will be ignored and will not be created on host1.
-v verbose_lvl
No default, actsync(8) is not verbose. This flag con-
trols the verbosity level as follows:
0 no debug or status reports (default)
1 print summary,
if work was needed or done
2 print actions, exec output & summary,
if work was needed or done
3 print actions, exec output & summary
4 full debug output
-z sec
If -o x is selected, actsync(8) will pause for sec
seconds before each command is executed. This helps
prevent innd(8) from being busyed-out if a large number
of ctlinnd(8) commands are needed. One can disable
this sleeping by using -z 0.
By default, actsync(8) will pause for 4 seconds before
each command is executed if -o x is selected.
EXAMPLES
Determine the difference (but don't change anything) between
your newsgroup set and uunet's set:
actsync news.uu.net
Same as above, with full debug and progress reports:
actsync -v 4 news.uu.net
Force a site to have the same newsgroups some other site:
actsync -o x master
This may be useful to sync a slave site to its master, or to
sync internal site to a gateway.
Compare your site with uunet, disregarding local groups and
certain local differences with uunet. Produce a report if
any differences were encountered:
actsync -v 2 -i actsync.ign news.uu.net
where actsync.ign contains:
# Don't compare to.* groups as they will differ.
#
i to.*
# These are our local groups that nobody else
# (should) carry. So ignore them for the sake
# of the compare.
#
i nsa.*
# These groups are local favorites, so keep them
# even if uunet does not carry them.
#
i ca.dump.bob.dorman
i ca.keep.bob.dorman
i alt.tv.dinosaurs.barney.die.die.die
i alt.tv.dinosaurs.barney.love.love.love
i alt.sounds.* =alt.binaries.sounds.*
To interactively sync against news.uu.net, using the same
ignore file:
actsync -o xi -v 2 -i actsync.ign news.uu.net
Based on newsgroups that you decided to keep, one could make
changes to the actsync.ign file:
# Don't compare to.* groups as they will differ.
#
i to.*
# These are our local groups that nobody else
# (should) carry. So ignore them for the sake
# of the compare.
#
i nsa.*
# These groups are local favorites, so keep them
# even if uunet does not carry them.
#
i ca.dump.bob.dorman
i alt.tv.dinosaurs.barney.die.die.die
i alt.sounds.* =alt.binaries.sounds.*
# Don't sync test groups, except for ones that are
# moderated or that are under the gnu hierarchy.
i *.test
c *.test m # check moderated test groups
c gnu.*.test
c gnu.test # just in case it ever exists
Automatic processing may be setup by using the following
actsync.cfg file:
# host to sync off of (host2)
host=news.uu.net
# location of the ignore file
ignore_file=/usr/local/news/actsync.ign
# where nwes articles are kept
spool=/var/spool/news
# actsync(8) flags
#
# Automatic execs, report if something was done,
# otherwise don't say anything, don't report
# uunet active file problems, just ignore
# the effect entries.
flags=-o x -v 2 -q 2
and then by running:
actsyncd /usr/local/news/actsync.cfg
One may produce a trial actsyncd(8) run without changing
anything on the server by supplying the debug_level arg:
actsyncd /usr/local/news/actsync.cfg 2
The debug_level causes actsyncd(8) to run actsync(8) with an
-v debug_level (overriding any -v flag on the flags line),
prevents any changes from being made to the active(5) file,
writes a new active file to standard output and writes debug
messages to standard error.
If the debug_outfmt arg is also given to actsyncd(8) then
the data written to standard output will be in -o
fBdebug_outfmt instead of in -o a1 format. The following
/bin/sh command:
actsyncd /usr/local/news/actsync.cfg 4 c >cmd 2>dbg
Will operate in debug mode, not change the active(5) file,
write ctlinnd(8) style commands to cmd and write debug
statements to dbg.
To check only the major hierarchies against news.uu,net, use
the following actsync.ign file:
# by default, ignore everything
i *
# check the major groups
c comp.*
c gnu.*
c sci.*
c alt.*
c misc.*
c news.*
c rec.*
c soc.*
c talk.*
and running:
actsync -i actsync.ign news.uu.net
To determine the differences between your old active and
your current default server:
actsync /usr/local/news/active.old -
To report but not fix any newsgroup problems with the
current active file:
actsync - -
To detect any newsgroup errors on your local server, and to
remove any *.bork.bork.bork style silly newsgroup names:
actsync -b 2 - -
The active file produced by:
actsync ... flags ... -o x erehwon.honey.edu
or by:
actsync ... flags ... -o c erehwon.honey.edu | sh
is effectively the same as the active file produced by:
ctlinnd pause 'running actsync'
rm -f active.new
actsync ... flags ... -o a1 erehwon.honey.edu > active.new
rm -f active.old
ln active active.old
mv active.new active
ctlinnd reload active 'running actsync'
ctlinnd go 'running actsync'
It should be noted that the above 'pause', 'actsync',
'reload' and 'go' method is faster. However, in order to
avoid article number collisions on newsgroups that have been
removed previous but still have unexpired articles in them,
it is very much recommended that the -S spool_dir be used
with any of the -oa* flags. Thus, a much better and safer
version of the above would be:
ctlinnd pause 'running actsync'
rm -f active.new
actsync ... flags ... -o a1 -S /var/spool/news erehwon.honey.edu > active.new
rm -f active.old
ln active active.old
mv active.new active
ctlinnd reload active 'running actsync'
ctlinnd go 'running actsync'
The above process is similar to what actsyncd(8) does by
default.
CAUTION
Careless use of this tool may result in the addition change
or removal of newsgroups that you don't want. You should
avoid using the x output format until you are sure it will
do what you want.
A number of innd(8) servers will corrupt the active file
when lots of newgroups and rmgroups are performed. This is
not a actsync(8) bug, it is a server bug. Using the pause,
actsync, reload and go method noted above is much more
likely to avoid this problem.
BUGS
If a newsgroup appears multiple times, actsync(8) will treat
all copies as errors. However, if the group is marked for
removal, only one rmgroup will be issued.
The timeout for ctlinnd(8) commands is fixed at 30 seconds
when running in ``x'' or ``xi'' output format. Perhaps the
timeout value should be controlled via a command line
option?
SEE ALSO
active(5),
ctlinnd(8),
getlist(8)
HISTORY
Written by Landon Curt Noll <chongo@toad.com> for InterNet-
News.
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