MOD-ACTIVE(8)

NAME
mod-active - batch processing of ctlinnd newgroup/rmgroup/changegroup

SYNOPSIS
mod-active [ ctlinnd_command_file ]

DESCRIPTION
mod-active is a perl script that updates the active file based on its input lines of ctlinnd newgroup, rmgroup and changegroup commands. It pauses the server briefly while the existing active file is read and rewritten, which not only keeps innd from updating the active file but also locks against other instances of mod-active.

The input to mod-active can come either from one or more files named on the command line, or from the standard input. Typically its input is the output from the docheckgroups or actsync commands. Every line which contains the string "ctlinnd newgroup", "ctlinnd rmgroup", or "ctlinnd changegroup", optionally preceded by whitespace and/or the path to ctlinnd, is noted for the update. Redundant commands, such as a newgroup directive for a group that already exists, are silently ignored. All other lines in the input are also silently ignored.

After the new active file has been generated, the existing one is renamed to active.old and the new one is moved into place. The script then displays the differences between the two files.

Any groups that were added to the active file are also added to the active.times file with the string "checkgroups-update".

BUGS
Though innd is paused while mod-active works, it is not inconceivable that there could be a conflict if something else tries to update the active file during the relatively short time that mod-active is working. The two most realistic ways I can think of for this to happen are either by an administrator concurrently doing a manual ctlinnd command, or by innd receiving a control message, then mod-active pausing the server, then the control message handler script that innd forked running its own ctlinnd command while mod-active is working. I've been using mod-active regularly for several years, though, and never had either problem.

HISTORY
Written by David C Lawrence <tale@isc.org>.

SEE ALSO
active(5), active.times(5), actsync(8), ctlinnd(8), innd(8).