Created attachment 360666 [details] proposed patch, which clarify the purpose of aliases Description of problem: The manual page nsswitch.conf(5) contains the following about aliases: ======== snip from nsswitch.conf(8) ======== aliases Mail aliases, used by sendmail(8). Presently ignored. ======== end of snip ======== which is somewhat confusing.. as it could be understood as the file /etc/aliases isn't used/work at all, but it isn't true. It is used e.g. by Postfix. Moreover, the statement: `Presently ignored.' relates to Sendmail itself as Sendmail on Linux doesn't support `/etc/nsswitch.conf', thus doesn't use the file `/etc/aliases' at all: https://bugzilla.redhat.com/show_bug.cgi?id=512871 Version-Release number of selected component (if applicable): RHEL5 Additional info: I have attached a patch with proposed changes: aliases Mail aliases, provides a system-wide mechanism to redirect mail for local recipients. Used by mail transfer agents such as Postfix or sendmail(8). Note: On Linux, not like on other Unices, Sendmail uses its own aliases resolution system independent on /etc/nsswitch.conf, thus not using /etc/aliases file.
I think the ", thus not using /etc/aliases file" shouldn't be in the description. Both postfix and sendmail do use /etc/aliases, just not through nsswitch.
Also, "Presently ignored." should probably stay there to make it clear that glibc doesn't support the aliases database.
Created attachment 361206 [details] proposed patch II This is the patch which results from your comments, are you ok with it or have you some other comment?
An advisory has been issued which should help the problem described in this bug report. This report is therefore being closed with a resolution of ERRATA. For more information on therefore solution and/or where to find the updated files, please follow the link below. You may reopen this bug report if the solution does not work for you. http://rhn.redhat.com/errata/RHBA-2009-1574.html