Managing alias files and maps

Alias files can be used by the mail system and edited by the Mail Manager. NIS maps can be used by the mail system (as configured by the Mail Manager), but cannot be modified by the MM. That is, only alias files can be modified.

Aliasing can be used to handle several complex delivery problems:

• delivering mail to a single user under a variety of usernames and allowing mail that is sent to one address to be redirected to another address

• distributing a mail message to many users by specifying only a single recipient name

• appending mail to files for archival and other purposes

• filtering mail through programs and shell scripts