Re: [exim] Failed to get write lock

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Author: Marc Perkel
Date:  
To: exim-users
Subject: Re: [exim] Failed to get write lock


On 8/25/2010 9:57 AM, Dave Evans wrote:
> On Wed, Aug 25, 2010 at 08:31:11AM -0700, Marc Perkel wrote:
>>    Trying to figure out what causes this?

>>
>> 2010-08-25 07:44:14 Failed to get write lock for
>> /var/spool/exim/db/ratelimit.lockfile: timed out
>>
>> And how I can detect and avoid it in the future.
> You already did detect it, by seeing the message in the log.
>
> You avoid it primarily by ensuring the db file in question is on a fast
> filesystem (e.g. ram disk - see the warning in the "Using rate limiting"
> section of the spec), and/or reducing the use of that db file (e.g. using
> fewer ratelimit tests in your config, or sharing your load across more Exim
> instances).
>
> Just out of interest, do you use a built-from-source exim, and if so, what do
> you have EXIMDB_LOCK_TIMEOUT set to?
>


I'll have to look that up. What should it be set to?

I am running it out of ram disk but it is a very busy server. In fact I
have the queue running out of ram disk as well. The server processes
millions of emails a day. Typically runs 500-800 concurrent connections.
I'm wondering if this might be a bug in Exim where some better lockup
detection code need to be added?