5.2 Modem Link through the Async Gateway in Remote Mode

This message flow diagram illustrates how a GroupWise user in Remote mode can access the master GroupWise system through the GroupWise Async Gateway.

Figure 5-2 Message Flow Through a Modem

Table 5-2 Message Flow Through a Modem Stages

Stage

Icon

Description

Remote User

The GroupWise user, who is working in Remote mode, sends a message to another GroupWise user or creates a request for items from the master mailbox. The remote user’s computer is not currently connected to the network or the user’s master GroupWise system.

GroupWise Client in Remote Mode

When the remote GroupWise user sends a message to another GroupWise user, the GroupWise client performs the following actions in the user’s Remote mailbox:

  • Adds the message to the message database (msg.db) on the user’s remote computer.

  • Creates a pointer in the user database (user.db) so the message appears as a sent item in the Remote mailbox on the user’s remote computer.

  • Places attachments larger than 2 KB in the rofdata directory and creates pointers from the message to its attachments on the user’s remote computer. (For database efficiency, messages and distribution lists larger than 2 KB are also handled as attachments.)

  • Creates a copy of the message in the wpcsin\1 subdirectory of the GroupWise client’s remote input queue on the user’s remote computer.

When the remote GroupWise user sends a request for items from the master mailbox to be downloaded to the Remote mailbox, the GroupWise client places the request in the wpcsin\1 subdirectory of the GroupWise client’s remote input queue on the user’s remote computer.

GroupWise Client in Remote Mode

When the remote GroupWise user initiates the modem connection, the GroupWise client polls its input queue (wpcsin\1) and compresses the outgoing messages and/or requests into a file. If the compressed file totals over 50 KB, additional compressed files are created.

The GroupWise client moves the compressed message/request files into its output queue (wpgwsend) directory.

: GroupWise Client with Modem Connection

The GroupWise client dials in to the gateway, logs in, then transmits the compressed message/request files across the modem connection to the GroupWise Async Gateway in the GroupWise system where the user’s master mailbox is located.

Async Gateway

The GroupWise Async Gateway receives the message/request files and places them into it input queue (wpgate\async\asyxxx\gwin\connection_id\cmp) for processing.

Async Gateway

The Async Gateway decompresses the message/request files and moves them into the subdirectory for the remote user’s connection with the master GroupWise system.

Async Gateway

WIth a TCP/IP link, the Async Gateway transfers the decompressed files to the MTA for the remote user’s domain in the master GroupWise system.

With a UNC/mapped link, the Async Gateway places the message/request files into the MTA’s input queue (wpgate\async\wpcsin\1), where the MTA picks up the files.

MTA for Remote User’s Domain

The MTA for the remote user’s domain receives the message/request files and places them into the MTA “in progress” (gwinprog) queue.

MTA for Remote User’s Domain

The MTA for the remote user’s domain then communicates the message/request files to the POA for the post office where the remote user’s master mailbox is located.

NOTE:This message flow diagram illustrates only the simplest case where the recipient is in the same post office as the remote user’s master mailbox. If the remote user sends a message to a user in any other post office, the MTA routes the message to the appropriate destination.

POA for Remote User’s Post Office

When the POA receives a message from the remote user, the POA performs the following actions to update the remote user’s master mailbox:

  • Adds the message to the remote user’s message database (msgnnn.db) in the Online mailbox.

  • Creates a pointer in the recipient’s user database (userxxx.db) in the Online mailbox so that the new message appears in the recipient’s mailbox and updates the notification information in the user database so the recipient can be notified of the message.

  • Places attachments larger than 2 KB in one of the post_office\offiles\fd0-F6 subdirectories in the remote user’s post office and creates pointers from the message to its attachments. (For database efficiency, messages and distribution lists larger than 2 KB are also handled as attachments.)

  • Creates a Delivered status message in the priority 1 subdirectory of the remote user’s MTA input queue (wpcsin) in the post office.

When the POA receives a request for items from the remote user’s master mailbox, the POA performs the following actions:

  • Gathers the requested items from the remote user’s master mailbox (msgnnn.db).

  • Gathers any attachments for requested items from the post_office\offiles\fd0-F6 subdirectory in the remote user’s post office.

  • Compiles the information into a response file and places it in the priority 1 subdirectory of the MTA input queue for return to the remote user.

POA for Remote User’s Post Office

The POA for the remote user’s post office communicates the Delivered status for messages and the response file for requests to the MTA for the remote user’s domain. When the transfer is successful, the copies in the MTA input queue are deleted.

MTA in Remote User’s Domain

The MTA for the remote user’s domain places the status/response files into the MTA “in progress” (gwinprog) queue.

MTA in Remote User’s Domain

With a TCP/IP link, the MTA for the remote user’s domain communicates the status/response files to the Async Gateway in the remote user’s domain.

With a UNC/mapped link, the MTA for the remote user’s domain places the status/response files into the Async Gateway’s input queue (wpgate\async\asyxxx\wpcsout\1), where the Async Gateway picks up the files.

When the MTA in the GroupWise Remote user’s domain detects the response for the GroupWise Remote user, the MTA picks it up from its post office input queue and transfers it to its output queue in the Async Gateway directory under wpgate in the GroupWise Remote user’s domain. The MTA output queue in the Async Gateway directory is the input queue for the Async Gateway.

Async Gateway

The Async Gateway places the status/response files into the MTA output queue (wpgate\async\wpcsout\asyxxx\connection_id\1) of the Async Gateway directory.

Async Gateway

If the modem connection to the remote user is still active, the Async Gateway compresses the status/response files and moves them to the cmp directory.

If the modem connection is no longer available, the status/response files wait in the connection_id\1 subdirectory until a new connection is established by the remote user.

Async Gateway with Modem Connection

The Async Gateway transmits the status/response files through the modem connection to the input queue (wpgwrecv) for the GroupWise client on the user’s remote computer.

GroupWise Client in Remote Mode

The GroupWise client on the remote computer decompresses the status/response files and places them in its input queue (wpcsout\ofs\1) on the user’s remote computer.

GroupWise Client in Remote Mode

Taking the items from its input queue, the GroupWise client performs the following actions to update the Remote mailbox on the user’s remote computer:

  • Updates the message database (msg.db) with any items requested from the remote user’s master mailbox.

  • Creates pointers in the user database (user.db) so the messages gathered from the master mailbox appear in the Remote mailbox.

  • Places any requested attachments larger than 2 KB in the rofdata directory and creates pointers from the message to its attachments. (For database efficiency, messages and distribution lists larger than 2 KB are also handled as attachments.)

  • Updates the remote Address Book (wprof.db) to synchronize it with the Address Book in the remote user’s master GroupWise system.

The user’s Remote mailbox now contains current copies of requested items from the remote user’s master mailbox, plus any messages received in the user’s master mailbox from other GroupWise users.

Remote User

The GroupWise user can now review current GroupWise mail when the modem connection to the master GroupWise system is no longer available.