expand_alias(1)

NAME

expand_alias − Recursively expands the sendmail aliases

SYNOPSIS

expand_alias [-r max_recursion] [-t] [-tt] alias

DESCRIPTION

Expand_alias is a shell script that recursively expands the sendmail aliases. Through use of telnet host 25 and the expn command, each alias is recursively expanded into its destination(s). Indentation is used to show each level of recursion. Because of the recursive use of telnet, expand_alias is slow. If the local telnet cannot directly connect to a remote system, due to a firewall configuration, expand_alias will not be able to succeed. If the local telnet is to transparently connect across the firewall, expand_alias will be able to contact sendmail daemons outside the firewall, allowing the alias to be more fully expanded. (For example, some local telnet clients use a socksd located on the firewall to permit the local telnet client to transparently connect to Internet hosts. If the local default telnet uses a socksd in such a manner, expand_alias will use that telnet functionality to more fully expand an alias.)

max_recursion defaults to 10. After max_recursion expansions, no further expansion is attempted.

If −t is specified, only the terminal aliases will be displayed.

−tt is similar to −t except that if a terminal line has a pipe, its printing is suppressed and the previous level of expansion is printed instead.

EXAMPLES

expand_alias root

expand_alias root@cat

expand_alias root@cat.cup.hp.com

expand_alias root@cup.hp.com

AUTHOR

expand_alias was developed by the Hewlett-Packard Company.