Updating Mail Server

I have an XServe running 10.6.6. There is a Solid State Hard Disk Drive (SSHDD) on which is installed the OS and a 1.9TB RAID 3 array on which mail, calendar, wikis and websites are stored. This server is also an OD Replica.
In the past, when updating the server, I've split the SSHDD into two partitions. I clone the boot partition, prior to the upgrade, to the other partition. I then upgrade the boot partition. If the update fails (and it HAS - TWO TIMES since 10.6.0), I can boot off the cloned partition and try the update again. (In effect I clone the GOOD partition back to the partition that had the boot OS on it where the update failed, bringing the server back to the state it was prior to the update.) Usually, the second time works.
My problem is now the SSHDD is NOT large enough to hold both partitions. And we all know what happens to a server when the OS runs out of hard drive space - it's NOT a pretty picture.
I should update to 10.7 but am in a quandary how to do this so I have a "fall-back" scenario.
I should say I have "mailbagging" set up with MXSAVE.com, so I'm not worried about losing mail.
I see two scenarios:
SCENARIO #1:
Clone the existing OS to an external drive - run the update on the server.
If the update fails, boot off the external drive, clone the SSHDD with the good OS on the external drive, boot up the server off the SSHDD and try the update again.
SCENARIO #2:
I just thought of this one...
When I realized that the partitions were getting too small I expanded the partition in Disk Utility. So now, rather than two partitions (BOOT and LKG - "Last Known Good") I only have a single boot partition.
ANYHOW, why couldn't I do that with the existing RAID array, that is repartition a chunk of the array (I'm using a PITIFULLY SMALL portion of the 1.9 TB anyhow) and drop the cloned OS to that. Then if the update fails I'd boot off the RAID array partition.
The point of this post is to ask if what I plan to do makes sense?
Thanks for any thoughts.
John

Just a follow up on this.
Today the server crashed.
When I got in this morning there was the blue screen that shows up during Post but before you get to the desktop. The server must have rebooted last night.
I had to power down the server and then restart it manually.
When the server came up the phantom drive problem resurfaced. This is a known issue with XServes using the SSHDD and not only is it not fixed, I THINK one of the recent updates may have made it worse because I was able to "fix" it in the past.
The USUAL solution was to shut down all the services that use the RAID array, dismount the Phantom Drive and then reboot. I have done that many times in the past. Unfortunately, NO DICE today. Every time I rebooted the phantom drive reappeared.
A a result of this thread, I created a "Last Known Good" partition on the RAID array. (I added a partition to the RAID and cloned the SSHDD to the new partition.) I booted off the partition on the array and the server booted up normally now everything is running well.
I'm going to make ANOTHER partition on the RAID array so I can update the server to 10.6.7. Then I think I'm going to retire the SSHDD.
So...at least I know this works.
Message was edited by: [email protected]

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Replace following with your own equivalents...
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POP: Tick: APOP
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Ensure users have mail enabled in Workgroup Manager.
There are plenty mods available beyond this. Have a good read through the mail services manual (I know its a bit confusing at times) and you should see where the above settings fit in.
Lots of stuff on the forum here which you can search for. Spam filtering in particular can be made far more effective but requires editing of the underlying unix configuration files - again, plenty of previous discussions about that on forum. Meantime, the zen.spamhaus.org RBL will filter out a great many spammers.
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# In the left-hand side, specify a bare username, an @domain.tld
# wild-card, or specify a [email protected] address.
#local_recipient_maps = unix:passwd.byname $alias_maps
local_recipient_maps = proxy:unix:passwd.byname $alias_maps
#local_recipient_maps =
# The unknown_local_recipient_reject_code specifies the SMTP server
# response code when a recipient domain matches $mydestination or
# ${proxy,inet}_interfaces, while $local_recipient_maps is non-empty
# and the recipient address or address local-part is not found.
# The default setting is 550 (reject mail) but it is safer to start
# with 450 (try again later) until you are certain that your
# local_recipient_maps settings are OK.
unknown_local_recipient_reject_code = 550
# TRUST AND RELAY CONTROL
# The mynetworks parameter specifies the list of "trusted" SMTP
# clients that have more privileges than "strangers".
# In particular, "trusted" SMTP clients are allowed to relay mail
# through Postfix. See the smtpd_recipient_restrictions parameter
# in postconf(5).
# You can specify the list of "trusted" network addresses by hand
# or you can let Postfix do it for you (which is the default).
# By default (mynetworks_style = subnet), Postfix "trusts" SMTP
# clients in the same IP subnetworks as the local machine.
# On Linux, this does works correctly only with interfaces specified
# with the "ifconfig" command.
# Specify "mynetworks_style = class" when Postfix should "trust" SMTP
# clients in the same IP class A/B/C networks as the local machine.
# Don't do this with a dialup site - it would cause Postfix to "trust"
# your entire provider's network. Instead, specify an explicit
# mynetworks list by hand, as described below.
# Specify "mynetworks_style = host" when Postfix should "trust"
# only the local machine.
#mynetworks_style = class
#mynetworks_style = subnet
#mynetworks_style = host
# Alternatively, you can specify the mynetworks list by hand, in
# which case Postfix ignores the mynetworks_style setting.
# Specify an explicit list of network/netmask patterns, where the
# mask specifies the number of bits in the network part of a host
# address.
# You can also specify the absolute pathname of a pattern file instead
# of listing the patterns here. Specify type:table for table-based lookups
# (the value on the table right-hand side is not used).
#mynetworks = 168.100.189.0/28, 127.0.0.0/8
#mynetworks = $config_directory/mynetworks
#mynetworks = hash:/etc/postfix/network_table
# The relay_domains parameter restricts what destinations this system will
# relay mail to. See the smtpd_recipient_restrictions description in
# postconf(5) for detailed information.
# By default, Postfix relays mail
# - from "trusted" clients (IP address matches $mynetworks) to any destination,
# - from "untrusted" clients to destinations that match $relay_domains or
# subdomains thereof, except addresses with sender-specified routing.
# The default relay_domains value is $mydestination.
# In addition to the above, the Postfix SMTP server by default accepts mail
# that Postfix is final destination for:
# - destinations that match $inet_interfaces or $proxy_interfaces,
# - destinations that match $mydestination
# - destinations that match $virtual_alias_domains,
# - destinations that match $virtual_mailbox_domains.
# These destinations do not need to be listed in $relay_domains.
# Specify a list of hosts or domains, /file/name patterns or type:name
# lookup tables, separated by commas and/or whitespace. Continue
# long lines by starting the next line with whitespace. A file name
# is replaced by its contents; a type:name table is matched when a
# (parent) domain appears as lookup key.
# NOTE: Postfix will not automatically forward mail for domains that
# list this system as their primary or backup MX host. See the
# permit_mx_backup restriction description in postconf(5).
#relay_domains = $mydestination
# INTERNET OR INTRANET
# The relayhost parameter specifies the default host to send mail to
# when no entry is matched in the optional transport(5) table. When
# no relayhost is given, mail is routed directly to the destination.
# On an intranet, specify the organizational domain name. If your
# internal DNS uses no MX records, specify the name of the intranet
# gateway host instead.
# In the case of SMTP, specify a domain, host, host:port, [host]:port,
# [address] or [address]:port; the form [host] turns off MX lookups.
# If you're connected via UUCP, see also the default_transport parameter.
#relayhost = $mydomain
#relayhost = [gateway.my.domain]
#relayhost = [mailserver.isp.tld]
#relayhost = uucphost
#relayhost = [an.ip.add.ress]
# REJECTING UNKNOWN RELAY USERS
# The relay_recipient_maps parameter specifies optional lookup tables
# with all addresses in the domains that match $relay_domains.
# If this parameter is defined, then the SMTP server will reject
# mail for unknown relay users. This feature is off by default.
# The right-hand side of the lookup tables is conveniently ignored.
# In the left-hand side, specify an @domain.tld wild-card, or specify
# a [email protected] address.
#relay_recipient_maps = hash:/etc/postfix/relay_recipients
# INPUT RATE CONTROL
# The in_flow_delay configuration parameter implements mail input
# flow control. This feature is turned on by default, although it
# still needs further development (it's disabled on SCO UNIX due
# to an SCO bug).
# A Postfix process will pause for $in_flow_delay seconds before
# accepting a new message, when the message arrival rate exceeds the
# message delivery rate. With the default 100 SMTP server process
# limit, this limits the mail inflow to 100 messages a second more
# than the number of messages delivered per second.
# Specify 0 to disable the feature. Valid delays are 0..10.
#in_flow_delay = 1s
# ADDRESS REWRITING
# The ADDRESS_REWRITING_README document gives information about
# address masquerading or other forms of address rewriting including
# username->Firstname.Lastname mapping.
# ADDRESS REDIRECTION (VIRTUAL DOMAIN)
# The VIRTUAL_README document gives information about the many forms
# of domain hosting that Postfix supports.
# "USER HAS MOVED" BOUNCE MESSAGES
# See the discussion in the ADDRESS_REWRITING_README document.
# TRANSPORT MAP
# See the discussion in the ADDRESS_REWRITING_README document.
# ALIAS DATABASE
# The alias_maps parameter specifies the list of alias databases used
# by the local delivery agent. The default list is system dependent.
# On systems with NIS, the default is to search the local alias
# database, then the NIS alias database. See aliases(5) for syntax
# details.
# If you change the alias database, run "postalias /etc/aliases" (or
# wherever your system stores the mail alias file), or simply run
# "newaliases" to build the necessary DBM or DB file.
# It will take a minute or so before changes become visible. Use
# "postfix reload" to eliminate the delay.
#alias_maps = dbm:/etc/aliases
#alias_maps = hash:/etc/aliases
#alias_maps = hash:/etc/aliases, nis:mail.aliases
#alias_maps = netinfo:/aliases
# The alias_database parameter specifies the alias database(s) that
# are built with "newaliases" or "sendmail -bi". This is a separate
# configuration parameter, because alias_maps (see above) may specify
# tables that are not necessarily all under control by Postfix.
#alias_database = dbm:/etc/aliases
#alias_database = dbm:/etc/mail/aliases
#alias_database = hash:/etc/aliases
#alias_database = hash:/etc/aliases, hash:/opt/majordomo/aliases
# ADDRESS EXTENSIONS (e.g., user+foo)
# The recipient_delimiter parameter specifies the separator between
# user names and address extensions (user+foo). See canonical(5),
# local(8), relocated(5) and virtual(5) for the effects this has on
# aliases, canonical, virtual, relocated and .forward file lookups.
# Basically, the software tries user+foo and .forward+foo before
# trying user and .forward.
#recipient_delimiter = +
# DELIVERY TO MAILBOX
# The home_mailbox parameter specifies the optional pathname of a
# mailbox file relative to a user's home directory. The default
# mailbox file is /var/spool/mail/user or /var/mail/user. Specify
# "Maildir/" for qmail-style delivery (the / is required).
#home_mailbox = Mailbox
#home_mailbox = Maildir/
# The mail_spool_directory parameter specifies the directory where
# UNIX-style mailboxes are kept. The default setting depends on the
# system type.
#mail_spool_directory = /var/mail
#mail_spool_directory = /var/spool/mail
# The mailbox_command parameter specifies the optional external
# command to use instead of mailbox delivery. The command is run as
# the recipient with proper HOME, SHELL and LOGNAME environment settings.
# Exception: delivery for root is done as $default_user.
# Other environment variables of interest: USER (recipient username),
# EXTENSION (address extension), DOMAIN (domain part of address),
# and LOCAL (the address localpart).
# Unlike other Postfix configuration parameters, the mailbox_command
# parameter is not subjected to $parameter substitutions. This is to
# make it easier to specify shell syntax (see example below).
# Avoid shell meta characters because they will force Postfix to run
# an expensive shell process. Procmail alone is expensive enough.
# IF YOU USE THIS TO DELIVER MAIL SYSTEM-WIDE, YOU MUST SET UP AN
# ALIAS THAT FORWARDS MAIL FOR ROOT TO A REAL USER.
#mailbox_command = /some/where/procmail
#mailbox_command = /some/where/procmail -a "$EXTENSION"
# The mailbox_transport specifies the optional transport in master.cf
# to use after processing aliases and .forward files. This parameter
# has precedence over the mailbox_command, fallback_transport and
# luser_relay parameters.
# Specify a string of the form transport:nexthop, where transport is
# the name of a mail delivery transport defined in master.cf. The
# :nexthop part is optional. For more details see the sample transport
# configuration file.
# NOTE: if you use this feature for accounts not in the UNIX password
# file, then you must update the "local_recipient_maps" setting in
# the main.cf file, otherwise the SMTP server will reject mail for
# non-UNIX accounts with "User unknown in local recipient table".
#mailbox_transport = lmtp:unix:/file/name
#mailbox_transport = cyrus
# The fallback_transport specifies the optional transport in master.cf
# to use for recipients that are not found in the UNIX passwd database.
# This parameter has precedence over the luser_relay parameter.
# Specify a string of the form transport:nexthop, where transport is
# the name of a mail delivery transport defined in master.cf. The
# :nexthop part is optional. For more details see the sample transport
# configuration file.
# NOTE: if you use this feature for accounts not in the UNIX password
# file, then you must update the "local_recipient_maps" setting in
# the main.cf file, otherwise the SMTP server will reject mail for
# non-UNIX accounts with "User unknown in local recipient table".
#fallback_transport = lmtp:unix:/file/name
#fallback_transport = cyrus
#fallback_transport =
# The luser_relay parameter specifies an optional destination address
# for unknown recipients. By default, mail for unknown@$mydestination,
# unknown@[$inet_interfaces] or unknown@[$proxy_interfaces] is returned
# as undeliverable.
# The following expansions are done on luser_relay: $user (recipient
# username), $shell (recipient shell), $home (recipient home directory),
# $recipient (full recipient address), $extension (recipient address
# extension), $domain (recipient domain), $local (entire recipient
# localpart), $recipient_delimiter. Specify ${name?value} or
# ${name:value} to expand value only when $name does (does not) exist.
# luser_relay works only for the default Postfix local delivery agent.
# NOTE: if you use this feature for accounts not in the UNIX password
# file, then you must specify "local_recipient_maps =" (i.e. empty) in
# the main.cf file, otherwise the SMTP server will reject mail for
# non-UNIX accounts with "User unknown in local recipient table".
#luser_relay = [email protected]
#luser_relay = [email protected]
#luser_relay = admin+$local
# JUNK MAIL CONTROLS
# The controls listed here are only a very small subset. The file
# SMTPD_ACCESS_README provides an overview.
# The header_checks parameter specifies an optional table with patterns
# that each logical message header is matched against, including
# headers that span multiple physical lines.
# By default, these patterns also apply to MIME headers and to the
# headers of attached messages. With older Postfix versions, MIME and
# attached message headers were treated as body text.
# For details, see "man header_checks".
#header_checks = regexp:/etc/postfix/header_checks
# FAST ETRN SERVICE
# Postfix maintains per-destination logfiles with information about
# deferred mail, so that mail can be flushed quickly with the SMTP
# "ETRN domain.tld" command, or by executing "sendmail -qRdomain.tld".
# See the ETRN_README document for a detailed description.
# The fast_flush_domains parameter controls what destinations are
# eligible for this service. By default, they are all domains that
# this server is willing to relay mail to.
#fast_flush_domains = $relay_domains
# SHOW SOFTWARE VERSION OR NOT
# The smtpd_banner parameter specifies the text that follows the 220
# code in the SMTP server's greeting banner. Some people like to see
# the mail version advertised. By default, Postfix shows no version.
# You MUST specify $myhostname at the start of the text. That is an
# RFC requirement. Postfix itself does not care.
#smtpd_banner = $myhostname ESMTP $mail_name
#smtpd_banner = $myhostname ESMTP $mail_name ($mail_version)
# PARALLEL DELIVERY TO THE SAME DESTINATION
# How many parallel deliveries to the same user or domain? With local
# delivery, it does not make sense to do massively parallel delivery
# to the same user, because mailbox updates must happen sequentially,
# and expensive pipelines in .forward files can cause disasters when
# too many are run at the same time. With SMTP deliveries, 10
# simultaneous connections to the same domain could be sufficient to
# raise eyebrows.
# Each message delivery transport has its XXX_destination_concurrency_limit
# parameter. The default is $default_destination_concurrency_limit for
# most delivery transports. For the local delivery agent the default is 2.
#local_destination_concurrency_limit = 2
#default_destination_concurrency_limit = 20
# DEBUGGING CONTROL
# The debug_peer_level parameter specifies the increment in verbose
# logging level when an SMTP client or server host name or address
# matches a pattern in the debug_peer_list parameter.
debug_peer_level = 2
# The debug_peer_list parameter specifies an optional list of domain
# or network patterns, /file/name patterns or type:name tables. When
# an SMTP client or server host name or address matches a pattern,
# increase the verbose logging level by the amount specified in the
# debug_peer_level parameter.
#debug_peer_list = 127.0.0.1
#debug_peer_list = some.domain
# The debugger_command specifies the external command that is executed
# when a Postfix daemon program is run with the -D option.
# Use "command .. & sleep 5" so that the debugger can attach before
# the process marches on. If you use an X-based debugger, be sure to
# set up your XAUTHORITY environment variable before starting Postfix.
debugger_command =
PATH=/bin:/usr/bin:/usr/local/bin:/usr/X11R6/bin
xxgdb $daemon_directory/$process_name $process_id & sleep 5
# If you can't use X, use this to capture the call stack when a
# daemon crashes. The result is in a file in the configuration
# directory, and is named after the process name and the process ID.
# debugger_command =
# PATH=/bin:/usr/bin:/usr/local/bin; export PATH; (echo cont;
# echo where) | gdb $daemon_directory/$process_name $process_id 2>&1
# >$config_directory/$process_name.$process_id.log & sleep 5
# Another possibility is to run gdb under a detached screen session.
# To attach to the screen sesssion, su root and run "screen -r
# <id_string>" where <id_string> uniquely matches one of the detached
# sessions (from "screen -list").
# debugger_command =
# PATH=/bin:/usr/bin:/sbin:/usr/sbin; export PATH; screen
# -dmS $process_name gdb $daemon_directory/$process_name
# $process_id & sleep 1
# INSTALL-TIME CONFIGURATION INFORMATION
# The following parameters are used when installing a new Postfix version.
# sendmail_path: The full pathname of the Postfix sendmail command.
# This is the Sendmail-compatible mail posting interface.
sendmail_path = /usr/sbin/sendmail
# newaliases_path: The full pathname of the Postfix newaliases command.
# This is the Sendmail-compatible command to build alias databases.
newaliases_path = /usr/bin/newaliases
# mailq_path: The full pathname of the Postfix mailq command. This
# is the Sendmail-compatible mail queue listing command.
mailq_path = /usr/bin/mailq
# setgid_group: The group for mail submission and queue management
# commands. This must be a group name with a numerical group ID that
# is not shared with other accounts, not even with the Postfix account.
setgid_group = _postdrop
# html_directory: The location of the Postfix HTML documentation.
html_directory = no
# manpage_directory: The location of the Postfix on-line manual pages.
manpage_directory = /usr/share/man
# sample_directory: The location of the Postfix sample configuration files.
# This parameter is obsolete as of Postfix 2.1.
sample_directory = /usr/share/doc/postfix/examples
# readme_directory: The location of the Postfix README files.
readme_directory = /usr/share/doc/postfix
mydomain_fallback = localhost
message_size_limit = 52428800
myhostname = mail1.stanwood.wednet.edu
mailbox_transport = cyrus
mydomain = stanwood.wednet.edu
mailbox_size_limit = 0
enable_server_options = yes
inet_interfaces = all
mynetworks = 127.0.0.0/8,172.16.0.0/17,169.204.240.0/25,172.29.1.22,169.204.240.2
smtpd_use_tls = yes
smtpd_enforce_tls = no
smtpd_tls_cert_file = /etc/certificates/mail1.stanwood.wednet.edu.crt
smtpd_tls_key_file = /etc/certificates/mail1.stanwood.wednet.edu.key
smtpd_sasl_auth_enable = yes
smtpd_use_pw_server = yes
smtpd_recipient_restrictions = permit_sasl_authenticated,permit_mynetworks,reject_unauth_destination,permit
smtpd_pw_server_security_options = gssapi,cram-md5,login,plain
content_filter = smtp-amavis:[127.0.0.1]:10024
mydestination = $myhostname,localhost.$mydomain,localhost,mail1.stanwood.wednet.edu,stanwood.we dnet.edu
owner_request_special = no
recipient_delimiter = +
alias_maps = hash:/etc/aliases,hash:/var/mailman/data/aliases
# 02/02/09 Server Checkup by Alex
bounce_queue_lifetime = 6h
delay_warning_time = 6h
maximal_queue_lifetime = 2d
# Topicdesk Frontline Defense
disable_vrfy_command = yes
smtpd_client_restrictions = permit_sasl_authenticated, permit_mynetworks, reject_rbl_client zen.spamhaus.org, permit
smtpd_helo_required = yes
smtpd_helo_restrictions = permit_sasl_authenticated, permit_mynetworks, check_helo_access hash:/etc/postfix/helo_access, reject_non_fqdn_hostname,reject_invalid_hostname, permit
smtpd_sender_restrictions = permit_sasl_authenticated, permit_mynetworks, reject_non_fqdn_sender, permit
smtpd_recipient_restrictions = permit_sasl_authenticated,permit_mynetworks,reject_unauth_destination,permit
smtpd_data_restrictions = permit_mynetworks, reject_unauth_pipelining, permit
virtual_transport = virtual
virtual_mailbox_domains =
sh-3.2#

Right, what was happening is that it was a big loop. We had to modify our DNS and some other settings on the spam bucket... but... wondering if there's another solution...
mail1:~ admin$ postconf -n
alias_maps = hash:/etc/aliases,hash:/var/mailman/data/aliases
bouncequeuelifetime = 6h
command_directory = /usr/sbin
config_directory = /etc/postfix
content_filter = smtp-amavis:[127.0.0.1]:10024
daemon_directory = /usr/libexec/postfix
debugpeerlevel = 2
delaywarningtime = 6h
disablevrfycommand = yes
enableserveroptions = yes
html_directory = no
inet_interfaces = all
localrecipientmaps = proxy:unix:passwd.byname $alias_maps
mail_owner = _postfix
mailboxsizelimit = 0
mailbox_transport = cyrus
mailq_path = /usr/bin/mailq
manpage_directory = /usr/share/man
maximalqueuelifetime = 2d
messagesizelimit = 52428800
mydestination = $myhostname,localhost.$mydomain,localhost,mail1.stanwood.wednet.edu,stanwood.we dnet.edu
mydomain = stanwood.wednet.edu
mydomain_fallback = localhost
myhostname = mail1.stanwood.wednet.edu
mynetworks = 127.0.0.0/8,172.16.0.0/17,169.204.240.0/25,172.29.1.22,169.204.240.2
newaliases_path = /usr/bin/newaliases
ownerrequestspecial = no
queue_directory = /private/var/spool/postfix
readme_directory = /usr/share/doc/postfix
recipient_delimiter = +
sample_directory = /usr/share/doc/postfix/examples
sendmail_path = /usr/sbin/sendmail
setgid_group = _postdrop
smtpdclientrestrictions = permitsaslauthenticated, permit_mynetworks, rejectrblclient zen.spamhaus.org, permit
smtpddatarestrictions = permit_mynetworks, rejectunauthpipelining, permit
smtpdenforcetls = no
smtpdhelorequired = yes
smtpdhelorestrictions = permitsaslauthenticated, permit_mynetworks, checkheloaccess hash:/etc/postfix/helo_access, rejectnon_fqdn_hostname,reject_invalidhostname, permit
smtpdpw_server_securityoptions = gssapi,cram-md5,login,plain
smtpdrecipientrestrictions = permitsasl_authenticated,permit_mynetworks,reject_unauthdestination,permit
smtpdsasl_authenable = yes
smtpdsenderrestrictions = permitsaslauthenticated, permit_mynetworks, rejectnon_fqdnsender, permit
smtpdtls_certfile = /etc/certificates/mail1.stanwood.wednet.edu.crt
smtpdtls_keyfile = /etc/certificates/mail1.stanwood.wednet.edu.key
smtpduse_pwserver = yes
smtpdusetls = yes
unknownlocal_recipient_rejectcode = 550
virtualmailboxdomains =
virtual_transport = virtual
mail1:~ admin$

TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS RE: iCLOUD MAIL SERVER DROPOUT

Here's what I learned throughout this and I will post a discussion in a separate thread for the rest of the folk out there.
MYTHS AND FACTS RE: iCLOUD MAIL SERVER DROPOUT- WHAT I'VE LEARNED
Hopefully this troubleshooting helps everyone that has had or having issues, for now and for the future...
Firstly, the Apple system status is a bit of a myth. Because it is a global community of people using iCloud, it does not always update in real time. The Apple techs check this when there is issues, as do the public, so odds are unless every single person is having issues around the globe, then it won't reflect an issue. http://www.apple.com/au/support/systemstatus/
Apple technicians work in territories. For example, I live in Australia so I had to deal with a tech supervisor who looks after Australasia and who is based in Singapore. They don't get a notification if a group of people in Canada are having problems, even if they are identical to mine, unless as above, the whole world is having issues.
CHECK THESE FORUMS as a first step measure to work out if the problem seems to be just you and your account, or a wider community. Particularly before you make any major change to your email accounts, passwords, computers or phones.
If you get an issue in the next week or so (and keep in mind for the future) Error Message: "MY NAME" returned the error "[AUTHENTICATIONFAILED] Authentication failed." Your username/password or security settings may be incorrect. Would you like to try re-entering your password?" and this happens multiple times when you know the password is correct, then odds are that the server is down and you are best to wait it out. Try checking your mail via iCloud to test. If you can send it through there, odds are that the glitch has nothing to do with your password or issues with your account and rather than make changes, try and wait it out.
If all of your folders in your email disappear, if they are IMAP folders, then log into iCloud mail in your web browser to check that they are still there. It just means that your mail client (Mac Mail, Outlook for Mac etc) can't access the IMAP folders via the server. Don't panic until they are gone from every device you use your email on.
Be wary of deleting ANYTHING from your computer unless you are backing it up first. For example, I had a tech guy on the first day of the server drop out, who gave me the wrong advice of deleting EVERYTHING from my keychain. This resulted in me having massive security issues for web browsers and thus, I couldn't log into my iCloud mail in my browser. Not only did I have to re-install my OS Maverick to fix it (which took 10 hours) but I could have muddled through this mess by continuing to work using web mail.
If everyone seems to be having a mail server problem based on online community discussions, then you are not alone and TELL your Apple tech this. Send copies of the links to the various conversations. Push them (nicely) to investigate internally what is going on and don't let them rely on the System support status. It also helps to put in a report to Apple down the track.
Make sure that you can get a copy of Apple tech guys email address. Thankfully, even though I was on the phone to them for in excess of 7 hours over the past two days, I could update my guy via email and also send him screen shots of things that did or didn't work using my iPhone. We would keep in contact and all I would have to do is send him an email and he would call me back straight away. No holding or dealing with any call centre issues, which is probably the only reason why I didn't lose my cool too much.
If you can get into your iCloud through your web browser, you have the options under the inbox and then the little wheel thing down the bottom (preferences) to put a vacation message, like an out of office. Put that on and explain you are having email issues and give another email address or your contact number. At least the people that you need to contact will know that things could get lost in cyberspace. I wish I had of known this earlier.
You can also forward emails emails to another email address under preferences. Also very handy.
Become friends with your tech guy rather than enemies. If you don't feel like your tech guy knows what he's talking about, politely request to speak to a supervisor. I would be having a nervous breakdown right now (small business owner, lost two days of billable hours so I am financially behind) if I didn't have a good relationship with the guy that has been helping me. We are a good team, with me updating him with the information, via these forums, to find a proper solution to the issue and to rectify the wrong information I was given by the previous Apple tech guy I spoke to.
Ask them to replicate your issue on their side of the fence to troubleshoot. For example, my tech guy Levi replicated my issue with websites by intentially removing the system certificate from his computer and he realised that was what the problem was, and thus he could quickly find out how to fix it.
Back up your stuff regularly. It might be annoying but it is peace of mind if know you are only going to lose a minimum of a week's worth of stuff.
Apple has an engineering team and tech guys raise 'tickets' to them with information on what has happened to their clients. I don't know much about this but I would assume it is having the engineering team investigate to stop this happening in future. They can only work with the feedback they get I suppose. I would also suggest doing the Apple Care survey so they also get feedback. We need to explain to them that we are asking for communication first and foremost - whilst it is inconvenient, if we all knew when and where they would be doing server upgrades (which the rumours indicate that this is what happened) then I don't feel everyone would be so frustrated.
Using your computer is like raising a child - you know when something is not right, even if you are not experienced at it yet. Sure, you may not know the lingo but trust your instincts and tell your tech guy. I have learned more in the past two days about computers and Mac's than ever before and I know when I can confidentially say that strange things were happening to my Mac and where Apple went wrong in guiding me. Don't always take a blanket or easy explanation if you don't think it is right; odds are it will result in making changes to your product that do more harm than good.
Keep a record of notes of how much time you have spent on the issue (including phone calls to Apple), what they have told you to do and at what time, changes to passwords, troubleshooting tips and the contact details (and reference numbers) of who you speak to. I'm not sure if Apple provides compensation for these issues or anything along these lines, but I certainly will be informing them so they can try and better their service to me in the future.
Anyway, I hope that helps everyone a bit - these are just things that I have learned and if anyone else has any tips please feel free to add them.

Tried port 465 but it wouldn't work.
Went to our help desk and here's the reply I got (paraphrased slightly cuz the person at the help desk was trying hard to be helpful and I don't want to get him/her in trouble):
I presented this question to the university team and then waited for a long time to get the following reply:
we do not allow relay from non-university IP addresses.
port 25 for smtp is a standard worldwide.
For the most part, that went right over my head and didn’t answer anything, but I hope it means something to you.
I called him to get more clarification, but all I really got out of it was that, if you don’t use exchange which is secure via port 443, then your other option is to use smtp. And then he said something about how relay, iron ports, and authenticated accounts work together to make it secure. I know it makes me sound a lot more inept than I am, but all that made little sense to me. What I gather, is… that by selecting SSL when configuring your client, it makes it so that your login info and mail content is safe. Sorry, I can’t provide a more cohesive and comprehensive explanation, but I think the bottom line is that they have combined a non-secure protocol with other stuff to make it secure.
So, I'm hoping that checking SSL and using port 25 somehow solves the problem to the satisfaction of our IT professionals at the University ...
Again, thanks for taking the time to educate the rest of us!

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