---
name: "ovdb_server"
section: "8"
platform: "linux"
package: "inn"
version: "2.7.4-4"
release: "Arch Linux 2026-11-01"
platforms: ["linux"]
url: "https://new.carta.tech/ovdb_server"
---

# ovdb\_server(8)

Overview helper server for nnrpd

## NAME

ovdb\_server - Overview helper server for nnrpd

## SYNOPSIS

Use **ovdb\_init** to start **ovdb\_server**

## DESCRIPTION

If the *readserver* parameter in *ovdb.conf* is true, **ovdb\_init** (if not invoked with the **-r** flag) will start as many **ovdb\_server** processes as the *numrsprocs* parameter states.

**ovdb\_server** opens the overview database, and accesses it on behalf of the **nnrpd** reader processes.

To shut down **ovdb\_server**, send a TERM signal to the process ID mentioned in *ovdb\_server.pid* in *pathrun* (note that the **rc.news** script already does that if used to shut down INN).  The parent process will shut down its children and wait for their exit before exiting itself.

## HISTORY

Written by Heath Kehoe \<hakehoe@avalon.net\> for InterNetNews.

## SEE ALSO

[ovdb(5)](/ovdb/5.md), [ovdb\_init(8)](/ovdb_init/8.md), [rc.news(8)](/rc.news/8.md).