==== Required information ====
- iRedMail version (check /etc/iredmail-release):
- Linux/BSD distribution name and version:
- Store mail accounts in which backend (LDAP/MySQL/PGSQL):
- Web server (Apache or Nginx):
- Manage mail accounts with iRedAdmin-Pro?
- [IMPORTANT] Related original log or error message is required if you're experiencing an issue.
======== Required information ====
- iRedMail version (check /etc/iredmail-release):
- Linux/BSD distribution name and version:
- Store mail accounts in which backend (LDAP/MySQL/PGSQL):
- Web server (Apache or Nginx):
- Manage mail accounts with iRedAdmin-Pro?
- [IMPORTANT] Related original log or error message is required if you're experiencing an issue.
======== Required information ====
- iRedMail version (check /etc/iredmail-release): 0.9.7
- Linux/BSD distribution name and version:  Ubuntu 16
- Store mail accounts in which backend (LDAP/MySQL/PGSQL): MySQL
- Web server (Apache or Nginx): apache
- Manage mail accounts with iRedAdmin-Pro? No
- [IMPORTANT] Related original log or error message is required if you're experiencing an issue.
====

My system crash was solved with the realization that  fail2ban was at fault.  Disabling fail2ban prevents my system crash where the entrire system just stops.   Major success.  But I then lose the advantage and protection of fail2ban. 

However, the whitelisting on line <ignoreIP> in jail.local is not working.  It is not whitelisting my iRed <server address>.  Changing the bantime was critical.  Reduced from 3600 to 600.  But the system still stops a few times dialy for this 600 sec interval.

Why is whitelisting not working? I am using both internal and external IP addresses.  Then instead of the IP address I entered <mail.myserver.com> (myserver is just an example).  I even tried my local internet IP address.  Still not successful

So why is whitelisting not working?   
Where is a log or coding for banned IPs?
The log for jail2ban is empty.  There is no active logging