Setup DNS
Last updated
Last updated
This guide helps you setup the necessary DNS records for your domain
An MX record tells senders where to send email for your domain. When your domain is registered, it’s assigned several DNS records, which enable it to be located on the Internet. These include MX records, which direct the domain’s mail flow. Simply put, an MX record identifies the mail server that is responsible for receiving emails for that domain name. Properly configured & propagated MX record is necessary to receive emails.
Setting up an MX record at your DNS provider (usually the same as your domain registrar) is a very simple process that can be done in under a minute.
In this example, we will configure MX records for the domain vonmail.com hosted on the mailserver meghna.exonhost.com.
Step 1
Add primary MX record. This should point to your mailserver hostname and is where a sender would usually send their mail.
Step 2
Add backup MX records pointing to alt1.exonhost.com and alt2.exonhost.com. This is where a sender would send to if the primary MX (server) is offline. These geo-redundant backup MX servers would queue mails in the event of primary MX downtime and relay them to the primary MX once it’s online.
Overview
Finally, here’s an overview of the configured MX records:
Caution
Make sure to remove your old host’s MX records (if any).
An SPF record is actually a specific type of TXT record that identifies which mail servers are permitted to send email on behalf of your domain. The purpose of an SPF record is to prevent spammers from sending messages with forged addresses at your domain. Recipients (usually their email service providers) can refer to the SPF record to determine whether a message purporting to be from your domain comes from an authorized mail server. Properly configured & propagated SPF record is necessary to send emails (using ExonHost’s Premium relay).
Setting up an SPF record at your DNS provider (usually the same as your domain registrar) is a very simple process that can be done in under a minute.
In this example, we will configure SPF record for the domain vonmail.com.
Step 1
Add a DNS TXT record pointing to v=spf1 mx a:relay.mymailcheap.com -all
Overview
Here’s an overview of the configured SPF record:
Caution
SPF is configured as a TXT record in your DNS manager. SPF should not be configured using the deprecated SPF record type. A domain should have only 1 SPF record; remove your old host’s SPF record (if any).
A DKIM record is actually a specific type of TXT record to verify that a message’s content is trustworthy, meaning that they weren’t changed or tampered from the moment the message left the initial mail server.
Setting up a DKIM record at your DNS provider (usually the same as your domain registrar) is a very simple process that can be done in under a minute.
In this example, we will configure DKIM record for the domain vonmail.com.
Step 1
DKIM keys are unique to each domain and must be generated from Mail Portal. Once logged in to Mail Portal, from the menu bar > select Domains > from the list of Actions > DKIM > Enable. Please wait up to 1 minute for the DKIM key to be generated.
Step 2
Add DKIM record in your DNS manager. Take particular note of the host value default._domainkey. That is, to create a DKIM record for the domain vonmail.com, the TXT record hostname must be default._domainkey.vonmail.com. The record must point to the DKIM key generated above.
Overview
Here’s an overview of the configured DKIM record:
A DMARC record is actually a specific type of TXT record used for email authentication that specifies a clear policy to enforce when SPF and DKIM fails. This record is paramount for preventing spoofing of your domain.
Setting up a DMARC record at your DNS provider (usually the same as your domain registrar) is a very simple process that can be done in under a minute.
In this example, we will configure DMARC record for the domain vonmail.com.
Step 1
Add DMARC record in your DNS manager. Take particular note of the host value _dmarc. That is, to create a DMARC record for the domain vonmail.com, the TXT record hostname must be _dmarc.vonmail.com. The record should point to v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; pct=100.
Overview
Here’s an overview of the configured DMARC record:
Note
Both SPF and DKIM must be configured before setting up DMARC.
Verify and test your DNS settings by sending an email to check-auth@verifier.port25.com to get back a diagnostics report
