MX Records

Discussion in 'Network Infrastructure' started by zimbo, Jul 31, 2006.

  1. zimbo
    Honorary Member

    zimbo Petabyte Poster

    5,215
    99
    181
    Now guys lets not get too technical as this is the first shot at something like this. What exactly does an MX record do and if you could illustrate with an example please?

    Thanks!
     
    Certifications: B.Sc, MCDST & MCSA
    WIP: M.Sc - Computer Forensics
  2. zimbo
    Honorary Member

    zimbo Petabyte Poster

    5,215
    99
    181
    im going to answer my own question now! :biggrin

    http://bobcares.com/article3.html

    so if you got no mail server in your domain there is no need for this?
     
    Certifications: B.Sc, MCDST & MCSA
    WIP: M.Sc - Computer Forensics
  3. Boycie
    Honorary Member

    Boycie Senior Beer Tester

    6,281
    85
    174
    Zim,

    As far as i am aware, an MX record is a record about a particular domain i.e which server to point the senders request to ...

    Si
     
    Certifications: MCSA 2003, MCDST, A+, N+, CTT+, MCT
  4. hbroomhall

    hbroomhall Petabyte Poster Gold Member

    6,624
    117
    224

    Being pedantic - not quite true.

    Amend it to read "If I don't want any mail to my domain then there is no need for this". If you *do* want mail then you should indicate what machine handles it - it doesn't have to be on your domain.

    Harry.
     
    Certifications: ECDL A+ Network+ i-Net+
    WIP: Server+
  5. zimbo
    Honorary Member

    zimbo Petabyte Poster

    5,215
    99
    181
    alright thanks harry!
     
    Certifications: B.Sc, MCDST & MCSA
    WIP: M.Sc - Computer Forensics
  6. zimbo
    Honorary Member

    zimbo Petabyte Poster

    5,215
    99
    181
    umm i think you talking about SRV records... they point clients to particular Services like LDAP
     
    Certifications: B.Sc, MCDST & MCSA
    WIP: M.Sc - Computer Forensics
  7. _omni_

    _omni_ Megabyte Poster

    647
    10
    62
    LDAP
    [​IMG]
     
    Certifications: MCSE 2003, MCSA:M
  8. zimbo
    Honorary Member

    zimbo Petabyte Poster

    5,215
    99
    181
    yes yes omni! thank you for pointing it out! :tongue

    here have an italian beer

    [​IMG]
     
    Certifications: B.Sc, MCDST & MCSA
    WIP: M.Sc - Computer Forensics
  9. zimbo
    Honorary Member

    zimbo Petabyte Poster

    5,215
    99
    181
    so in the end thats what an MX record is? points to the mail server so email know where the mail server is in the domain?
     
    Certifications: B.Sc, MCDST & MCSA
    WIP: M.Sc - Computer Forensics
  10. _omni_

    _omni_ Megabyte Poster

    647
    10
    62
    Why thank you! I guess being a spelling nazi does have its occasional rewards...besides an overinflated ego. :P
     
    Certifications: MCSE 2003, MCSA:M
  11. zimbo
    Honorary Member

    zimbo Petabyte Poster

    5,215
    99
    181
    it was actually typing it out sparky!:twisted: :twisted:
     
    Certifications: B.Sc, MCDST & MCSA
    WIP: M.Sc - Computer Forensics
  12. _omni_

    _omni_ Megabyte Poster

    647
    10
    62
    My name is omni, thank ye very much.:dry
     
    Certifications: MCSE 2003, MCSA:M
  13. zimbo
    Honorary Member

    zimbo Petabyte Poster

    5,215
    99
    181
    ok and im benito! :shades

    :offtopic
     
    Certifications: B.Sc, MCDST & MCSA
    WIP: M.Sc - Computer Forensics
  14. hbroomhall

    hbroomhall Petabyte Poster Gold Member

    6,624
    117
    224
    Yes - although I'm going to be pedantic again and say:
    "knows where the mail server is for the domain".

    The point here is that a mail server for a domain doesn't have to reside *in* that domain.

    Mind you - this is true in the Internet at large - M$ may have ****ed things up and insist on it being in the domain - but I don't think they have. :biggrin

    Harry.
     
    Certifications: ECDL A+ Network+ i-Net+
    WIP: Server+
  15. zimbo
    Honorary Member

    zimbo Petabyte Poster

    5,215
    99
    181
    i was thinking about that... so lets say the DNS server is for domain1.com and the mail server is in domain2.com the MX record will contain the domain2.com because thats where the mail server will need to sort out email right?
     
    Certifications: B.Sc, MCDST & MCSA
    WIP: M.Sc - Computer Forensics
  16. fortch

    fortch Kilobyte Poster

    408
    21
    35
    Has this been answered? Simply, a Mail eXchange record, and you need to deal with these anytime time you administer a mail system utilizing DNS. Just because you don't host a mail server in your domain, doesn't mean you don't have to deal with MX records. For example, I admin a (beta) gmail domain for my church, as it's website is hosted at my house, but I don't want the hassle and bandwidth issue from having a mailserver on my network. So, I setup a gmail domain, and had to list the MX records in ZoneEdit. Voila! Free DNS, domain email, and no administration, outside of redirectors and setup.

    Source

    More info from M$ here.
     
    Certifications: A+,Net+,Sec+,MCSA:Sec,MCSE:Sec,mASE
  17. hbroomhall

    hbroomhall Petabyte Poster Gold Member

    6,624
    117
    224

    Correct! Here is a real example:
    The mailservers for demon.co.uk are actualy in mail.demon.net.

    Harry.
     
    Certifications: ECDL A+ Network+ i-Net+
    WIP: Server+
  18. zimbo
    Honorary Member

    zimbo Petabyte Poster

    5,215
    99
    181
    Thanks everyone! going to head back to the books now!:biggrin :biggrin
     
    Certifications: B.Sc, MCDST & MCSA
    WIP: M.Sc - Computer Forensics
  19. Sparky
    Highly Decorated Member Award 500 Likes Award

    Sparky Zettabyte Poster Moderator

    10,718
    543
    364
    Just to give another example when installing a small business network generally there is one ‘real world’ I.P address. The MX record points to that I.P address (which is probably assigned to a firewall device) and then port 25 is forwarded to the static I.P of your mail server. Allow the recipient policy of Exchange to accept mail for @yourdomain.com and then the mail can receive email.

    Outbound email can be resolved by internal DNS or by a smart host, but that’s a different topic! :biggrin
     
    Certifications: MSc MCSE MCSA:M MCSA:S MCITP:EA MCTS(x5) MS-900 AZ-900 Security+ Network+ A+
    WIP: Microsoft Certs

Share This Page

Loading...
  1. This site uses cookies to help personalise content, tailor your experience and to keep you logged in if you register.
    By continuing to use this site, you are consenting to our use of cookies.