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Email DNS Configuration

Email DNS configuration manages Domain Name System (DNS) records for your domain. This ensures reliable email services, improves email deliverability, and enhances security, helping tourism operators maintain trusted communications with guests and...

Hayden Zammit Meaney avatar
Written by Hayden Zammit Meaney
Updated over 2 months ago

Email Domain DNS Setup

Overview

This article provides comprehensive guidance on configuring Domain Name System (DNS) records essential for establishing and maintaining reliable email services for your domain. Proper DNS configuration, including MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records, is critical for ensuring email deliverability, mitigating spam, and enhancing the security and authenticity of your domain's outgoing communications. This setup ensures that emails sent from your domain reach their intended recipients and that incoming emails are routed correctly.

Accessing This Feature

To manage your domain's DNS records for email:

  1. Navigate to Domain Management within your Tourism Accelerator account.

  2. Select the specific domain you wish to configure.

  3. Click on DNS Records.

  4. Then, select Email DNS Configuration to access the dedicated email DNS management interface.

Using This Feature

Configuring DNS records for your email domain involves several key steps to ensure optimal performance and security. Always refer to your email service provider's (ESP) documentation for the precise record values you need to enter.

  1. Identify Required DNS Records from Your Email Service Provider:
    Before making any changes, consult your email service provider's setup instructions. They will provide specific values for MX, SPF (TXT), DKIM (TXT), and DMARC (TXT) records. These values are unique to your provider and essential for correct configuration. Ensure you have these details readily available.

  2. Access the DNS Management Interface:
    Follow the "Accessing This Feature" steps above to navigate to the Email DNS Configuration section for your domain within the Tourism Accelerator platform. This interface provides the tools to add, modify, and delete DNS records.

  3. Configure MX Records (Mail Exchanger):
    MX records direct incoming email to your mail server. A domain typically has one or more MX records, each with a priority value. Lower numbers indicate higher priority.

    • In the Email DNS Configuration interface, locate the section for MX records.

    • Click "Add New MX Record" or "Edit" an existing one.

    • Enter the Host (often @ or your domain name), the Value (the mail server address provided by your ESP), and the Priority (e.g., 10, 20).

    • Add all MX records specified by your ESP, ensuring correct priority values.

  4. Add SPF Record (Sender Policy Framework):
    An SPF record is a TXT record that specifies which mail servers are authorised to send email on behalf of your domain. This helps prevent email spoofing.

    • Locate the TXT records section.

    • Click "Add New TXT Record".

    • Set the Host to @ or your domain name.

    • Enter the Value as the SPF string provided by your ESP (e.g., v=spf1 include:spf.mailprovider.com ~all). Ensure there is only one SPF record for your domain to avoid conflicts.

  5. Add DKIM Records (DomainKeys Identified Mail):
    DKIM records are TXT records that add a digital signature to your outgoing emails, allowing recipient servers to verify that the email has not been tampered with and was sent from an authorised source.

    • Your ESP will provide one or more DKIM selectors and their corresponding TXT record values.

    • For each DKIM record:

      • Click "Add New TXT Record".

      • The Host will typically be a combination of a selector and your domain (e.g., s1._domainkey or google._domainkey).

      • Enter the full Value provided by your ESP.

  6. Add DMARC Record (Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance):
    A DMARC record is a TXT record that tells receiving mail servers what to do with emails that fail SPF or DKIM checks (e.g., quarantine, reject, or none) and provides reporting capabilities.

    • Click "Add New TXT Record".

    • Set the Host to _dmarc (e.g., _dmarc.yourdomain.com).

    • Enter the Value as the DMARC policy string provided by your ESP (e.g., v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; rua=mailto:[email protected]).

  7. Review and Save Changes:
    Carefully review all the records you have entered. Double-check for any typos or incorrect values, as these can lead to email delivery issues. Once satisfied, click the "Save All Changes" or equivalent button within the interface to apply your configurations.

  8. Allow for DNS Propagation:
    After saving, DNS changes do not take effect immediately. It can take anywhere from a few minutes to up to 48 hours for changes to propagate across the internet. During this period, your email services may experience intermittent behaviour.

  9. Verify Configuration:
    Once propagation time has passed, use an online DNS lookup tool (e.g., mxtoolbox.com) to verify that your new DNS records are correctly published. Additionally, send test emails to various email providers (e.g., Gmail, Outlook, Yahoo) to confirm that emails are being sent and received without issues and that SPF/DKIM authentication is passing.

Key Capabilities

  • Comprehensive Record Management: Add, modify, and delete various DNS record types, including MX, TXT (for SPF, DKIM, DMARC), CNAME, A, AAAA, and SRV records.

  • Streamlined Email Authentication Setup: Dedicated sections and guidance for configuring essential email authentication records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) to enhance deliverability and security.

  • Real-time Syntax Validation: The platform performs basic validation checks on record inputs to help prevent common configuration errors.

  • Centralised Domain Control: Manage all aspects of your domain's DNS, including email-specific settings, from a single, intuitive interface.

  • Status Monitoring: View the current status and values of your domain's DNS records to quickly identify any discrepancies.

Best Practices

  • Always Consult Your Email Service Provider (ESP): Your ESP is the authoritative source for the exact DNS records required for their service. Always copy these values precisely.

  • Understand DNS Propagation Times: Be aware that DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to fully propagate globally. Avoid making urgent changes or expecting immediate results.

  • Prioritise MX Records: Ensure your MX records are correctly configured first, as they are fundamental for directing incoming email. Incorrect MX records will prevent you from receiving emails.

  • Implement All Email Authentication Records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC): These records are crucial for improving email deliverability, preventing spoofing, and building trust with recipient mail servers.

  • Regularly Review Records: Periodically check your DNS records, especially after making changes to your email service provider or domain setup, to ensure they remain correct and current.

  • Backup Existing Records: Before making significant changes, record your current DNS settings. This allows for quick rollback if an

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