[iain2_uk]

I wish to re-route all email to one of my domains to a home-based server running exchange.

I currently have a subdomain pointing via cname record to a dyndns address, which then routes all http traffic to the home server.

As the IP is dynamic (dyndns updated via a client on the home server), am I rihgt in understanding I can't use a standard MX entry for the mail side of it, as it needs a static IP address

Is there any way round this?

e.g.:-

domain.co.uk - hosted on Xilo
subdomain.domain.co.uk - cname entry to point to home server
- needs to point to home server
- need not exist

Kieran, you nearly always have an answer to things like this, so I'll leave it to you

Cheers

Iain

[Kieran]

In WHM, go to Edit MX Entry, select the domain you wish to change the MX of.

Enter the domain given to you by dyndns into the MX entry and give it a priority of 0. Remove any other entries.

Ensure any port forwarding etc. has been done at your end so that mail hits your exchange server etc.

Be aware that if your IP changes your equipment (router, dyndns client etc.) may take a little while to update the pointers on your dyndns subdomain and as such there may be the odd 5 minutes or so every now and again where mail is unroutable.

[iain2_uk]

Which ports do I need opened on my router for that?

And do I need a final "." after the domain name in the MX entry?

[Kieran]

I've never run an exchange server; what ports you need etc. should be in the documentation for exchange. I can't help you there.

Yes, you need the . after the domain in the MX entry.

[iain2_uk]

I've opened port 25 (smtp)

I've set the MX record

I send a test email, and get nothing - no delivery, yet no bounce back

If I send an email from the exchange server, it arrives ok, either internally or externally, so the server appears to be functional


Is there any way of checking how far the test is getting, and where it is failing?

[Kieran]

Well, this depends on where you are sending it from. There could be some delays for your new MX settings to be picked up.

I can check this for you if you provide the domain that you are looking to point at your exchange server.

[iain2_uk]

domain is impos.co.uk
How do you test? it could be useful to knwo for future reference

[Matt]

Originally Posted by iain2_uk

Which ports do I need opened on my router for that?

And do I need a final "." after the domain name in the MX entry?

For Exchange the following ports are advisable.

Port 25 IN - Allows incoming SMTP mail
Port 25 OUT - Allows outgoing SMTP mail
Port 110 IN - Allows POP3 collection
Port 143 IN - Allows IMAP collection
Port 80 IN - Web Outlook access (if setup)
Port 443 IN - Web Outlook access SSL (if setup).

All of those are TCP.

Matt

[Matt]

Also..

I would ensure you configure Exchange to reject mail for users that do no exist on your Exchange server/domain. Otherwise you may get listed on a blacklist as it could appear you are relaying (although the message would never get relayed completely).

You must also ensure your IP at home has reverse DNS that resolves to a valid domain in both directions (forward and backwards).

I would suggest you set a smarthost on your exchange box to that of your ISP - as alot of places block direct mail from dial up, dsl and non-static IP ranges.

Matt

[Kieran]

I use DNSReport to check domains.

I can't see a dyndns domain name in the MX field, so it doesn't look like it has updated yet. I'll check over the course of the afternoon and let you know when it has. At this point I'll also punt an e-mail in your direction to act as a test.