davids355
asked on
Setting up SPF records for a domain hosted on 1and1
One of our clients runs an exchange server (2003), and are having trouble sending to hotmail addresses.
I understand that to resolve this problem, we need to create an SPF record for the domain.
However, we host the domain with 1and1 who I beleive dont support SPF records.
I have read up on external DNS hosting - for example zoneedit.com.
However, Im not sure if this will even work - I take it I would have to point the domain in 1and1 to external dns (ie zoneedit account), but then how would I point the A record (website) back to 1and1 - baring in mind we have a hosting account and not a dedicated server. Is this even doable?
What are the alternatives?
And do Hotmail REQUIRE an SPF record by default, or is it just useful if the domain has ALREADY got blacklisted?
I understand that to resolve this problem, we need to create an SPF record for the domain.
However, we host the domain with 1and1 who I beleive dont support SPF records.
I have read up on external DNS hosting - for example zoneedit.com.
However, Im not sure if this will even work - I take it I would have to point the domain in 1and1 to external dns (ie zoneedit account), but then how would I point the A record (website) back to 1and1 - baring in mind we have a hosting account and not a dedicated server. Is this even doable?
What are the alternatives?
And do Hotmail REQUIRE an SPF record by default, or is it just useful if the domain has ALREADY got blacklisted?
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you would need to look at the current zone information on 1and1 and note all DNS records and add to the new DNS server
the IP is controlled by 1and1 but you should receive notice before they change anything
the IP is controlled by 1and1 but you should receive notice before they change anything
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ASKER
Chris thats what i wanted confirmed - since having these issues and since speaking with hotmail (although they said they couldn't do anything), I have managed to send successfully to hotmail, so it does seem as if the issue has been resolved.
I guess the SPF record is just a bit more of a rigid protocol to prevent these issues...? These things cause such a headache!!
I guess the SPF record is just a bit more of a rigid protocol to prevent these issues...? These things cause such a headache!!
I'm just copying this into here because I think it's useful to have in the thread. The comment in the close request is disgarded otherwise:
"Problem solved - I have confirmed that I dont neccesarily need an SPF record to send to hotmail. And also that I need zonedit.com in order to create one." - davids355 22/09/2010 5:05PM BST
And regarding SPF in general, it's useful because it lets you dictate which servers are able to send using your domain name. However, adoption is not universal on either side (those who check it on receipt, and those who have it set up when sending).
As you've discovered, not all providers allow you to create one, despite the fact that it uses one of the originally defined record types (TXT) rather than an extension. Lazy and in my opinion, bad, DNS providers.
Chris
ASKER
MX record is fine because that will point to our exchange server, the A record however, would need to point to the IP address if our 1and1 server - is that right? But I dont know what that IP is..?? And also, becuase we have a shared hosting account, we dont actually have a static IP at 1and1 - so Im assuming that IP is liable to change?