spf record

I have a client who has a domain name registered with their registrant,
  1. has their own on-prem exchange server
  2. and a website hosted by a 3rd party.  
  3. The website also creates emails when someone makes an online inquiry/feedback.

Today I tried to get the SPF record edited by the registrant, to include the website hosting providers domain and had what equates to an argument via chat over what is/isn't possible.  So I'm here in the court of Experts Exchange to see what your thoughts are.  

Exchange gateway address = 222.222.222.222 (just an example and sorry if its your IP)
Current spf = v=spf1 ip4:222.222.222.222 -all
Website hosting provider = worldsecuresystems.com (their real domain name)

Questions: (and some i know the answer but am starting as if I know nothing in case I am wrong)
  1. Is it possible to add a 2nd mail server to the SPF record?
  2. Can you have a mix of IP's and FQDN's in an spf record
  3. Is the spf syntax v=spf1 ip4:222.222.222.222 Include:worldsecuresystems.com -All
.

Reading resources on Googles own SPF reference talks about this exact scenario, yet openspf.org doesn't (or I haven't yet found)
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mbkitmgrAsked:
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Jason CrawfordConnect With a Mentor Transport NinjaCommented:
Your SPF record has a 256 character limit, and the current value belowonly uses 32 characters so you're good for now:

v=spf1 ip4:222.222.222.222 -all

You need to work with the web host and gather all WAN IPs they will use to send email on your behalf.  This can include a CIDR range, ie 222.222.222.0/24.  Your SPF record can also include recursive records which you demonstrated in your initial post with:

v=spf1 ip4:222.222.222.222 Include:worldsecuresystems.com -All

A great resource I've used for years to validate and test SPF records before publishing to DNS is Kitterman - http://www.kitterman.com/spf/validate.html.

One last thing.  If you do ever get yourself into a situation where you're approaching the 256 character limit, just nest an SPF record inside your SPF record.  Check out the SPF record for microsoft.com:

PS C:\Users\v-jacraw> Resolve-DnsName -Name microsoft.com -Type txt -Server 8.8.8.8

Name                                     Type   TTL   Section    Strings
----                                     ----   ---   -------    -------
microsoft.com                            TXT    2359  Answer     {docusign=d5a3737c-c23c-4bd0-9095-d2ff621
                                                                 f2840}
microsoft.com                            TXT    2359  Answer     {FbUF6DbkE+Aw1/wi9xgDi8KVrIIZus5v8L6tbIQZ
                                                                 kGrQ/rVQKJi8CjQbBtWtE64ey4NJJwj5J65PIggVY
                                                                 NabdQ==}
microsoft.com                            TXT    2359  Answer     {v=spf1 include:_spf-a.microsoft.com
                                                                 include:_spf-b.microsoft.com
                                                                 include:_spf-c.microsoft.com
                                                                 include:_spf-ssg-a.microsoft.com
                                                                 include:spf-a.hotmail.com
                                                                 ip4:147.243.128.24 ip4:147.243.128.26
                                                                 ip4:147.243.1.153 ip4:147.243.1.47
                                                                 ip4:147.243.1.48 -all}

Open in new window


You see how they nested '_spf-a.microsoft.com' inside the record?  If you query TXT record for _spf-a.microsoft.com you'll find the actual WAN IPs plus a few more nested records most likely.
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Austin TexasConnect With a Mentor Systems EngineerCommented:
I think this is the authoritative document: https://support.google.com/a/answer/4568483?hl=en

add the mail server's IP address before the ~all argument using the format ip4:address or ip6:address to add the server to your existing SPF record:

v=spf1 ip4:83.206.106.17 include:_spf.google.com ~all
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mbkitmgrAuthor Commented:
Thanks Austin, is the _spf part of the FQDN or is it Dmain Name syntax saying look for the spf for google.com?
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IvanConnect With a Mentor System EngineerCommented:
Hi,

as you wrote, it is possible to create SPF record of that type.
Question is, why are you making that modification?

When someone makes online inquiry, is mail going to be directed to exchange or is it sent to some other mail server? If it is sent to exchange, then you should create additional receive connector, that is going to accept connection from that provider and problem solved. Or if mail is send via some account, that is authenticated, then there should be no need to do anything. Just point to exchange.

You need SPF to help other mail servers identify if mail sent to them, sent from your mail servers. If you are sending mail to your exchange, from website, then you don't need to modify it.

Regards,
Ivan.
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Mal OsborneConnect With a Mentor Alpha GeekCommented:
1. Yes, large number of mail servers an be included in an SPF record.

2. Kinda, the FQDNs need to be prefixed with an INCLUDE mechanism, and if the domain references has no SPF record, it will break things. (always return a PERMERROR)

3. Yes, the syntax looks valid.
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Austin TexasConnect With a Mentor Systems EngineerCommented:
@mgkitmgr -

Sorry for the slow response...I fell asleep.

Yes, it is a FQDN. Another example:
"v=spf1 include:outlook.microsoft.com -all"
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mbkitmgrAuthor Commented:
These are excellent responses from you all.

I tried the kitterman spf test with the correct IP address and syntax and it passes

 v=spf1 ip4:203.45.234.155 include:worldsecuresystems.com -all

As an FYI about the config, some other factors
  • The client does use a cloud spam filtering service which is looking for spf's to refine the filtering accuracy
  • The website developer tells me he cant modify any of the config of the website feedback/inquiry mechanism (not sure how factual this is - not my forte) except the recipient email address for the email it generates
  • He cant point the emails generated by feedback/inquiry at the IP or FQDN for the domain, making it important that we get the spf correct to ensure the emails get thru the filter and not treated as spoofed.
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mbkitmgrAuthor Commented:
The power of experts exchange.  Many many thanks.
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