Email Server Questions - Tilted Forum Project Discussion Community

Herk · 04-25-2008, 06:16 AM

I am having some trouble understanding some things. At my work we have a website. It is hosted remotely. www.xxx.com

We also have an exchange server local. When an email is sent to herk@xxx.com how does this get to our exchange server.

I ask this because soon I will be hosting our www.xxx.com company website at bluehost.com(best hosting ever). I'd like my email that usually goes to the exchange server to then be handled by imap at bluehost. How do you control where the email messages go.

Cynthetiq · 04-25-2008, 06:22 AM

configuration is done via MX configuration where ever your DNS is registered and configured. Sometimes this is the same as your ISP and sometimes it is completely different depending on many things.

I use a registrar that is different than my ISP because my ISP charges twice the amount that 1and1.com does. So my MX configuration is done in the same control panel that my DNS is done at 1and1.com

vanblah · 04-25-2008, 06:37 AM

Don't confuse IMAP, POP and other protocols with routing of email. That is handled by your server and has nothing to do with DNS. With the exception that you may have a CNAME (alias) of imap.xxx.com or pop.xxx.com setup in DNS; but again this is just a record that says these urls live at this address. Really it's not necessary since Exchange will handle any protocol that you have it set up for no matter what the address is as long as your HOST (not your MX) record is correct in DNS.

If you want your email to go to your Exchange server rather than bluehosts you will have to have DNS control (which I'm sure bluehost offers). You will add an MX record that points to the IP address of your Exchange server. MX = MailExchange (not to be confused with Microsoft Exchange).

Go here (www.mxtoolbox.com) and point it to your website url (www.xxx.com) ... it SHOULD show you what your MX records are currently.

So to sum up: MX records are methods for other email servers to find your email server. Clients (Outlook, Entourage, Eudora) don't use MX records ... they use A records (AKA Host records) to find your server.

EDIT --- Sorry ... I edited after you posted the follow-up. Still; this information applies.

Herk · 04-25-2008, 06:44 AM

I only meant that I'd be using bluehost for mail rather than the local exchange. I should have left imap out of it since I know that isn't related to the routing. You both set me down exactly the path I was seeking. Thank you so much. I must go do some reading now.

04-25-2008, 06:16 AM	#1 (permalink)
Herk Insane Location: Kansas City, MO	Email Server Questions I am having some trouble understanding some things. At my work we have a website. It is hosted remotely. www.xxx.com We also have an exchange server local. When an email is sent to herk@xxx.com how does this get to our exchange server. I ask this because soon I will be hosting our www.xxx.com company website at bluehost.com(best hosting ever). I'd like my email that usually goes to the exchange server to then be handled by imap at bluehost. How do you control where the email messages go. __________________ -Blind faith runs into things!-

04-25-2008, 06:22 AM	#2 (permalink)
Cynthetiq Tilted Cat Head Administrator Location: Manhattan, NY	configuration is done via MX configuration where ever your DNS is registered and configured. Sometimes this is the same as your ISP and sometimes it is completely different depending on many things. I use a registrar that is different than my ISP because my ISP charges twice the amount that 1and1.com does. So my MX configuration is done in the same control panel that my DNS is done at 1and1.com __________________ I don't care if you are black, white, purple, green, Chinese, Japanese, Korean, hippie, cop, bum, admin, user, English, Irish, French, Catholic, Protestant, Jewish, Buddhist, Muslim, indian, cowboy, tall, short, fat, skinny, emo, punk, mod, rocker, straight, gay, lesbian, jock, nerd, geek, Democrat, Republican, Libertarian, Independent, driver, pedestrian, or bicyclist, either you're an asshole or you're not. What's the best nation in the world? DO-NATION!

04-25-2008, 06:37 AM	#3 (permalink)
vanblah Junkie	Don't confuse IMAP, POP and other protocols with routing of email. That is handled by your server and has nothing to do with DNS. With the exception that you may have a CNAME (alias) of imap.xxx.com or pop.xxx.com setup in DNS; but again this is just a record that says these urls live at this address. Really it's not necessary since Exchange will handle any protocol that you have it set up for no matter what the address is as long as your HOST (not your MX) record is correct in DNS. If you want your email to go to your Exchange server rather than bluehosts you will have to have DNS control (which I'm sure bluehost offers). You will add an MX record that points to the IP address of your Exchange server. MX = MailExchange (not to be confused with Microsoft Exchange). Go here (www.mxtoolbox.com) and point it to your website url (www.xxx.com) ... it SHOULD show you what your MX records are currently. So to sum up: MX records are methods for other email servers to find your email server. Clients (Outlook, Entourage, Eudora) don't use MX records ... they use A records (AKA Host records) to find your server. EDIT --- Sorry ... I edited after you posted the follow-up. Still; this information applies. Last edited by vanblah; 04-25-2008 at 06:59 AM..

04-25-2008, 06:44 AM	#4 (permalink)
Herk Insane Location: Kansas City, MO	I only meant that I'd be using bluehost for mail rather than the local exchange. I should have left imap out of it since I know that isn't related to the routing. You both set me down exactly the path I was seeking. Thank you so much. I must go do some reading now. __________________ -Blind faith runs into things!-