Why are MX records defined as CNAME in zone templates?

Harikalar Kutusu

• October 09, 2016 19:38

While checking Email on my new server I realized that MX's are defined as CNAME. When checked with online DNS/EMail tools they do complain that it is not a valid definition according to RFxxxx... Is there any reason for this kind of definition in cPanel servers? Thank you... (there are a couple of other posts on this issue in these forums, but just for specific setups)

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  cPanelMichael

  • October 11, 2016 22:45

  Hello, cPanel uses the "MX" record type by default. EX:
  cptest01.tld. 14400 IN MX 0 cptest01.tld.
  A "CNAME" record type would look like this:
  cptest01.tld. 14400 IN CNAME 0 cptest01.tld.
  Could you verify if the hostname referenced in your MX record resolves to a valid IP address? What's the exact warning message you receive in your email checker utility? Thank you.

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  Harikalar Kutusu

  • October 12, 2016 11:21

  Sorry, I already modified the records yesterday and cannot get the exact warning. The old setting was like this:
  mydomain.org. 14400 IN MX 0 mydomain.org mail 14400 IN CNAME mydomain.org
  Now I changed them to this:
  mydomain.org. 14400 IN MX 0 mydomain.org mail 14400 IN A 123.123.123.123
  The tools on the Internet do not complain anymore... Let me try to revert a spare domain...

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  cPanelMichael

  • October 12, 2016 17:48

  Hello, The change you made is acceptable, however either entry will work. By leaving the "mail" entry as a CNAME for "mydomain.org", you ensure that subdomain always resolves to the same IP address as "mydomain.org". We document the DNS record types at: Advanced Zone Editor - Documentation - cPanel Documentation Thank you.

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  Harikalar Kutusu

  • October 15, 2016 06:20

  I tested with a spare domain but could not replicate the results. I think it was a general DNS issue with my new server. Case closed :) Thank you again...

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