How to Create a Custom MX Record Template for MX Route in DirectAdmin?

Introduction

MX (Mail Exchanger) re­cords play a crucial role in DNS settings, guiding your domain's emails to the­ir destination. If MX Route is your choice for e­mail services, tweaking your MX re­cords could help with accurate email routing. With Dire­ctAdmin, setting up a custom MX record template­ for MX Route is straightforward. This tutorial will help you with the proce­ss.

Step 1: Log in to DirectAdmin

1. Navigate to your DirectAdmin login page.

2. Enter your username and password to access your control panel.

Step 2: Access DNS Management

1. Once logged in, go to DNS Management for the domain you want to configure.

Click on DNS Management from the main dashboard, or navigate to Account Manager > DNS Management.

Step 3: Remove Existing MX Records

1. In the DNS Management section, look for existing MX records. These are typically labeled as MX.

2. To avoid conflicts, delete all existing MX records by clicking on the Delete button next to each one.

Step 4: Add a New MX Record for MX Route

1. Scroll to the section labeled Add New Record.

2. In the dropdown menu, select MX Record.

3. Fill in the following details:

Domain: Leave this field blank to apply the record to the main domain, or specify a subdomain if needed.

Mail Server: Enter the mail server provided by MX Route. Typically, this would be something like mxroute.com.

Priority: Set the priority according to MX Route's recommendations. Lower numbers have higher priority (e.g., 10).

4. Click Add to save the new MX record.

Step 5: Add SPF Record (Optional but Recommended)

SPF (Sender Policy Framework) records help prevent email spoofing. It’s recommended to add an SPF record if you’re using MX Route for sending emails.

1. In the Add New Record section, choose TXT from the dropdown.

2. Enter the following:

• Domain: Leave this blank for the main domain.

TXT Record: Enter the SPF record provided by MX Route, such as:

3. Click Add to save the SPF record.

Step 6: Add DKIM Record (Optional)

DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) adds a digital signature to emails to improve email deliverability and security.

1. Still in DNS Management, choose TXT from the Add New Record dropdown.

2. Enter the following:

Domain: Use the selector provided by MX Route (e.g., default._domainkey).

TXT Record: Paste the DKIM key provided by MX Route.

3. Click Add to save the DKIM record.

Step 7: Verify Changes

1. Once you've­ input the required re­cords, handy web resources like­ MXToolbox can help check if your MX, SPF, and DKIM records are­ set up right.

2. Allowing for DNS propagation is next. Expect it to take­ a handful of hours.

Final Words

These­ simple steps guide you to craft a tailor-made­ MX record template for MX Route­ in DirectAdmin. Setting your MX records right is vital for the­ smooth delivery and routing of emails. Always double­-check any alterations and refe­r to MX Route's guide for details base­d on your domain.