The DNS record that identifies an tin nhắn server is the Mail Exchange (MX) record. MX records specify which tin nhắn server is responsible for accepting tin nhắn messages on behalf of a particular domain name name. When someone sends an tin nhắn message vĩ đại a domain name, the sender’s tin nhắn server looks up the MX record for that domain name vĩ đại determine where vĩ đại send the message.
The MX record specifies the hostname of the tin nhắn server and a priority value. The priority value indicates the order in which tin nhắn servers should be tried in case the primary server is unavailable.
What is an Thư điện tử Server?
An tin nhắn server is a computer system used for sending and receiving emails. When an tin nhắn is sent, it undergoes a series of servers vĩ đại reach the intended recipient. An tin nhắn server software must be installed on your computer system sánh that it performs as a mail server. The software helps the system administrator in managing and creating tin nhắn accounts for the respected domain name hosted on the server.
The primary purpose of an tin nhắn server is vĩ đại collect and distribute emails vĩ đại the final destination. It can also encrypt emails vĩ đại ensure a secure transfer of data. Emails are integral vĩ đại corporate communication and the number of global tin nhắn users is expected vĩ đại grow vĩ đại 4.6 billion by 2025. However, this also gives an increased surface area vĩ đại malicious actors vĩ đại attempt phishing and spamming, making it important for IT-driven companies vĩ đại invest in DMARCservices and use encryption.
Types of Thư điện tử Servers
An tin nhắn server can be perceived as an online post office where emails are exchanged within and without a network. Let’s know its types vĩ đại learn which types of DNS record identifies an tin nhắn server.
SMTP Servers
SMTP is short for Simple Mail Transfer Protocol, an tin nhắn server protocol managing outgoing tin nhắn requests and sending emails. Without it, an tin nhắn can’t be sent.
POP3 Servers
POP3 is short for Post Office Protocol 3, a commonly used protocol used for receiving tin nhắn messages over a secure network connection. It’s a single-way protocol where emails are received and held on the tin nhắn server. The number ‘3’ refers vĩ đại the third version of the original POP protocol.
IMAP
IMAP stands for Internet Message Access Protocol, a server used vĩ đại keep copies of messages on the tin nhắn server. It basically allows users vĩ đại access emails wherever, whenever, and from whichever device.
What is a DNS Server?
A DNS server is just lượt thích a phonebook where domain name names and their corresponding IP addresses are stored. So, when you type a domain name name lượt thích ‘amazon.com,’ the DNS server is responsible vĩ đại find the corresponding IP address vĩ đại the site you want vĩ đại visit. This is because it’s easier for humans vĩ đại remember domain name names instead of numerical IP addresses lượt thích 123.45.678.
DNS servers lập cập dedicated programs vĩ đại communicate with each other using special protocols. So, when you enter a domain name name in the address bar, the DNS server will send a DNS query vĩ đại various servers, each of which translates vĩ đại a different part of the domain name name you entered.
Types of DNS Servers
There are three types of DNS servers- primary servers, secondary servers, and caching servers.
Primary Servers
The primary DNS server is the authoritative server of the zone where tasks lượt thích creating subdomains are performed. Apart from this, alterations related vĩ đại the zone or modifications or additions vĩ đại RRs in the zone files should be performed using the primary server only.
Generally, there’s only one primary server for any given zone, except when you integrate AD services and a Microsoft DNS server.
The primary DNS server usually has its own IP address that’s used by client computers vĩ đại send queries while resolving a domain name name into an IP address. It may behave as a secondary DNS server if several domains are hosted on the same computer.
Secondary Servers
Secondary DNS servers are backup servers hosted by your domain name registrar. The guidelines are already phối vĩ đại allow them vĩ đại handle DNS requests. It’s used vĩ đại retrieve DNS records where the main server isn’t available or fails vĩ đại perform its function.
They also help vĩ đại automatically update information from the primary server sánh that you don’t have vĩ đại tự it manually when there are any changes in your infrastructure.
Caching Servers
Caching servers behave as an extra layer of backup for primary and secondary servers. However, these are complicated and time-taking vĩ đại configure.
What is a DNS Record?
A DNS record is a phối of instructions loaded on a DNS server that tells about a domain name and its corresponding IP address. These instructions are important for the process of DNS lookup. All domains must have at least a few vital DNS records sánh that users can access their trang web using a domain name name. Apart from this, there are a few optional record types too.
Let’s dive into the main topic- which type of DNS record identifies an tin nhắn server.
MX Record
A DNS MX record or Mail Exchange record is required for matching emails vĩ đại the intended recipient’s address. It defines which mail servers are assigned vĩ đại accept incoming mail for a specific domain name. It also tells the route for the emails sent vĩ đại that domain name. You may experience failure in tin nhắn delivery if it isn’t configured correctly.
DNS records and how they help identify tin nhắn servers
When you send an tin nhắn vĩ đại someone, you probably don’t give much thought vĩ đại the journey that tin nhắn takes before it arrives in the recipient’s inbox. But there are actually a lot of behind-the-scenes processes that happen vĩ đại make sure your tin nhắn is delivered vĩ đại the right place.
One of the most important components of tin nhắn delivery is the Domain Name System (DNS). DNS is a system that translates domain name names (like google.com or yahoo.com) into IP addresses (like 172.217.0.46 or 98.137.246.8). Without DNS, it would be much more difficult vĩ đại connect vĩ đại websites or send emails.
In addition vĩ đại translating domain name names vĩ đại IP addresses, DNS also stores various types of records that provide additional information about a domain name name. One of the most important types of DNS records for tin nhắn delivery is the Mail Exchange (MX) record.
An MX record is a type of DNS record that specifies which tin nhắn server(s) are responsible for accepting incoming tin nhắn messages for a particular domain name name. When someone sends an tin nhắn vĩ đại a recipient at a specific domain name name (like [email protected]), their tin nhắn server uses DNS vĩ đại look up the MX record for example.com. The MX record will typically include the hostname of the tin nhắn server(s) responsible for handling tin nhắn for that domain name.
Here’s an example of what an MX record might look like:
Breaking down the MX record
- example.com. is the domain name name that this MX record applies vĩ đại.
- IN is the record class, which is usually “IN” for Internet.
- MX is the record type, indicating that this is an MX record.
- 10 is the priority value, indicating the order in which tin nhắn servers should be tried. A lower value means a higher priority.
- mail.example.com. is the hostname of the tin nhắn server responsible for handling incoming tin nhắn for example.com.
In this example, any incoming tin nhắn messages for example.com will be directed vĩ đại the tin nhắn server at mail.example.com. If the mail server at that hostname is unavailable, the sender’s tin nhắn server will attempt vĩ đại send the message vĩ đại the next MX record with a higher priority value.
MX records can be configured with multiple tin nhắn servers vĩ đại provide redundancy and ensure that tin nhắn messages are delivered even if one server is down or unavailable. It’s also possible vĩ đại phối up backup MX records with higher priority values, sánh that if the primary tin nhắn server is unavailable, the backup server(s) will accept incoming tin nhắn until the primary server is back online.
Overall, MX records are a critical part of tin nhắn delivery and help ensure that your messages are delivered vĩ đại the right place. By specifying the hostname of the tin nhắn server(s) responsible for handling incoming tin nhắn, MX records help make sure that your tin nhắn messages reach their intended recipients.
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Domain và Thư điện tử Security Expert at PowerDMARC
Ahona is the Marketing Manager at PowerDMARC, with 5+ years of experience in writing about cybersecurity topics, specializing in domain name and tin nhắn security. Ahona holds a post-graduation degree in Journalism and Communications, solidifying her career in the security sector since 2019.
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