What are the MX DNS records?
If your domain is to use the hosting.fr mail servers, corresponding MX records must be configured in your domain’s DNS zone.
The “MX” type records necessary for mail functionality are as follows:
mx01.routing.net (Priority 10), mx02.routing.net (Priority 10), mx03.routing.net (Priority 10), mxbackup.routing.de (Priority 20)
You create the records in the DNS zone as follows:
- Select the “Products” item in the menu on the left.
- In the “Products” menu, select the “DNS” sub-item.
- Under the DNS zone to be modified, select “Show details”. If you manage a larger number of domains, you may need to click “Show all” beforehand to get a complete overview of your DNS zones.
- In the “Records” section, select the “Edit” option.
With the “+” button, you can create a new record. It should be composed as follows:
- The “Record name” field generally remains empty. You only need to fill this field if you are using a subdomain such as “shop.mustermann-domain.de” and want to create email addresses for this subdomain. In this specific example, you would enter “shop” in the “Record name” field.
- Choose “MX” in the “Record type” field.
- In the “Target” field, enter the target record, for example, “mx01.routing.net”.
- In the “Priority” field, indicate the priority of the record.
- In the “TTL” field, indicate the period during which new records are updated on the name servers. This time is measured in seconds. Please indicate a TTL of at least 3,600 = 1 hour. The longer the update period, the lower the server load.
- You confirm each record via the checkmark icon on the right.
- Once you have created all the records, validate all changes with the “Save” button.
If you want to use the SPF security mechanism, please create a corresponding record in your domain’s DNS settings in the “TXT” format with the following content:
"v=spf1 include:spf.routing.net -all"
Understanding MX Records and Email Delivery
MX records (Mail Exchange) tell other mail servers where to deliver emails for your domain. They are part of DNS settings and define the priority and address of your mail servers. Correctly configured MX records ensure emails are routed reliably and reach the intended inbox. Misconfigured records can lead to delays, bouncing messages, or failed delivery. Businesses rely on accurate MX setups to maintain professional communication and avoid missing critical emails. Understanding how MX records work, including priority values and fallback servers, helps prevent common email routing issues and supports smooth correspondence.
How MX Records Interact with Other Email Security Measures
MX records alone do not guarantee secure delivery. They work alongside SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records to prevent spoofing, phishing, and spam. SPF defines which servers are allowed to send email for your domain, DKIM adds a digital signature, and DMARC enforces policies for suspicious messages. Ensuring these records align with your MX entries improves deliverability and protects your domain reputation. Regularly reviewing DNS records for accuracy and completeness is important, as changes to MX or mail provider configurations can affect these security measures, potentially causing legitimate emails to be marked as spam.
Common Issues When Configuring MX Records
Editing MX records can be straightforward, but errors sometimes occur. Key issues include:
- Incorrect mail server address or hostname.
- Wrong priority values, which affect which server handles email first.
- Conflicts with existing DNS entries, such as multiple MX records pointing to different providers.
- DNS propagation delays, causing temporary delivery failures.
- Missing SPF/DKIM/DMARC records, affecting email security and spam filtering.
Addressing these points proactively helps maintain reliable email delivery and prevents communication interruptions.
Best Practices for Managing MX Records
Regular monitoring and maintenance of MX records is essential for email reliability. Periodically check that your mail server addresses are correct, especially after changing providers. Keep backup servers configured in case of primary server failure. Avoid making unnecessary changes that could disrupt email flow. Document your MX configuration and any associated security records to make troubleshooting easier if issues arise. For businesses, combining MX management with regular audits of SPF, DKIM, and DMARC records ensures optimal email deliverability, security, and compliance with best practices.
You will find a complete overview of the SPF record syntax at SPF Record Syntax.