Understanding and Updating DNS
What is DNS?
Domain Name Servers (DNS) translate domain names or records created by users into numerical IP addresses used by computers. For example when you type in appriver.com it translates to the IP address (67.192.226.174) of our web server. Once translated it takes you to our website.
An analogy for DNS is that it serves as a phone book for the Internet. When a user wants to visit your website or send you an email your computer uses DNS records to determine where to send the data.
Where do I find my AppRiver DNS records?
Login to the Customer Portal as an admin.
- Click on SpamLab Tab
- Click on Alerts on the sub-menu
- Your MX records will be displayed on the right.
You can use the MX records mailer to email yourself a copy of the required MX and CNAME DNS records.
Who hosts my DNS?
You can use public tools on the internet to lookup DNS information.
One tool would be MXTOOLBOX.COM
Go to MXTOOLBOX.COM
Enter your domain name and hit Lookup
It will display your current MX records and state reported by NS1.YOURDNSHOST.COM. Your DNSHOST is most commonly the company who you bought your domain from or who hosts your website.
You will need to have the login credentials for YOURDNSHOST.COM or contact their support team to update the DNS records. If you have the login credentials need assistance updating record contact AppRiver support. We can remote in and assit you.
Common DNS hosts:
domaincontrol.com = GoDaddy
worldnic.com = Network Solutions
1and1.com = 1and1
What is a CNAME?
CNAME stands for Canonical Name. CNAME records can be used to alias one name to another. For the purpose of the migration and daily operations Outlook will look for autodiscover.yourdomain.com. Since you are migrating to AppRiver Exchange 2010, autodiscover.yourdomain.com needs to point to adr.exghost.com.
To add a CNAME DNS record you will need to have access to YOURDNSHOST.COM. You can login to YOURDNSHOST.COM website and add the record. If you do not have the login credentials you will need to contact YOURDNSHOST.COM support team to assist you.
How do I know my CNAME record is working after I updated it?
You can use MXTOOLBOX.COM
Type: cname:autodiscover.yourdomainname.com and hit Lookup.
If your record is correct it will appear as shown above. If you see any other variation your record is not correct.
Domain Name
autodiscover.yourdomainname.com
Canonical Name
adr.exghost.com
NOTE: Adding/updating DNS records can take some time. If the record does appear right away give it an hour. If you do not see a change within an hour contact your DNS HOST.
Checking your network
After you have verified you can see the Autodiscover cname record on MXTOOLBOX.COM you may want to make sure you see the record from your network.
Open Command prompt:
Open the Command Prompt window by clicking the Start button , clicking All Programs, clicking Accessories, and then clicking Command Prompt.
or
Click the Start button, In the Search box, type Command Prompt, and then, in the list of results, double-click Command Prompt
or
Just hold down the Shift key and right-click on blank space on your desktop and choose “Open Command Window Here”.
Type: ping autodiscover.yourdomainname.com
if correct it will say Pinging adr.exghost.com [204.232.250.249]..
Reply from 204.232.250.249 ...
This test will ensure you can see the record from your network.
What is a TXT record?
A TXT record is used to hold basic text information. Its often implemented to minimize spammers from spoofing your domain or to verify you own the domain.
To add a TXT DNS record you will need to have access to YOURDNSHOST.COM. You can login to YOURDNSHOST.COM website and add the record. If you do not have the login credentials you will need to contact YOURDNSHOST.COM support team to assist you.
How do I know my TXT record is working after I updated it?
You can use MXTOOLBOX.COM
Type: txt:yourdomainname.com and hit Lookup.