[sdnog] PTR and SPF records

[Frank Habicht]

Hi,

you practically need the PTR record for an IP that wants to send emails
out to many mail servers you don't control.
Because these other mail servers are much more likely to accept the
email if you have that PTR record. which is a good practice (in my
opinion), because it's an indication that your part is well-run.

PTR and SPF are important for sending emails out. only.

MX is important for getting emails in. only.

Frank


On 4/18/2016 7:57 AM, Philip Paeps wrote:
> On 2016-04-18 09:19:24 (+0530), Sara Alamin <sara.alamin at sudren.edu.sd>
> wrote:
>> - Is the PTR  record is not necessary for the mail system ? I can just
>> define MX and A record for it ?
> 
> Most mail servers will be very upset if they receive mail from a mail
> server without a PTR record.  Many mail servers will also insist that
> the PTR record and the A record "agree".
> 
> The MX record only indicates where inbound email should be sent.
> 
>> - Can  I configure only spf record  to let  the recipient email
>> servers know what is my  SMTP Email server ? in other word  Can I use
>> SPF record  as a replacement for PTR ?
> 
> No.  The SPF record is an indication of which mail servers *send* email
> from your namespace.  The MX record denotes the servers that *receive*
> your email.  These are not necessarily the same machines (and indeed
> very often aren't).
> 
> Email is difficult. :)
> 
> Trouble
>