How to use ClouDNS Mail Forwards for external DNS zones

A common question we receive from our customers is:
"Can we use ClouDNS Mail Forward servers if our DNS zone is hosted with another provider?"

The answer is simple: Yes, you can!

Setting this up is straightforward and can be done by anyone. Here’s a step-by-step guide to configure ClouDNS Mail Forwards for external DNS zones:

Step 1: Add MX Records to Your External DNS Zone

In your DNS zone hosted with another provider, you’ll need to add two MX (Mail Exchange) records that point to the Mail Forward servers provided by ClouDNS.

Here’s an example of what your MX records should look like:

Notes:

• Use the Mail Forward servers assigned to your ClouDNS account. These can be found in your ClouDNS Mail Forward Management Page.
• The host field (often "@" or blank) depends on your DNS provider’s formatting, so confirm with their documentation if needed.

Step 2: Create an Empty DNS Zone in ClouDNS

At ClouDNS, you need to create a DNS zone with the same name as your external DNS zone.

Once the zone is created:

1. Add the same MX records to your ClouDNS DNS zone as you did with your external DNS provider.
2. Ensure the MX records match exactly and point to the ClouDNS Mail Forward servers available to your account.

Why is this step important? - Creating the identical DNS zone at ClouDNS ensures that our Mail Forward servers can route emails correctly, even when the DNS zone itself is hosted elsewhere.

Step 3: Configure Mail Forward Settings

Now it’s time to set up the actual Mail Forwarding!

1. Go to your DNS Zone Management Page in ClouDNS.
2. Click on the "Mail Forwards" button (located between "Cloud Domains" and "DNS Statistics").
3. Click "Add New Forward" to open the configuration window.
4. Fill in the following details:

• Mail Box: Enter the email address that will receive forwarded emails.
• Forward To: Specify the email address where incoming emails should be forwarded.

Save your changes, and you’re done!

Additional Tips

• Verify Your Configuration: Double-check that your MX records at both the external DNS provider and ClouDNS match perfectly. Any discrepancies could result in failed email routing.
• Check Mail Forward Server Availability: Ensure you’re using the correct Mail Forward servers provided for your account. These may vary depending on your subscription or setup.
• Test Your Forwarding: Once everything is set up, send a test email to confirm that messages are forwarded correctly to the desired mailbox.**