Setting Up Custom Hostnames

This guide explains how to configure custom hostnames for your MXroute services, allowing you to use your own domain for webmail access and mail server connections.

Why Use Custom Hostnames?

Custom hostnames provide several benefits:

• Professional appearance when users access webmail
• Consistent branding across all email services
• Easier communication of server details to users
• Simpler email client configuration

Prerequisites

• An active MXroute account
• Admin access to your domain's DNS settings
• Your server name (found in your "[MXroute] Important Account Information" email)

Step 1: Identify Your Server

Before configuring custom hostnames, you need to know which server your MXroute account is hosted on:

1. Locate the "[MXroute] Important Account Information" email you received when signing up
2. Find your server name in this email (example: lisa.mxrouting.net)
3. Make note of this server name, as you'll need it for DNS configuration

Step 2: Configure DNS Records

You need to create two CNAME records with your DNS provider:

1. Create a CNAME record for webmail access:

   • Host/Name: webmail
   • Value/Target: Your server name (e.g., lisa.mxrouting.net)
   • TTL: Default value (typically 3600 or 1 hour)

2. Create a CNAME record for mail server connections:

   • Host/Name: mail
   • Value/Target: Your server name (e.g., lisa.mxrouting.net)
   • TTL: Default value (typically 3600 or 1 hour)

IMPORTANT

DO NOT use A records for these subdomains, as server IP addresses may change. Always use CNAME records pointing to your MXroute server name.

Example DNS Configuration in Common Providers

Namecheap

1. Log into your Namecheap account
2. Go to "Domain List" and click "Manage" next to your domain
3. Select the "Advanced DNS" tab
4. Add two CNAME Records:
   • Host: webmail, Value: Your server name
   • Host: mail, Value: Your server name

GoDaddy

1. Log into GoDaddy
2. Go to "My Products" and select your domain
3. Click "DNS"
4. Add two CNAME records:
   • Type: CNAME, Name: webmail, Value: Your server name
   • Type: CNAME, Name: mail, Value: Your server name

Step 3: Configure SSL Certificates

After setting up your DNS records, you need to configure SSL certificates for secure connections:

1. Log into DirectAdmin
2. Navigate to "Account Manager" > "SSL Certificates"
3. Select "Get automatic certificate from ACME Provider"
4. IMPORTANT: Uncheck your primary domain
5. Only check the mail and webmail subdomains
6. Click "Request" to generate the certificates

CRITICAL

You MUST uncheck your primary domain when generating SSL certificates for your custom hostnames. Failing to do so can cause issues with your primary domain's certificate.

Step 4: Using Your Custom Hostnames

Once DNS propagation is complete and certificates are issued (may take up to 24 hours):

For Webmail Access

• Use https://webmail.yourdomain.com to access webmail

For Email Client Configuration

• Incoming Mail Server (IMAP): mail.yourdomain.com
• Outgoing Mail Server (SMTP): mail.yourdomain.com
• For specific ports and encryption settings, refer to Email Server Settings

Subdomain Purpose Reference

Keep in mind the specific purpose of each subdomain:

• webmail.yourdomain.com: Used for accessing webmail through a browser
• mail.yourdomain.com: Used for IMAP, POP3, and SMTP connections from email clients

Do not mix these subdomains' purposes in your configuration.

Troubleshooting

If you encounter issues with your custom hostnames:

1. Verify DNS propagation using online tools like DNSChecker
2. Ensure SSL certificates have been properly issued in DirectAdmin
3. Clear your browser cache when testing webmail access
4. Wait at least 24 hours for DNS changes to fully propagate
5. Contact MXroute support if issues persist