A manual MX redirection allows you to bypass the domain's MX lookup via the Domain Name System (DNS). This can be useful for directing email to an external server without relying on standard MX records.
Prerequisites
- Access to the server's command line interface.
- Root or appropriate permissions to modify the
/etc/manualmx
file.
How Manual MX Redirection Works
Manual MX entries are placed in the /etc/manualmx
file in the following format:
grep example_domain.com /etc/manualmx
For instance, if you have the following entry:
example_domain.com: external.mail.example.com
Despite the MX records pointing to mail.example.com
, the server will bypass the MX lookup and deliver emails for example.com
directly to external.mail.example.com
.
Managing Manual MX Entries
You can add or remove a manual MX entry by following the procedures outlined in this article: How do I add or remove a domain from /etc/manualmx?.
Using manual MX redirection can simplify email routing and provide greater control over where your emails are delivered. Ensure you manage your entries carefully to avoid disruptions in email service.