mail server doesn't know it's domain name!!
 

Hi,

I have install Redhat 9 's linux mail server(sendmail). It could send and receive mail from localhost.localdomain. But it can't recongnize it's own domain name (hitech.com).

I have set the domain name in /etc/resolv.conf like this
domain hitech.com

The host name is "machine1". When I ping "machine1.hitech.com" it did reply. But when I send mail to "root@hitech.com" it just won't able to deliver. It only work if I send mail to "root". What am I missing?

Thanks in advance!

Clu

u edit file /etc/mail/local-host-names and put your domain (hitech.com) there include all your local host names.


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I've got the same problem, too.
can't get external mail .... just can send and recv local mail ?

I've changed the DAEMON .... 127.0.0.1 to 0.0.0.0 already in sendmail.mc

Would any body help ?

Did you configure your DNS server with MX records for your domain?

no ... how to config DNS server, is that to edit /etc/named.conf ?

Yes, you have to edit your named.conf file and add the zones needed: Domain, localhost, loop and reverse. Lets assume a single box.

Let's say your domain is domain.com and your address is 1.2.3.4

Ex.

zone "domain.com" {
file "domain.com.dns";
type master;
notify no;
};

zone "3.2.1.IN-ADDR.ARPA" {
type master;
file "domain.rev";
notify no;
};

Then, you have to add your domain files in the /var/named directory.

$TTL 3D
domain.com. IN SOA ns.domain.com. root.domain.com. (
2003082601 ; serial
28800 ; refresh
7200 ; retry
604800 ; expire
86400 ; default_ttl
)
;name servers
domain.com. IN NS ns.domain.com.

;Mail exchange

domain.com. IN MX 5 ns.domain.com.
localhost IN A 127.0.0.1
ns.domain.com. IN A 1.2.3.4
domain.com. IN A 200.12.228.11
;Aliases
www IN CNAME ns.domain.com.

Then, your reverse file

@ IN SOA domain.com. root.domain.com. (
2003082601 ; serial
28800 ; refresh
7200 ; retry
604800 ; expire
86400 ; default_ttl
)
@ IN NS ns.domain.com.
@ IN NS ns.isp.com.
4 IN PTR ns.domain.com.

This should do the trick.

I have two ether net cards in mail server. One is for external (plubic IP = 6.7.8.9) and the other is for internal LAN (IP=2.3.4.5)

I assume I should set up my
ns.domain.com. IN A 6.7.8.9 (not the 2.3.4.5)

what about
domain.com. IN A ?.?.?.?

Thanks a lot in advance !

You don't really have to worry about your internal addresses, unless you need to resolve them for any particular purpose. You should use

domain.com. IN A 6.7.8.9

Pay special attention to those entries that have a final dot (.) and those who don't. It killed me the first time I tried to set up my DNS!!!!

how do I know my DNS config is fine ?

as I still can't get external mail and don't know where is the problem ??

you can use nslookup and point it to your dns server.
for ex:
#nslookup
server 1.2.3.4 (your dns ip)
#linuxquestions.org

and see whether it give you the answer or not?

here it is, does it mean hv reply from nslookup, is it okay ?

#nslookup
> server myhost.connect.to
Default server: myhost.connect.to
Address: 1.2.3.4#53
>

Now, from the prompt, type
set q=any

and then input your domain name
domain.com

It should get all the info about your domain, including MX records. Next, try with another domain such as linuxquestions.org

If there are no errors, sendmail should work fine.

If you want to know whether ur dns config fine or not, simply type in the prompt (your linux box):
nslookup (hit enter)
server 1.2.3.4 ( your dns server's IP) (hit enter)
linuxquestions.org (hit enter)

if you got answer like this :

server :your dns server name
address : your dns server ip

name :linuxquestion.org
address : 64.179.4.16

it means ur dns config is fine.

Test it first and let me know the result

no, I don't think it's alright,

my test is this:

#nslookup
> server 1.2.3.4 (my ip)
Default server: 1.2.3.4
Address: 1.2.3.4#53
> linuxquestions.org
;; connection timed out; no servers could be reached

I wonder my domain name is valid or not, it's naming convention is like this <myname>.connect.to,
is that just involve the two files <mydomain name>.dns and <mydomain name>.rev in /var/named will be fine ?

Is your firewall up?