setting up domain, email, DNS, NS, MX, DKIM, SPF, DMARC

junggle

I have multiple domains routed to opalstack via name servers (ns1..). I also have set up multiple mailboxes. Everything seems to be working fine...

But now I noticed the documentation (https://docs.opalstack.com/user-guide/domains/) suggests setting also MX, DKIM, SPF, DMARC records. From the documentation I didn't quite understand what's the purpose of these and whether they are necessary for everything to work smoothly. Could someone explain these settings or point me to a easy to understand explanation?

sean

junggle When you point your domain at Opalstack we generate your MX and DKIM records automatically. You do not need to create them.

If you want to use SPF and DMARC then you can create those records manually as described in the documentation. They are not required but are recommended.

The record types are:

MX ("mail exchangers"): these tell other servers where to send mail for your domain.
DKIM ("domainkeys identified mail"): mail sent via our SMTP includes a signature that can be verified with the info in your DKIM TXT record. This helps recipient mail servers know that your mail was sent via our SMTP and not via a server pretending to be our SMTP.
SPF ("sender policy framework"): these tell other mail servers which mail servers are allowed to send mail for your domain.
DMARC ("Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting & Conformance"): these define the policies for handling messages that fail SPF and DKIM checks.