In the event that NS records cannot be created for technical or policy reasons, the subdomain can be created as a CNAME (canonical name) record. The exact steps may slightly differ between registrars, however the process is largely the same:
- Inform your iPost representative (CSM or Support) that you wish to create CNAME and provide them with the subdomain you wish to use.
- iPost will create a customized name to be the target of your CNAME alias. This typically follows the format 'yourbusiness.ip02.com' or something similar.
- Our team will communicate this target to you. You will then create a CNAME record in your registrar's control panel that links your desired subdomain to the iPost managed target name.
- Inform your iPost representative the CNAME record has been created.
At this point, our Support team will validate the records in iPost's system. Once the CNAME is accepted, you will then be required to add the TXT records below in order to comply with recent policy changes at Google and Yahoo. For more on these changes, please read our documentation.
DKIM
DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) is an email authentication method that helps prevent spammers, spoofing, and other malicious sending practices. This record is created by iPost and must be added to your DNS as a TXT record. Below is an example of the record that will be sent to you.
dkim1.domainkey.mail.example.com. 3600 IN TXT "v=DKIM1; " "p=MIGfMA0GCSqGSIb3DQEBAQUAA4GNADCBiQKBgQC+HqYnnx8+j3Yaq8iivNk
RgdzXovYsDnpkmkt8gvU0klzy6jZhJMPkAT6G3AWBiDTAAeLRj4CAvFZFws5Ud/
yUkxr5uhabiwdTiT6s1CqxNsdSPoDf5HHdOQ/ye9bH0SgzJrjehq2aNnt4mZQEG
LOsnZ8zbDG4z3j79saDKyNo/QIDAQAB"
Using the example above as a guide, add the record provided to you as a TXT record at your DNS's control panel in this format:
Type: TXT
Host: dkim1.domainkey.mail
TTL: use your registrar's default or set to 3600
Value: v=DKIM1; " "p=MIGfMA0GCSqGSIb3DQEBAQUAA4GNADCBiQKBgQC+HqYnnx8+j3Yaq8iivNk
RgdzXovYsDnpkmkt8gvU0klzy6jZhJMPkAT6G3AWBiDTAAeLRj4CAvFZFws5Ud/
yUkxr5uhabiwdTiT6s1CqxNsdSPoDf5HHdOQ/ye9bH0SgzJrjehq2aNnt4mZQEG
LOsnZ8zbDG4z3j79saDKyNo/QIDAQAB"
SPF
A sender policy framework (SPF) record lists the servers authorized to send emails from a particular domain. This record is created by iPost and must be added to your DNS as a TXT record. Below is an example of the record that will be sent to you.
example.com 3600 IN TXT "v=spf1 include:example.ip02.com include:_spf.google.com~all"
Using the example above as a guide, add the record provided to you as a TXT record to the parent domain's DNS in this format:
Type: TXT
Host: @
TTL: use your registrar's default or set to 3600
Value: v=spf1 include:example.ip02.com include:_spf.google.com~all"
Once both records have been added to your DNS, contact iPost in order for these to be accepted. Failure to add these records will affect your ability to mail to any ESP.
If you need assistance, please contact your DNS Control Panel's Support team or iPost Support.
A Note on CNAMEs and SSL certificates
In today's online world, more and more inboxes utilize extra security measures to protect subscribers and mailers alike. SSL certificates keep user data secure, verify a website's ownership, and help prevent attacks. Since CNAME records are shared between iPost and your control panel, extra steps must be taken in order to connect your subdomain to an SSL cert created by iPost.
Two records will be provided to you, a CAA and a CNAME record (this will be in addition to the one you created for your subdomain). At this point, it's best to work with the support team at your DNS host as they may need to configure these records on your behalf.
Please note: both records (CAA and CNAME) are required to install your SSL certificate.