DNS configuration on our domain

Mark Andrews Mark_Andrews at isc.org
Wed Sep 13 01:25:58 UTC 2006


> I need some help troubleshooting a problem.  Sorry for the lengthy
> message.  I thought it would be better to provide as much information as
> possible.  I am not sure whether our problem is a DNS problem, a qmail
> problem, a spamassassin problem, an exchange 2000 problem or something
> totally different.  I am starting with posting to this list as I have
> had previous DNS problems that have shut down my email delivery in the
> past.
>  
> 
> At the bottom of this message are the zone configurations for the three
> zones that affect email in our domain.  The server listed below is
> serving as an external DNS server for our domain.  I also have (or I
> should say, had) two servers on the domain serving as internal DNS
> servers.  One is a new Windows 2003 server that I just set up a couple
> of weeks ago.  The other is an older machine running Windows Advanced
> Server 2000.  I have removed the older Server 2000 from serving as a DNS
> server.  The reason for this was that the C: drive on that machine is
> full (less than 32 mb of free space available).  This was causing DNS to
> shut down on that server.  I have added the Windows 2003 server to the
> domain as a DNS server and removed the older server from acting as a DNS
> server.  Since removing that old server as a DNS server I have not had
> any further DNS issues that I am aware of.
> 
>  
> 
> Prior to discovering the above mentioned internal DNS problem with the
> C: drive I was attempting to troubleshoot why emails were not being
> delivered.  In doing so I changed the MX setting on the external DNS to
> direct email to the Exchange 2000 server (204.87.111.232) instead of to
> the qmailtoaster server (204.87.111.225) which is the same server as the
> BIND DNS server.  I also have a new Exchange 2003 server (MXI2) which
> has my personal mailbox on it.  Because of the above changes to my BIND
> DNS zone settings I am wondering if my BIND DNS configurations below may
> be causing some delivery problems for incoming and outgoing email.
> 
>  
> 
> Since making these changes I have had some users complain that some
> emails that are sent to them from outside the network are not coming
> through or that some emails they send out are not being delivered.  In
> one instance, I had a user who could not send an email to an outside
> contact.  After exploring that problem with that domain's systems
> administrator it was discovered that their spam filters were blocking
> email from our domain because our MX (204.87.111.232) server did not
> have the same IP address as the DNS (204.87.111.225) server?  Below is
> the header for a message sent to that administrator after he resolved
> the filtering problem and his server began accepting email from our
> domain:
> 
>  
> 
> Microsoft Mail Internet Headers Version 2.0
> 
> Received: from mx1.okhouse.gov ([10.0.0.13]) by MAIL.ohr.lsb.state.ok.us
> with Microsoft SMTPSVC(6.0.3790.1830);
> 
>              Fri, 8 Sep 2006 14:19:11 -0500
> 
> Received: from dellapp02.occa.state.ok.us (ns.occa.state.ok.us
> [204.87.111.225])
> 
>             by mx1.okhouse.gov (BorderWare MXtreme Mail Firewall) with
> ESMTP id 3276160D1F
> 
>             for <davidw at okhouse.gov>; Fri,  8 Sep 2006 14:19:10 -0500
> (CDT)
> 
> Received: (qmail 5259 invoked by uid 507); 8 Sep 2006 19:17:59 -0000
> 
> Received: by simscan 1.1.0 ppid: 5239, pid: 5245, t: 1.8778s
> 
>          scanners: clamav: 0.86.2/m:34/d:1084 spam: 3.0.4
> 
> Received: from unknown (HELO MXI.occa.state.ok.us) (204.87.111.232)
> 
>   by dellapp02.occa.state.ok.us with SMTP; 8 Sep 2006 19:17:57 -0000
> 
> Received: from mxi2.occa.state.ok.us ([172.16.254.137]) by
> MXI.occa.state.ok.us with Microsoft SMTPSVC(5.0.2195.6713);
> 
>              Fri, 8 Sep 2006 14:21:28 -0500
> 
> Subject: test2
> 
> Date: Fri, 8 Sep 2006 14:21:28 -0500
> 
> Message-ID: <088EFB279DB2A64688EE22B92FBEABA02933 at mxi2.occa.state.ok.us>
> 
> MIME-Version: 1.0
> 
> Content-Type: multipart/alternative;
> 
>             boundary="----_=_NextPart_001_01C6D37B.FB8A5281"
> 
> X-MS-Has-Attach: 
> 
> X-MS-TNEF-Correlator: 
> 
> Thread-Topic: test2
> 
> Content-class: urn:content-classes:message
> 
> Thread-Index: AcbTe/uSwb1jKXUKSdmrljDTvRLHlQ==
> 
> X-MimeOLE: Produced By Microsoft Exchange V6.5.6944.0
> 
> From: "Steve Ingraham" <singraham at okcca.net>
> 
> To: <davidw at okhouse.gov>
> 
> X-OriginalArrivalTime: 08 Sep 2006 19:21:28.0061 (UTC)
> FILETIME=[FB80FAD0:01C6D37B]
> 
> X-Spam-Checker-Version: SpamAssassin 3.0.4 (2005-06-05) on 
> 
>             dellapp02.occa.state.ok.us
> 
> X-Spam-Level: 
> 
> X-Spam-Status: No, score=-1.6 required=3.0 testsºYES_00,HTML_90_100,
> 
>             HTML_MESSAGE autolearn=no version=3.0.4
> 
> X-STA-Metric: 29 (engine2)
> 
> X-STA-NotSpam: oklahoma from:addr:okcca.net test2 steve 405
> 
> X-STA-Spam: <!-->:2**0 header:Message-ID:1 appeals content-type:text/ht
> header:MIME-Version:
> 
> X-BTI-AntiSpam:
> score:0,sta:29/022,dcc:passed,dnsbl:passed,sw:passed,bsn:41/passed,spf:n
> one,dk:off,pbmf:accept/399,ipr:0/3,trusted:no,ts:no,ubl:passed
> 
> Received-SPF: none
> 
> Return-Path: singraham at okcca.net
> 
>  
> 
>  
> 
> In another instance, one of my users attempted to use his AOL account
> from home last night to send an email to his email account here.  A
> rejection notice was bounced back to his AOL account with the following
> information:
> 
>  
> 
>    ----- The following addresses had permanent fatal errors -----
> <lblosser at okcca.net
> <javascript:parent.ComposeTo(%22lblosser%40okcca.net%22,%20%22%22);> >
>  
>    ----- Transcript of session follows -----
> ... while talking to okcca.net.:
> >>> DATA
> <<< 554 Your email is considered spam (1.00 spam-hits)
> 554 <lblosser at okcca.net
> <javascript:parent.ComposeTo(%22lblosser%40okcca.net%22,%20%22%22);>
> >... Service unavailable
> Final-Recipient: RFC822; lblosser at okcca.net
> <javascript:parent.ComposeTo(%22lblosser%40okcca.net%22,%20%22%22);> 
> Action: failed
> Status: 5.0.0
> Remote-MTA: DNS; okcca.net
> Diagnostic-Code: SMTP; 554 Your email is considered spam (1.00
> spam-hits)
> Last-Attempt-Date: Thu, 7 Sep 2006 22:36:05 -0400 (EDT)
> Received: from LendellB at aol.com
> <javascript:parent.ComposeTo(%22LendellB%40aol.com%22,%20%22%22);> 
>     by imo-m24.mx.aol.com (mail_out_v38_r7.6.) id l.bfd.3d7a3e7 (33856)
>      for <lblosser at okcca.net
> <javascript:parent.ComposeTo(%22lblosser%40okcca.net%22,%20%22%22);> >;
> Thu, 7 Sep 2006 22:34:46 -0400 (EDT)
> Return-path: <LendellB at aol.com
> <javascript:parent.ComposeTo(%22LendellB%40aol.com%22,%20%22%22);> >
> From: LendellB at aol.com
> <javascript:parent.ComposeTo(%22LendellB%40aol.com%22,%20%22%22);> 
> Message-ID: <bfd.3d7a3e7.323230c6 at aol.com
> <javascript:parent.ComposeTo(%22bfd.3d7a3e7.323230c6%40aol.com%22,%20%22
> %22);> >
> Date: Thu, 7 Sep 2006 22:34:46 EDT
> Subject: Fwd: FW: this attached file is the packet I sent  I will have a
> 
> official rule...
> To: lblosser at okcca.net
> <javascript:parent.ComposeTo(%22lblosser%40okcca.net%22,%20%22%22);> 
> MIME-Version: 1.0
> Content-Type: multipart/mixed;
> boundary="part1_bfd.3d7a3e7.323230c6_boundary"
> X-Mailer: 9.0 Security Edition for Windows sub 5326
> X-Spam-Flag: NO
> 
>  
> 
> Since changing the MX addresses to the Exchange 2000 machine our spam
> has decreased but I am getting sporadic reports like the two examples
> above from users that some email is not being properly delivered.  Below
> are three of our domain zone configurations for our External DNS server
> running BIND DNS 9.2.4:
> 
>  
> 
> 204.87.111.225 is a Dell Power Edge 1850 Server running Redhat
> Enterprise Linux AS ver 3, BIND DNS 9.2.4, qmailtoaster ver 1.2,
> spamassassin 3.0.4
> 
> 204.87.111.232 is a Windows Advanced Server 2000 running Exchange 2000
> 
>                                     
> 
> IN occa.state.ok.us                                
> 
> Name                                 Type            TTL       Values
> 
> occa.state.ok.us.                   NS            Default  ns
> 
> occa.state.ok.us.                   NS            Default  ns2
> 
> occa.state.ok.us.                   MX            Default  10
> 204.87.111.232
> 
> occa.state.ok.us.                     A            Default
> 204.87.111.225
> 
> localhost.occa.state.ok.us.       A            Default  127.0.0.1
> 
> ns.occa.state.ok.us.                A            Default  204.87.111.225
> 
> ns2.occa.state.ok.us.               A            Default  204.87.111.226
> 
> mxi.occa.state.ok.us.               A            Default  204.87.111.232
> 
> inet1.occa.state.ok.us.             A            Default  204.87.111.228
> 
> mail.occa.state.ok.us.              A            Default  204.87.111.229
> 
> vpn.occa.state.ok.us.               A            Default  204.87.111.233
> 
> www.occa.state.ok.us.            CNAME   Default  inet1
> 
> dellapp02.occa.state.ok.us.      A            Default  204.87.111.225
> 
> mxo.occa.state.ok.us.            CNAME    Default  dellapp02
> 
>                                     
> 
> IN mail.occa.state.ok.us                         
> 
> Name                                                Type         TTL
> Values
> 
> mail.occa.state.ok.us.                          NS          Default  ns
> 
> mail.occa.state.ok.us.                          NS          Default  ns2
> 
> mail.occa.state.ok.us.                          MX          Default  10
> mail
> 
> mail.occa.state.ok.us.                           A           Default
> 204.87.111.225
> 
> ns.okcca.net.                                       A           Default
> 204.87.111.225
> 
> ns2.mail.occa.state.ok.us.                     A           Default
> 204.87.111.226
> 
> mxgateway.mail.occa.state.ok.us.      CNAME     Default  ns.okcca.net.
> 
> mail.mail.occa.state.ok.us.                    A           Default
> 204.87.111.232
> 
> inet1.mail.occa.state.ok.us.                   A           Default
> 204.87.111.228
> 
> mymail.mail.occa.state.ok.us.               A           Default
> 204.87.111.232
> 
> www.mail.occa.state.ok.us.                CNAME    Default
> inet1.okcca.net.
> 
> online.mail.occa.state.ok.us.              CNAME    Default
> inet1.okcca.net.
> 
> okcca.net.                                            A
> Default  204.87.111.225
> 
>                                     
> 
> IN okcca.net                              
> 
> Name                                                Type         TTL
> Values
> 
> okcca.net.                                          NS           Default
> ns
> 
> okcca.net.                                          NS           Default
> ns2
> 
> mail.occa.state.ok.us.                         MX           Default  10
> mail
> 
> mail.occa.state.ok.us.                          A            Default
> 204.87.111.225
> 
> ns.okcca.net.                                      A            Default
> 204.87.111.225
> 
> ns2.okcca.net.                                     A            Default
> 204.87.111.226
> 
> mxgateway.okcca.net.                       CNAME    Default
> ns.okcca.net.
> 
> mail.okcca.net.                                    A            Default
> 204.87.111.232
> 
> inet1.okcca.net.                                   A            Default
> 204.87.111.228
> 
> mymail.okcca.net.                               A            Default
> 204.87.111.232
> 
> www.okcca.net.                                 CNAME    Default
> inet1.okcca.net.
> 
> online.okcca.net.                               CNAME    Default
> inet1.okcca.net.
> 
> okcca.net.                                           A
> Default  204.87.111.225
> 
>  
> 
> I am not sure whether our mail delivery problems are a DNS issue or not.
> I do know that 99% of our mail is delivered without problems. Are there
> some DNS zone configurations listed above that should be changed?  If
> so, I would appreciate some insight on how the IP addresses should be
> set up for the various "Types" if I am directing email to the Exchange
> 2000 server on 204.87.111.232.  I have inherited this system and am
> trying to understand how DNS, email and spam filtering all work
> together.  Any assistance would be appreciated.
> 
>  
> 
> Thanks,
> 
> Steve Ingraham

	You need to ensure that the PTR and A records are
	consistant and that they also match the name emitted
	in the HELO/EHLO of the SMTP transaction.

	You PTR and A records are not consistant.

	Mark

drugs:bind9-gdib 11:21 {729} % dig -x 204.87.111.232

; <<>> DiG 9.3.2-P1 <<>> -x 204.87.111.232
;; global options:  printcmd
;; Got answer:
;; ->>HEADER<<- opcode: QUERY, status: NOERROR, id: 18479
;; flags: qr rd ra; QUERY: 1, ANSWER: 2, AUTHORITY: 2, ADDITIONAL: 0

;; QUESTION SECTION:
;232.111.87.204.in-addr.arpa.   IN      PTR

;; ANSWER SECTION:
232.111.87.204.in-addr.arpa. 259200 IN  PTR     mail.occa.state.ok.us.
232.111.87.204.in-addr.arpa. 259200 IN  PTR     mymail.okcca.net.

;; AUTHORITY SECTION:
232.111.87.204.in-addr.arpa. 86397 IN   NS      ns2.occa.state.ok.us.
232.111.87.204.in-addr.arpa. 86397 IN   NS      ns.occa.state.ok.us.

;; Query time: 3774 msec
;; SERVER: 127.0.0.1#53(127.0.0.1)
;; WHEN: Wed Sep 13 11:21:56 2006
;; MSG SIZE  rcvd: 145

drugs:bind9-gdib 11:21 {730} % dig mail.occa.state.ok.us

; <<>> DiG 9.3.2-P1 <<>> mail.occa.state.ok.us
;; global options:  printcmd
;; Got answer:
;; ->>HEADER<<- opcode: QUERY, status: NOERROR, id: 35360
;; flags: qr rd ra; QUERY: 1, ANSWER: 1, AUTHORITY: 2, ADDITIONAL: 0

;; QUESTION SECTION:
;mail.occa.state.ok.us.         IN      A

;; ANSWER SECTION:
mail.occa.state.ok.us.  86400   IN      A       204.87.111.225

;; AUTHORITY SECTION:
occa.state.ok.us.       86382   IN      NS      dns2.occa.state.ok.us.
occa.state.ok.us.       86382   IN      NS      dns.occa.state.ok.us.

;; Query time: 599 msec
;; SERVER: 127.0.0.1#53(127.0.0.1)
;; WHEN: Wed Sep 13 11:22:11 2006
;; MSG SIZE  rcvd: 92

drugs:bind9-gdib 11:22 {731} % dig mymail.okcca.net

; <<>> DiG 9.3.2-P1 <<>> mymail.okcca.net
;; global options:  printcmd
;; Got answer:
;; ->>HEADER<<- opcode: QUERY, status: NOERROR, id: 52995
;; flags: qr rd ra; QUERY: 1, ANSWER: 1, AUTHORITY: 2, ADDITIONAL: 0

;; QUESTION SECTION:
;mymail.okcca.net.              IN      A

;; ANSWER SECTION:
mymail.okcca.net.       86400   IN      A       204.87.111.232

;; AUTHORITY SECTION:
okcca.net.              138306  IN      NS      ns2.okcca.net.
okcca.net.              138306  IN      NS      ns.okcca.net.

;; Query time: 247 msec
;; SERVER: 127.0.0.1#53(127.0.0.1)
;; WHEN: Wed Sep 13 11:22:24 2006
;; MSG SIZE  rcvd: 85

drugs:bind9-gdib 11:22 {732} % 
--
ISC Training!  October 16-20, 2006, in the San Francisco Bay Area,
covering topics from DNS to DHCP.  Email training at isc.org.
-- 
Mark Andrews, ISC
1 Seymour St., Dundas Valley, NSW 2117, Australia
PHONE: +61 2 9871 4742                 INTERNET: Mark_Andrews at isc.org



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