Configure External DNS Exchange 2016
After installing Exchange Server 2016, the next step is to configure external DNS in Exchange 2016. It’s important to keep the same namespace internal and external. We will log into the public DNS and create the records for Exchange 2016. In this article, you will learn how to configure external DNS in Exchange 2016.
Important: Read the article Exchange 2016 namespace design and planning before you go further.
Information Public DNS Exchange 2016
There are three records that we are going to add in the public DNS. With regard to the values, you should only enter an IP address for the A record. The MX record and the CNAME (alias) should point to the DNS name of the A record for the Exchange server. In this way, if your IP address changed due to changing Internet Service Providers, you would only need to update the A record.
1 2 3 4 5 | Record Type TTL DNS Name Priority Value ----------- --- -------- -------- ----- A 300 mail.exoip.com 73.122.35.127 CNAME 300 autodiscover.exoip.com mail.exoip.com. MX 300 @ 0 mail.exoip.com. |
An architecture view of the Exchange 2016 namespace is shown below in the diagram.
Create Public DNS records
Log into your external DNS registrar. Configure the records.
Check the Public DNS records
Let’s make use of the Resolve-DnsName cmdlet to verify the MX record, A record, and the autodiscover record. Run PowerShell as administrator. Make use of the Resolve-DnsName cmdlet and the -Server parameter. The -Server parameter will resolve the name against the Google DNS servers. We can check the Public DNS records on the LAN or on any external network.
Note: Don’t immediately resolve the external DNS records, as that will not work. The changes have not been reflected by the servers around the world. Give it a maximum of an hour as the DNS propagation will need time.
Check MX record
Verify the MX record.
1 2 3 4 5 | PS C:\> Resolve-DnsName -Type MX exoip.com -Server 8.8.8.8 | Format-Table -AutoSize Name Type TTL Section NameExchange Preference ---- ---- --- ------- ------------ ---------- exoip.com MX 300 Answer mail.exoip.com 0 |
Check A record
Let’s have a look at the public A record.
1 2 3 4 5 | PS C:\> Resolve-DnsName -Type A mail.exoip.com -Server 8.8.8.8 | Format-Table -AutoSize Name Type TTL Section IPAddress ---- ---- --- ------- --------- mail.exoip.com A 300 Answer 73.122.35.127 |
Check autodiscover record
As of last, let’s check the public autodiscover record.
1 2 3 4 5 | PS C:\> Resolve-DnsName -Type TXT autodiscover.exoip.com -Server 8.8.8.8 | Format-Table -AutoSize Name Type TTL Section NameHost ---- ---- --- ------- -------- autodiscover.exoip.com CNAME 300 Answer mail.exoip.com |
Conclusion
In this article, you learned how to configure External DNS in Exchange 2016. Add the three records to your public DNS and verify that you can resolve the external DNS records. Don’t forget that it can take a little time before you can resolve the DNS. Did you enjoy this article? You may also like Configure internal DNS Exchange 2016. Don’t forget to follow us and share this article.
