Filed with Developers Google Apps Gmail Integration [Case 44284]

[cPanelDavidG]

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Important: We NEVER create an html file or a CNAME record for verification because Google also uses the MX Records to do the verification. Servers of Google are fast and domains get verified in less than a minute just with MX records (and maybe also with mail.customer_domain.com CNAME ghs.google.com).

We do it ONLY IF someone has changed the alternate / default (admin) email Id at Google Apps and it becomes a necessity to regain control of the Google Apps account.

I am unable to locate any documentation from Google that confirms this. Looking at their official FAQ for this, relying on MX records for verification isn't an official way of doing this:

Verify domain ownership - Google Apps Help

If this was something Google would be officially supporting long-term, that'd be great since it makes this functionality easier for everyone to implement. However, relying on undocumented functionality will inevitably result in unexpected breakages of functionality.

@cPanelDavidG: Google displays 7 MX records, whereas you have mentioned only 5.

Thanks for the head's up.

@cPanelDavidG: Both mail and webmail don't have to point to Google Apps as we can use only one there for accessing emails.
The following 4 would do.

I only mention webmail. because it would be confusing for novices to allow access to Horde et. al. when mail is actually not being handled by those apps but by Google. Also, for a small business, maybe they switch over to Google Apps but got distracted while their staff are still going to webmail.* to login - it'd serve to prevent accidents .

@cPanelDavidG:SPF record is also a must.

Good catch!

[allmydomains]

However, relying on undocumented functionality will inevitably result in unexpected breakages of functionality.

I understand your concern regarding the verification process and it takes just about a minute to create an html file or add an "A" Record .. but we do it without this step .. all the time .. everyday. Thanks to Google, we have never had any issue with this even after 3+ years of usage.

To be on the safe side, I would suggest that everyone should do as required by Google, but give it a try sometime (as we do it). Once the domain is verified with just the MX records, the service will work seamlessly, without any disruption.

[cPanelDavidG]

Seems like we're getting down to the nitty gritty, but please review the below report to ensure it reflects what you are looking for before I submit this to our developers.

Easy Switch to Google Apps

Background
By Google Apps, this request is referring to Google Apps for Domains. This is sometimes referred to in the forum thread as "Gmail" or "Google Mail." This is not in reference to @gmail.com or @googlemail.com addresses, but rather those who use Google Apps for Domains for their domains.

Summary

Add an icon to the cPanel interface where users can enter a screen to click a button to easily switch from using cPanel/WHM's mail services to using Google Apps. This icon should be available in Feature Manager since not all hosting providers desire to offer this functionality and some providers prefer to upsell customers to this functionality.

Multiple Domains
A user should be welcome to set one or more of their domains to use Google Apps and still use cPanel/WHM email functionality for other domains not setup to use Google Apps.

Google Apps XOR cPanel/WHM Mail Functionality
A single domain can be setup to use Google Apps or cPanel/WHM's email functionality. Once a domain is setup to use Google Apps, all cPanel/WHM-related mail functionality for that domain should be disabled/hidden.

What should this icon do to set an account to use Google Apps?
First, it must inform users that using this functionality requires a Google Apps account, which one can register at: Welcome to Google Apps

This icon should also handle the modification of the appropriate DNS entries automatically since many customers are unfamiliar with DNS editing and the cPanel interface is conducive to users not needing to be familiar with such technical details. Before applying these changes to MX records, a recipient verification callout should be performed to ensure mail is being handled properly, otherwise don't switch the account to Google Apps and inform the user why this failed. This editing of DNS entries includes the setting up of MX entires and the other non-MX entries required for Google Apps to function.

MX entries are as follows:

1 ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
5 ALT1.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
5 ALT2.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
10 ASPMX2.GOOGLEMAIL.COM
10 ASPMX3.GOOGLEMAIL.COM
10 aspmx4.googlemail.com.
10 aspmx5.googlemail.com.

Be sure to include relevant SPF, DomainKeys etc. entries to reflect mail is being handled by Google Apps.

CName entries needed (assuming the domain in cPanel is example.com and the assigned CNAME assigned to the user is ghs.google.com) are as follows

mail.example.com. CNAME ghs.google.com.
webmail.example.com. CNAME ghs.google.com.
docs.example.com. CNAME ghs.google.com.
calendar.example.com. CNAME ghs.google.com.

This icon needs to also accept the CNAME the user is strongly encouraged to add for confirming ownership of the domain, supplied by Google. There is anecdotal evidence saying this step is not required if the MX entries are set, but this is not among the documented methods for confirming domain ownership: Verify domain ownership - Google Apps Help

[textbox to accept the jibberish from Google].[drop-down: domains on the cPanel account]. CNAME example.google.com.

Once the cPanel user switches to Google Apps, it is up to the cPanel user to manage all of their email via Google Apps.


Wishlist items

To completely eliminate confusion, when Google Apps is enabled, requests specifically to /webmail, example.com:2095 and example.com:2096 should redirect to webmail.example.com (which is setup to point to the Google Apps servers, per above proposal). These should all be restored to regular cPanel/WHM functionality once Google Apps is disabled.

Vendor Non-Exclusivity

While Google Apps is a start, it is preferred that we be forward-thinking with this functionality and be able to easily accommodate other similar services as they become popular. Perhaps a simple plugin architecture should be made available for others looking to integrate their own third party mail hosting offerings into cPanel.

[allmydomains]

Vendor Non-Exclusivity

While Google Apps is a start, it is preferred that we be forward-thinking with this functionality and be able to easily accommodate other similar services as they become popular. Perhaps a simple plugin architecture should be made available for others looking to integrate their own third party mail hosting offerings into cPanel.

Google Apps (Google) has started (sometimes) initial verification, before displaying the Dashboard, through TXT Record also.
Please add a provision for this as well.

Google does Not show MX Priority as 1, 5, 5, 10, 10, 10, 10 anymore. It is now as shown as below.

MX entries are as follows:

10 aspmx.l.google.com.
20 alt1.aspmx.l.google.com.
20 alt2.aspmx.l.google.com.
30 aspmx2.googlemail.com.
30 aspmx3.googlemail.com.
30 aspmx4.googlemail.com.
30 aspmx5.googlemail.com.

Another similar service is Windows Live Admin Center. If I am Not wrong, this uses SRV Record for verification/configuration.

[str3ss]

This looks like a good place to start.

As a point of reference —*perhaps you've already seen this — is this article from the Google Blog

Official Google Blog: Google services now available at your hosting control panel

The Plesk add-on for Google Services is incorporating search and other Google Services.

Having the ability to add Google Apps and Services to our hosting account via cPanel will help small hosts and resellers add value and remain competitive with commodity hosting companies. Also, offloading MX duties to Google's servers removes a huge load and will allow cPanel operators to have time to serve clients in other ways.

Can't wait to see this available in cPanel!

[cPanelDavidG]

I have submitted this request to the developers, including the notes from posts since my last call for comments.

I will update this thread with an ETA once one becomes available.

[BrooksBridges]

Any movement on this? It's been a few months now.

[cPanelDavidG]

Any movement on this? It's been a few months now.

There are no updates about this specific feature request at this time.

[kalid]

Hello. I already developed a plugin of google apps for mail, any interested on see it on "live", please send me a PM with his email

[texo]

Kalid has let me test his plugin by trying it out on his server, and it works really well! A nice and simple, one-click install of the MX records and webmail CNAME.

I think that it's a "must-have" addition, and it will certainly save me a LOT of time adding these records for clients who seem to be unable to master the complexities of editing their own MX records

I'm not sure if it adds the SPF/Domainkeys entries, but I'm sure that can be easily added?

[kalid]

Hello.

Thanks! I'm not very familiar with SPF and DK, but I'll keep in mind to improve the plugin
Also, I already added "docs" as you requested! Check it again, please.

Thanks!

[blaaze1]

hi i have developed a google apps plugin for cpanel, anyone interested can pm me with their email address and i will forward the details

[markb14391]

hi i have developed a google apps plugin for cpanel, anyone interested can pm me with their email address and i will forward the details

Hi, I'd be interested in learning more about your Google Apps plugin. What will the price be?

EDIT: PM coming too.

[nixgurus]

any update on this case?

[cPanelDavidG]

any update on this case?

This feature remains in the planning stages.