email forwarding not working at all

[mahmoud73]

hi. spam assasin is DISabled.
Yet still the forwarders on my site are not working.
I thought this might be related somehow to incorrect transfer from another server.

I created a new forwarder..... it does not work.

I checked everything else...... emails are not forwarded at all.

any advice ? where should I start checking ?

[cPanelTristan]

Hello mahmoud73,

Do you have access to root SSH to check the exim logs? If you do, then you could try the following to check what is happening in regards to the forwarder:

exigrep email@domain.com /var/log/exim_mainlog

Replace email@domain.com with the email address that sent the email to the account that should have been forwarded or the email address that should have received it before forwarding.

Next, you could also check the forwarder is properly owned and setup for that domain:

cd /etc/valiases
ls -lah domain.com
cat domain.com

Here, replace domain.com with the domain where you are adding the forwarder. You should see the file owned by username:mail when you do the ls -lah domain.com. If the file is not owned by username:mail, then you would need to change the ownership.

If you do not have access to root SSH on the machine, then try creating a new email account on that same account and then adding a forwarder for it to see the results. You will likely need to have your hosting provider look at the forwarder issue if you don't have root SSH, since they need to view the logs I've mentioned and the forwarder file.

Finally, just to be clear also on this, you are indeed able to add forwarders, right? It is only once they successfully add as forwarders that they then do not work?

Thanks.

[mahmoud73]

thank you very much for your kind help.

I have root access to my VPS.

Here is the output. Kindly help.

exigrep username1@mydomain.org /var/log/exim_mainlog

root@vps [~]# exigrep username1@mydomain.org /var/log/exim_mainlog
2010-10-11 05:10:38 1P58mc-00040W-0T <= noreply@mydomain.org U=mydomain P=local S=20497 id=4cb2802de653b@mydomain.org
2010-10-11 05:10:38 1P58mc-00040W-0T lowest numbered MX record points to local host: mydomain.org
2010-10-11 05:10:38 1P58mc-00040W-0T == username1@mydomain.org R=lookuphost defer (-1): lowest numbered MX record points to local host
2010-10-11 05:10:38 1P58mc-00040W-0T ** username1@mydomain.org: retry timeout exceeded
2010-10-11 05:10:39 1P58mc-00040W-0T Completed

2010-10-11 10:50:59 lowest numbered MX record points to local host: mydomain.org (while verifying <username1@mydomain.org> from host mail-qw0-f47.google.com [209.85.216.47])

2010-10-11 10:50:59 H=mail-qw0-f47.google.com [209.85.216.47] F=<usernname2@gmail.com> temporarily rejected RCPT <username1@mydomain.org>: lowest numbered MX record points to local host

2010-10-11 10:51:20 lowest numbered MX record points to local host: mydomain.org (while verifying <username1@mydomain.org> from host outmail008.snc1.tfbnw.net (mx-out.facebook.com) [69.63.178.167])

2010-10-11 10:51:20 H=outmail008.snc1.tfbnw.net (mx-out.facebook.com) [69.63.178.167] F=<confirm+AY2FwdGFpbkBzYWZlZW5hLm9yZw@facebookmail.com> temporarily rejected RCPT <username1@mydomain.org>: lowest numbered MX record points to local host

2010-10-11 10:51:20 lowest numbered MX record points to local host: mydomain.org (while verifying <username1@mydomain.org> from host outappmail001.snc4.facebook.com (mx-out.facebook.com) [66.220.144.155])

2010-10-11 10:51:20 H=outappmail001.snc4.facebook.com (mx-out.facebook.com) [66.220.144.155] F=<update+zrdov1ll=icf@facebookmail.com> temporarily rejected RCPT <username1@mydomain.org>: lowest numbered MX record points to local host

2010-10-11 10:56:24 lowest numbered MX record points to local host: mydomain.org (while verifying <username1@mydomain.org> from host outappmail001.snc4.facebook.com (mx-out.facebook.com) [66.220.144.155])

2010-10-11 10:56:24 H=outappmail001.snc4.facebook.com (mx-out.facebook.com) [66.220.144.155] F=<update+zrdov1ll=icf@facebookmail.com> temporarily rejected RCPT <username1@mydomain.org>: lowest numbered MX record points to local host

2010-10-11 10:56:24 lowest numbered MX record points to local host: mydomain.org (while verifying <username1@mydomain.org> from host outmail002.snc1.tfbnw.net (mx-out.facebook.com) [69.63.178.161])

2010-10-11 10:56:24 H=outmail002.snc1.tfbnw.net (mx-out.facebook.com) [69.63.178.161] F=<confirm+AY2FwdGFpbkBzYWZlZW5hLm9yZw@facebookmail.com> temporarily rejected RCPT <username1@mydomain.org>: lowest numbered MX record points to local host

2010-10-11 10:56:29 lowest numbered MX record points to local host: mydomain.org (while verifying <username1@mydomain.org> from host mail-qy0-f175.google.com [209.85.216.175])

2010-10-11 10:56:29 H=mail-qy0-f175.google.com [209.85.216.175] F=<usernname2@gmail.com> temporarily rejected RCPT <username1@mydomain.org>: lowest numbered MX record points to local host

2010-10-11 10:57:21 lowest numbered MX record points to local host: mydomain.org (while verifying <username1@mydomain.org> from host mail-qw0-f47.google.com [209.85.216.47])

2010-10-11 10:57:21 H=mail-qw0-f47.google.com [209.85.216.47] F=<usernname2@gmail.com> temporarily rejected RCPT <username1@mydomain.org>: lowest numbered MX record points to local host

2010-10-11 10:57:49 lowest numbered MX record points to local host: mydomain.org (while verifying <username1@mydomain.org> from host mail-qw0-f47.google.com [209.85.216.47])

2010-10-11 10:57:49 H=mail-qw0-f47.google.com [209.85.216.47] F=<usernname2@gmail.com> temporarily rejected RCPT <username1@mydomain.org>: lowest numbered MX record points to local host

2010-10-11 10:58:19 lowest numbered MX record points to local host: mydomain.org (while verifying <username1@mydomain.org> from host outmail026.snc1.tfbnw.net (mx-out.facebook.com) [69.63.178.185])

2010-10-11 10:58:19 H=outmail026.snc1.tfbnw.net (mx-out.facebook.com) [69.63.178.185] F=<confirm+AY2FwdGFpbkBzYWZlZW5hLm9yZw@facebookmail.com> temporarily rejected RCPT <username1@mydomain.org>: lowest numbered MX record points to local host

2010-10-11 10:58:25 lowest numbered MX record points to local host: mydomain.org (while verifying <username1@mydomain.org> from host outmail021.snc4.facebook.com (mx-out.facebook.com) [66.220.144.153])

2010-10-11 10:58:25 H=outmail021.snc4.facebook.com (mx-out.facebook.com) [66.220.144.153] F=<confirm+AY2FwdGFpbkBzYWZlZW5hLm9yZw@facebookmail.com> temporarily rejected RCPT <username1@mydomain.org>: lowest numbered MX record points to local host

2010-10-11 11:00:31 lowest numbered MX record points to local host: mydomain.org (while verifying <username1@mydomain.org> from host outappmail001.snc4.facebook.com (mx-out.facebook.com) [66.220.144.155])

2010-10-11 11:00:31 H=outappmail001.snc4.facebook.com (mx-out.facebook.com) [66.220.144.155] F=<update+zrdov1ll=icf@facebookmail.com> temporarily rejected RCPT <username1@mydomain.org>: lowest numbered MX record points to local host

2010-10-11 11:02:33 lowest numbered MX record points to local host: mydomain.org (while verifying <username1@mydomain.org> from host mail-qw0-f47.google.com [209.85.216.47])

2010-10-11 11:02:33 H=mail-qw0-f47.google.com [209.85.216.47] F=<usernname2@gmail.com> temporarily rejected RCPT <username1@mydomain.org>: lowest numbered MX record points to local host

2010-10-11 11:03:22 lowest numbered MX record points to local host: mydomain.org (while verifying <username1@mydomain.org> from host outmail018.snc1.tfbnw.net (mx-out.facebook.com) [69.63.178.177])

2010-10-11 11:03:22 H=outmail018.snc1.tfbnw.net (mx-out.facebook.com) [69.63.178.177] F=<confirm+AY2FwdGFpbkBzYWZlZW5hLm9yZw@facebookmail.com> temporarily rejected RCPT <username1@mydomain.org>: lowest numbered MX record points to local host

2010-10-11 11:03:28 lowest numbered MX record points to local host: mydomain.org (while verifying <username1@mydomain.org> from host outmail022.snc4.facebook.com (mx-out.facebook.com) [66.220.144.154])

2010-10-11 11:03:28 H=outmail022.snc4.facebook.com (mx-out.facebook.com) [66.220.144.154] F=<confirm+AY2FwdGFpbkBzYWZlZW5hLm9yZw@facebookmail.com> temporarily rejected RCPT <username1@mydomain.org>: lowest numbered MX record points to local host

2010-10-11 11:05:34 lowest numbered MX record points to local host: mydomain.org (while verifying <username1@mydomain.org> from host outappmail001.snc4.facebook.com (mx-out.facebook.com) [66.220.144.155])

2010-10-11 11:05:34 H=outappmail001.snc4.facebook.com (mx-out.facebook.com) [66.220.144.155] F=<update+zrdov1ll=icf@facebookmail.com> temporarily rejected RCPT <username1@mydomain.org>: lowest numbered MX record points to local host

2010-10-11 11:06:26 lowest numbered MX record points to local host: mydomain.org (while verifying <username1@mydomain.org> from host outappmail001.snc4.facebook.com (mx-out.facebook.com) [66.220.144.155])

2010-10-11 11:06:26 H=outappmail001.snc4.facebook.com (mx-out.facebook.com) [66.220.144.155] F=<update+zrdov1ll=icf@facebookmail.com> temporarily rejected RCPT <username1@mydomain.org>: lowest numbered MX record points to local host

2010-10-11 11:06:27 lowest numbered MX record points to local host: mydomain.org (while verifying <username1@mydomain.org> from host outmail024.snc1.tfbnw.net (mx-out.facebook.com) [69.63.178.183])

2010-10-11 11:06:27 H=outmail024.snc1.tfbnw.net (mx-out.facebook.com) [69.63.178.183] F=<confirm+AY2FwdGFpbkBzYWZlZW5hLm9yZw@facebookmail.com> temporarily rejected RCPT <username1@mydomain.org>: lowest numbered MX record points to local host

[mahmoud73]

BTW, I am sure the issue is not domain specific, as I tried to set forwarders for many addresses on many domains, and all failed.

[cPanelTristan]

That "lowest record points to localhost" error normally indicates the domain in question is in /etc/localdomains when it probably should be in /etc/remotedomains file. The /etc/localdomains file is for domains on the machine using the MX on the machine, while the /etc/remotedomains file is for domains that have off server MX records.

[mahmoud73]

That "lowest record points to localhost" error normally indicates the domain in question is in /etc/localdomains when it probably should be in /etc/remotedomains file. The /etc/localdomains file is for domains on the machine using the MX on the machine, while the /etc/remotedomains file is for domains that have off server MX records.

OK Danielle.

I edited /etc/localdomains and removed all of my domains from that. left the file blank.

I edited /etc/remotedomains and added all of my domains to it. one occurance of each domain.

I restarted exim.

Waiting for exim to restart..............finished.

exim (/usr/sbin/exim -bd -q60m) running as mailnull with PID 27700

exim started ok


created a new forward. Did not working.

redid an exigrep....... no change.

[cPanelTristan]

You wouldn't want to remove all of your domains from /etc/localdomains if some are using MX (email) pointing to your machine.

I only meant to move any domain that isn't using MX on the machine if it was in /etc/localdomains file, so please re-add the domains using local MX records that should be pointing to the machines to /etc/localdomains and only place domains with remote MX (not using the machine for email) into /etc/remotedomains

No email will work at all if you've removed those domains from /etc/localdomains that should be using email on your machine and have the MX pointed to your machine.

At this point, please open a ticket. Since you do have root access, you can open the ticket in WHM > Support Center > Contact cPanel

[mahmoud73]

You wouldn't want to remove all of your domains from /etc/localdomains if some are using MX (email) pointing to your machine.

I only meant to move any domain that isn't using MX on the machine if it was in /etc/localdomains file, so please re-add the domains using local MX records that should be pointing to the machines to /etc/localdomains and only place domains with remote MX (not using the machine for email) into /etc/remotedomains

No email will work at all if you've removed those domains from /etc/localdomains that should be using email on your machine and have the MX pointed to your machine.

At this point, please open a ticket. Since you do have root access, you can open the ticket in WHM > Support Center > Contact cPanel

Danielle, Why would I want MX Records to be on local machine ?
All of my domains are alike, so why only a few of them would appear in the localdomains ?

I do have root access to my vps. please check above when I reported

"root@vps [~]# exigrep username1@mydomain.org /var/log/exim_mainlog"

[cPanelTristan]

Since you aren't able to indicate the actual domain name for us to see to troubleshoot on the forum for privacy reasons, it's difficult to tell why it isn't working at this point.

It's also difficult to know if the domains on your machine are using the MX locally (pointed to your machine) or remotely without seeing the server setup and knowing what domains you have to do digs on their MX and A records.

Again, so we can actually assist in figuring out what is going on for the server for these forwarders, please open a ticket so we can get those details for the actual test account to use and see what is happening. Please reference this forum thread in the ticket. You can either use the link in my signature for submitting a ticket or WHM > Support Center > Contact cPanel

Of note, to know if a domain is locally set to use mail or remotely set to use mail, you'd do the following for that set domain:

dig mx domain.com +short

If the domain's mx record returns domain.com, and the domain's A record is your machine's A record, then the domain is locally using mail for your machine. If the domain's mx returns anything other than domain.com, then you'd have to dig the return to see the IP for it:

dig +short somethingelse.com

Since I don't know the domains on your machine and I don't know your machine's IP, I cannot say if your domains are using MX (mail records) locally or remotely.

[mahmoud73]

Since you aren't able to indicate the actual domain name for us to see to troubleshoot on the forum for privacy reasons, it's difficult to tell why it isn't working at this point.

It's also difficult to know if the domains on your machine are using the MX locally (pointed to your machine) or remotely without seeing the server setup and knowing what domains you have to do digs on their MX and A records.

Again, so we can actually assist in figuring out what is going on for the server for these forwarders, please open a ticket so we can get those details for the actual test account to use and see what is happening. Please reference this forum thread in the ticket. You can either use the link in my signature for submitting a ticket or WHM > Support Center > Contact cPanel

ok am creating one right away