Need help understanding DKIM / SPF

webmasteryoda

Well-Known Member
Apr 3, 2013
98
7
58
Serbia
cPanel Access Level
Root Administrator
All of my domains are registered with internet provider in Serbia (Orion Telekom). And internet provider allows me to change all of my DNS zones, so I can easily configure all of my domains.

All of my web sites and email server are hosted in Germany (Contabo). So, when I enable DKIM / SPF, cpanel creates DNS zones at Contabo.

So, my questions are:
1. How to setup DKIM / SPF DNS zones to properly function?
2. Do I have to copy Contabo txt records to Orion Telekom and which values?
3. "SPF enable" creates txt with IP address at Contabo "v=spf1 +a +mx +ip4:xx.xx.xx.xx?all". Do I have to copy this value to Orion Telekom (domain provider) or do I have to change it to match the one at domain provider?
4. Do I have to delete some of these records? At domain or hosting provider?
 
Last edited:

cPanelMichael

Administrator
Staff member
Apr 11, 2011
47,880
2,268
463
Hello :)

You can create SPF and DKIM records via the "Email Authentication" option within cPanel. SPF Records and DKIM are only effective if enabled on the authoritative DNS server for the zone. Thus, you will have to copy the DNS records that are created on the cPanel server to the zone on the remote DNS server. You can copy the records as they are created on the cPanel server. You do not have to modify or remove them.

Thank you.
 

webmasteryoda

Well-Known Member
Apr 3, 2013
98
7
58
Serbia
cPanel Access Level
Root Administrator
Thank you very much for your response.

Now I understand the way that these authentication methods work.

I have one more question. What about DomainKeys authentication of the emails. Is it deprecated over DKIM and if not how do I setup this method on cPanel?

Thanks in advance
 

cPanelMichael

Administrator
Staff member
Apr 11, 2011
47,880
2,268
463
Yes, cPanel & WHM's previous DomainKeys implementation was converted to DKIM in cPanel version 11.32. cPanel recommends using the DKIM method of email authentication.

Thank you.