Mail migration for hosted domain name

[#1]

You might want to edit that image , your domain isnt redacted in one place.

The image isnt approved yet so isnt public.

[#2]

It looks like the Plusnet DNS has disabled internal email acceptance due to the 'other' setting but hasn't propagated the new MX records. Have you tried adding the MX records again, since the 'other' box was checked ?

[#3]

I have redone the MX settings but the lookup remains the same after 10 minutes - as attached

[#4]

I wonder if the additional DNS records are processed by the same script that's used to handle the 'please-add-spf-records' in which case it only runs every 6 hours!.

TBH the Plusnet DNS control is not very good. If you need the email delivery back for your domain, then I suggest changing the email setting back to POP3 for the time being.

Meanwhile I'll try tagging someone who might help explain why the changes didnt work

@bobpullen can you advise why this didnt work and what's the correct procedure ?

[#5]

Thanks MisterW.  I have restored the email setting to POP3 as suggested to allow send & receipt of the emails via plusnet (this is now working again).

 I'll await further inout from the community.

P

[#6]

That's good to hear.

For the time being, Keep an eye on the DNS to see if the additional MX records appear

[#7]

OK.  I removed the MX records for the Mythical Beasts email from the Plusnet config page just so that we are starting from fresh.  I shall not make any further stepwise changes unless instructed to do so.

P

[#8]

Hi MisterW

I have exchanged emails with Mythic Beasts about this problem.  They have looked at the DNS settings that they can see and have confirmed that even if I use the MX records to point to MB that will not resolve the issue.  Here is their response that will need picking up by someone in Plusnet to assist:

As for sending e-mail, that needs SPF/DKIM records that also need configuring which have to be done the same way. (Currently, the Plusnet SPF record prevents all but their systems from sending e-mail from your domain)

The SPF record should be as follows:
v=spf1 include:_spf.mythic-beasts.com ~all
For DKIM, see our documentation: https://www.mythic-beasts.com/support/hosting/mail/spf

Though, with all that said I would strongly suggest pointing your domain at our nameservers if you're intending on moving to us anyway as that means we can provide much more useful support. If you do this, please tell us and we can get e-mail set up for you.

[#9]

There are two separate considerations - where are emails received to and the other by where may they be sent.

Within the transition being considered here, there no reason why MB cannot be the receiving mail server and Plusnet the sending server.  The MX record points to the receiving service; the client determines how the sending is managed.  Left and right hand options are not ideal.

You cannot control the DNS settings in the Plusnet space.  Frankly the most pragmatic approach here is to bite the bullet and move the domain registration first.  That moves control of the domain to elsewhere (MB) whilst (until you’re ready) leaving the name server with Plusnet and they hosting the services.

You might find the use of IMAP synch tools useful as well.

[#10]

@PeterC3PO 

I escalated this thread yesterday and whilst I've had an initial staff input, I'm wating for a definitive reply. The initial reply seems to indicate that the mechanism to add additional MX records using the Plusnet DNS no longer works as described.

Unless we get a more positive response today, then I have to agree with @Townman , the best way forward is to bite the bullet and request the domain is transferred to MB. Once the transfer completes, the namservers and thus DNS can be controlled from the MB account and SPF , DKIM etc can be simply and automatically enabled. The down side is that the nameserver switch can take between 24 & 48 hrs to propagate and during this time some email will still be directed at Plusnet. Since the domain is no longer hosted by Plusnet, its unclear what happens to this email!

Again as @Townman mentions, if you use IMAP, then you need to consider transfer of historic email from the Plusnet servers to MB. When I've done this in the past, I've used https://imapsync.lamiral.info/ . There's a free online tool which can transfer up to 3GB or if you have access a Linux system it can can installed locally for free. Reading the example migration plan here https://imapsync.lamiral.info/FAQ.d/FAQ.Migration_Plan.txt is definitely worth while...  

[#11]

Thanks both

I have tried making the MX record changes again with the loss of ability to receive emails once again.  Time to bite the bullet.  I want to transfer the domain.  Do I need to call Plusnet to do this or is there any direct way to get to the sparse remaining true technical support that may still be available?

Peter

[#12]

The call centre should be able to raise a request to change the ISPTAG.  Do not be persuaded that it cannot be done or you can do it yourself.

[#13]

@PeterC3PO I'm sorry we couldn't get clearer information on the mail migration possibilities.

As I said above, its unclear what happens to domain email in the Plusnet system once the domain registration is transferrred. Once the transfer is accepted by Plusnet, then I suggest you monitor it for completion in the MB system and as soon as it completes, switch the nameservers to the MB ones. That should minimise any period for which mail might still be directed at Plusnet.

Do let us know how the transfer goes.

NB If you need any help with the MB system , then either post on here or feel free to PM me if that's more appropriate.

[#14]

Thanks MisterW

Just got off the phone to Plusnet support.  Apparently the expected working time for Plusnet to achieve this is 5-7 working days - according to the man who emailed the back end team!!  I'm looking forward to escaping this poor level of service.

P

[#15]

That’s the standard response to all NetOps requests.  It’s difficult to understand why these small administrative tasks take so long to deliver.

@James_B do you have insight here please?  If this is a simple matter of the queue length can a step action be found to just get the queue cleared so that ISPTAG changes / rDNS changes / mailbox restores do not need to wait so long?  The forum staff used to be able to initiate the mailbox restore system … so it’s not as though these tasks can only be done by Net Ops.