---
title: Forwarding Mailcow through MXRoute
description: Maintaining reputation
published: true
date: 2026-02-20T04:10:37.730Z
tags: 
editor: markdown
dateCreated: 2026-02-15T01:42:12.478Z
---

# MXroute as Forwarder for Mailcow

## Overview
Configuration guide for setting up MXroute as an email forwarder for Mailcow-hosted domains.

---

## Mailcow Configuration

### 1. Create Domain
1. Navigate to Mailcow admin panel → Domains
2. Add new domain
3. Select the previously created sender-dependent transport
4. Record the generated DKIM key

### 2. Add DKIM Key
- Configure DKIM for both Mailcow and MXroute
- Use different selectors for each (e.g., `default` for Mailcow, `mxroute` for MXroute)

---

## DNS Configuration

### Required DNS Records

#### A Record
```
mail.yourdomain.com → [Your Mailcow Server IP]
```

#### MX Record
```
yourdomain.com → hermes.netgrimoire.com (Priority: 10)
```

#### CNAME Records
```
imap.yourdomain.com → mail.yourdomain.com
smtp.yourdomain.com → mail.yourdomain.com
webmail.yourdomain.com → mail.yourdomain.com
autodiscover.yourdomain.com → mail.yourdomain.com
autoconfig.yourdomain.com → mail.yourdomain.com
```

#### TXT Records

**SPF Record**
```
v=spf1 ip4:192.168.5.16 ip4:24.249.193.115 include:mxroute.com -all
```

**DMARC Record** (`_dmarc.yourdomain.com`)
```
v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:admin@netgrimoire.com
```

**DKIM Record** (`default._domainkey.yourdomain.com`)
```
v=DKIM1; t=s; p=[YOUR_PUBLIC_KEY]
```

---

## Example: gnarlypandaproductions.com

| Record Type | Name | Value |
|-------------|------|-------|
| MX | @ | hermes.netgrimoire.com (Priority: 10) |
| A | mail | [Mailcow Server IP] |
| CNAME | webmail | mail.gnarlypandaproductions.com |
| CNAME | imap | mail.gnarlypandaproductions.com |
| CNAME | smtp | mail.gnarlypandaproductions.com |
| CNAME | roundcube | roundcube.netgrimoire.com |
| TXT | @ | v=spf1 ip4:192.168.4.11 ip4:24.249.193.114 include:mxroute.com -all |
| TXT | _dmarc | v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:admin@gnarlypandaproductions.com |
| TXT | default._domainkey | v=DKIM1; t=s; p=MIIBIjANBgkqhkiG9w0BAQEFAAOCAQ8AMIIBCgKCAQEA3D3vyPoBHB4eMSMq8HygVWHzYbketRX4yjk9wV4bdaar0/c89dK230FMOW6zVXEsY1sXKFk1kBxerHVw0wY8qnQyooHgINEQcEXrtB/x93Sl/cqBQXk+PHOIOymQwgni8WCUhCSnvunxXK8qX5f9J56qzd0/wpY2WSEHho+XrnQjc+c7HMvkcC3+nKJe59ZNgvQW/Y9B/L6zFDjAp+QOUYp9wwX4L+j1T4fQSygYxAJZ0aIoR8FsbOuXc38pht99HyUnYwH08HoK7xv3DL2BrVo3KVZ7xMe2S4YMxd1HkJz2evbV/ziNsJcKW/le3fFS7mza09yJXDLDcLOKLXbYUQIDAQAB |

---

## Port Configuration

**IMAP (SSL/TLS)**
- Port: 993

**SMTP (SSL/TLS)**
- Port: 465

---

## Relay Accounts

Configuration for sender-dependent transports:

| Domain | Username | Password |
|--------|----------|----------|
| pncharris.com | relay@pncharris.com | H@rv3yD)G123 |
| pncharris.com | forwarder@pncharris.com | (see password history) |
| pncharris.com | passer@pncharris.com | bBJtPhrGkHvvhxhukkae |
| wasted-bandwidth.net | relay@wasted-bandwidth.net | dZ4yLYznVvgSJtqWZJFA |
| netgrimoire.com | relay@netgrimoire.com | TVGCnJp9SxRbWU8EhkMw |
| florosafd.org | relay@florosafd.org | 2Fe8XMyaeh6Z5dvdHYdq |
| gnarlypandaproductions.com | relay@gnarlypandaproductions.com | vG5ZsUQhRWD2UyzLPsqA |

### Password History (passer@pncharris.com)
Latest passwords (most recent last):
- !5!,_\*zDyLEhhR4
- sh7dXWnTPqbkDGsTcwtn
- MY3V8p69b2HYksygxhXX
- RS6U2GU6rcYe3THKKgYx
- yzqNysrd73yzWptVEZ5H (current)

### Additional Credentials
- kylr pncharris: -,68,incTeR
- G4@rlyf1ng3r

---

## Troubleshooting

### Common Issues

1. **Email not sending through MXroute**
   - Verify SPF record includes MXroute IPs
   - Check sender-dependent transport is selected in Mailcow
   - Confirm relay account credentials are correct

2. **DKIM verification failing**
   - Ensure both Mailcow and MXroute DKIM records are published
   - Verify different selectors are used
   - Check for DNS propagation (24-48 hours)

3. **DMARC failures**
   - Confirm SPF and DKIM are properly aligned
   - Review DMARC reports sent to rua address

---

## References

- [Mailcow Documentation](https://docs.mailcow.email/)
- [MXroute Documentation](https://mxroutedocs.com/)
- [SPF Record Syntax](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc7208)
- [DKIM Documentation](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc6376)
- [DMARC Documentation](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc7489)
