docs: create mxroute-mailcow

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---
title: Recieving Mail thru MXRoute
description: Trusted receiver
published: true
date: 2026-02-15T01:44:15.683Z
tags:
editor: markdown
dateCreated: 2026-02-15T01:44:15.683Z
---
# MXroute Incoming Mail to Mailcow
## Overview
Configuration guide for using MXroute to receive incoming mail for your domains and forward to your Mailcow server.
---
## Architecture
```
Internet → MXroute (receives) → Mailcow (delivers)
```
This setup allows MXroute to handle incoming mail filtering, spam protection, and then forward clean mail to your Mailcow server.
---
## MXroute Configuration
### 1. Add Domain to MXroute
1. Log into MXroute DirectAdmin panel
2. Navigate to **Email Accounts** → **Email Domains**
3. Add your domain (e.g., `yourdomain.com`)
### 2. Create Forwarder Accounts
For each mailbox you want to receive mail:
1. Navigate to **Email Accounts** → **Forwarders**
2. Create forwarder:
- **Email Address:** user@yourdomain.com
- **Forward To:** user@mail.yourdomain.com (your Mailcow server)
3. Enable **Discard if no forwarders exist** (optional, prevents bounces)
**Alternative: Catch-all Forwarder**
- Create a catch-all forwarder: `*@yourdomain.com``@mail.yourdomain.com`
- This forwards all mail to Mailcow regardless of recipient
---
## DNS Configuration
### Update MX Records
Point your domain's MX records to MXroute servers:
```
yourdomain.com → MX 10 arrow.mxroute.com
yourdomain.com → MX 20 eagle.mxroute.com
```
**Note:** Check your MXroute account for the correct server hostnames (arrow, eagle, hermes, etc.)
### SPF Record
Update SPF to allow MXroute to send on your behalf:
```
v=spf1 include:mxroute.com -all
```
If you also send from Mailcow directly:
```
v=spf1 ip4:192.168.5.16 include:mxroute.com -all
```
### DKIM Records
1. Generate DKIM key in MXroute DirectAdmin:
- Navigate to **Email Authentication** → **DKIM Keys**
- Generate key for your domain
- Copy the DNS record
2. Add DKIM TXT record to your DNS:
```
default._domainkey.yourdomain.com → [MXroute DKIM public key]
```
### DMARC Record
```
_dmarc.yourdomain.com → v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; rua=mailto:admin@yourdomain.com
```
**Note:** Start with `p=quarantine` for testing, then move to `p=reject` once confirmed working.
---
## Mailcow Configuration
### 1. Allow MXroute IP Addresses
Add MXroute server IPs to Mailcow's trusted networks:
1. SSH into your Mailcow server
2. Edit `mailcow.conf`:
```bash
nano /opt/mailcow-dockerized/mailcow.conf
```
3. Add MXroute IPs to `SKIP_CLAMD` or trusted networks
4. Restart Mailcow:
```bash
docker-compose down
docker-compose up -d
```
### 2. Configure Mailboxes
Create mailboxes in Mailcow for each user:
1. Navigate to Mailcow admin → **Mailboxes**
2. Create mailbox: `user@yourdomain.com`
3. Set password and quota
### 3. Disable Greylisting (Optional)
If you experience delays:
1. Navigate to **Configuration** → **Configuration & Details**
2. Find your domain
3. Disable greylisting for MXroute IPs
---
## Testing
### 1. Test Mail Flow
Send test email from external provider (Gmail, Outlook):
```
From: test@gmail.com
To: user@yourdomain.com
```
**Expected Flow:**
1. Mail arrives at MXroute
2. MXroute forwards to Mailcow
3. Mail appears in Mailcow inbox
### 2. Check Headers
Review email headers in Mailcow to verify:
- `Received:` headers show MXroute server
- SPF, DKIM, DMARC all pass
- No spam flags
### 3. Monitor Logs
**MXroute Logs:**
- Check DirectAdmin → Email Logs
- Verify forwarding is occurring
**Mailcow Logs:**
```bash
docker-compose logs -f postfix-mailcow
```
Look for incoming connections from MXroute IPs.
---
## Example Configuration: gnarlypandaproductions.com
### MXroute Forwarders
| MXroute Address | Forwards To |
|-----------------|-------------|
| admin@gnarlypandaproductions.com | admin@mail.gnarlypandaproductions.com |
| contact@gnarlypandaproductions.com | contact@mail.gnarlypandaproductions.com |
| *@gnarlypandaproductions.com | @mail.gnarlypandaproductions.com |
### DNS Records
| Record Type | Name | Value |
|-------------|------|-------|
| MX | @ | 10 arrow.mxroute.com |
| MX | @ | 20 eagle.mxroute.com |
| A | mail | 192.168.5.16 |
| TXT | @ | v=spf1 ip4:192.168.5.16 include:mxroute.com -all |
| TXT | _dmarc | v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:admin@gnarlypandaproductions.com |
| TXT | default._domainkey | [MXroute DKIM key] |
---
## Troubleshooting
### Mail Not Being Forwarded
1. **Check MXroute forwarder configuration**
- Verify forwarder exists in DirectAdmin
- Check destination address is correct
- Review MXroute email logs
2. **Verify DNS propagation**
```bash
dig MX yourdomain.com
dig TXT yourdomain.com
```
3. **Check Mailcow firewall**
- Ensure port 25 is open
- Verify MXroute IPs aren't blocked
### SPF/DKIM Failures
1. **SPF not passing**
- Verify `include:mxroute.com` in SPF record
- Check for typos in SPF syntax
- Use SPF checker: https://mxtoolbox.com/spf.aspx
2. **DKIM not passing**
- Confirm DKIM record published in DNS
- Verify selector matches (usually `default`)
- Check DKIM record format (no spaces in key)
### Mail Delayed or Bouncing
1. **Greylisting delays**
- Disable greylisting in Mailcow for MXroute IPs
- Or wait 5-15 minutes for retry
2. **Mailbox full**
- Check quota in Mailcow
- Increase quota or clean mailbox
3. **Spam filtering**
- Check Mailcow spam folder
- Whitelist MXroute IPs in Rspamd
---
## MXroute Server Information
### Common MXroute Mail Servers
- arrow.mxroute.com
- eagle.mxroute.com
- hermes.mxroute.com
- zen.mxroute.com
**Your assigned server:** Check MXroute DirectAdmin welcome email or DNS settings
### MXroute IP Ranges
Consult MXroute documentation for current IP ranges to whitelist in Mailcow.
---
## Advantages of This Setup
- **Spam filtering:** MXroute handles initial spam filtering
- **DDoS protection:** MXroute absorbs mail-based attacks
- **Reliability:** If Mailcow is down, mail queues at MXroute
- **Deliverability:** MXroute IPs have good reputation
- **Offload processing:** Reduces load on your Mailcow server
---
## References
- [MXroute Documentation](https://mxroutedocs.com/)
- [Mailcow Documentation](https://docs.mailcow.email/)
- [Email Forwarding Best Practices](https://www.rfc-editor.org/rfc/rfc5321)