Multiple domains on same dedicated server... multiple hostnames

[batfastad]

Hi everyone

Currently we run Exchange SBS 2003 on a server located on our LAN, connected to the internet using our ADSL connection (20mbit BeThere)

When we switch to Zimbra later in the year I was planning to run Zimbra on a dedicated server. Probably virtualised with VMWare using JeOS as the Zimbra guest OS. Since we're having more and more remote users, it will be a big advantage to have Zimbra running on a machine connected directly to the internet.

My question is... how do I need to assign the hostname to the dedicated server if the Zimbra installation is to handle multiple domains.
Would each domain name need its own IP address pointing to the server?

I was under the impression that best practice for mail delivery was to make sure the machine's hostname matches the DNS record which is also referenced as a PTR record with the dedicated server provider?

EG: It's easy to create A records for mail.domain.com, mail.domain2.com, mail.domain3.com that all point to the same IP address.
But the server's hostname and PTR record bit gets a bit difficult for multiple domain names... that's where I'm confused

Thanks, B

[phoenix]

You need the FQDN hostname to be in the domain that is your primary domain and the one that answers when an smtp connection is made, that's all. For additional domains you only need to point your MX & A records to the server.

So the FQDN would be something like:

mail.domain.com

and the domain your A & MX records belong to would be domain.com and the server would host the primary domain as domain.com

BTW, you should not use a PTR record just an A record (plus the MX).

[batfastad]

Ah ok

So there won't be any disadvantage to mail delivery from an "additional domain" if the dedicated server's hostname is not in the same domain?

I've not created PTR records in the Zone files in cPanel's WebHostManager, just A and matching MX records.
I mention this PTR thing because I have a virtual private server hosted with VPSLink where they created a matching PTR record.

I will be implementing SPF records for each domain that is hosted by Zimbra as well as an attempt to improve deliverability.

Thanks for the information

[phoenix]

No, there's no problem adding as many domains as you care to host.