Topic: qmail-send "I couldn't find any host named" error

[charlies]

- We are having a problem sending email to a single domain (presym.com) for at least a month
- SME Server 7.3 latest updates applied this morning - no change
- Destination domain is colocated through valueweb.com
- Valueweb does not provide reverse dns for their clients

Is there a setting in SME server that forces reverse dns validation on outgoing email?

- Charlie

[CharlieBrady]

Is there a setting in SME server that forces reverse dns validation on outgoing email?

No. The error message you quote indicates a DNS problem with the domain you are trying to send to. They will need to fix their DNS. Not your problem.

[charlies]

Charlie,
1) Their hosting provider does not provide reverse dns services
2) Other mail accounts (including a coworkers home SME server) are able to send to the problem domain without trouble

Since I verified that another SME server is able to send to the problem domain, I believe that there is a setting problem on my box. Is there a configuration setting in SME that allows reverse dns checking on outgoing email to be enabled/disabled?

- Charlie

[CharlieBrady]

1) Their hosting provider does not provide reverse dns services

Why do you think that is relevant?

Since I verified that another SME server is able to send to the problem domain,

That only indicates that DNS sometimes provides an answer. It doesn't demonstrate that there is (or was) no problem with DNS configuration for the destination domain.

Is there a configuration setting in SME that allows reverse dns checking on outgoing email to be enabled/disabled?

I've already told you - no.

If you post the full actual message you are seeing in the qmail logs someone may be able to help you.

[CharlieBrady]

http://www.checkdns.net/ doesn't currently report any problems with the recipient domain you have mentioned.

[charlies]

1) Their hosting provider does not provide reverse dns services

Why do you think that is relevant?

It is the only piece of information that I received from the hosting provided that might explain the problem

I've already told you - no.

My bad, I missed that in the previous post

If you post the full actual message you are seeing in the qmail logs someone may be able to help you.

@4000000048d281fd2e9a139c new msg 11780118
@4000000048d281fd2e9a2ef4 info msg 11780118: bytes 1510 from <charlies@poliac.com> qp 25325 uid 453
@4000000048d281fd2f8a99d4 starting delivery 168071: msg 11780118 to remote undisclosed@presym.com
@4000000048d281fd2f8ab914 status: local 0/10 remote 1/20
@4000000048d281fd344779ec delivery 168071: failure: Sorry,_I_couldn't_find_any_host_named_presym.com._(#5.1.2)/
@4000000048d281fd35dc6614 status: local 0/10 remote 0/20
@4000000048d281fd3799f87c bounce msg 11780118 qp 25327
@4000000048d281fd379a13d4 end msg 11780118

[charlies]

Charlie,
By using dnstrace, I was able to figure out the problem, although I cannot explain why it is a problem.

First, my setup.
1) gw (192.168.1.1) - SME Server - local network gateway to the internet - behind a firewall
2) redbeard (192.168.1.2) - Windows Server 2000 - local domain controller - local dns server so that I can define local names like asterisk.poliac.com

In order to allow gw to resolve local/private dns names, when configuring my SME server I setup the "Corporate DNS server address" to be 192.168.1.2. This setting is what is causing my problems. I have since left the entry blank and I can now send email to the problem domain.

Running dnstrace mx presym.com 192.168.1.1 causes only three lines to be displayed, then timeout.
Running dnstrace mx presym.com 192.168.1.2 executed properly.
This behaviour is the same for all domain names.

Should I be able to use the "Corporate DNS server address" setting as I tried? Any idea why this mail delivery problem would be limited to one domain?

I am willing to help troubleshoot the root cause. I can switch the "Corporate DNS server address" setting back without much disruption in order to gather more information.

- Charlie