How do I create an SPF record?

How do I create an SPF (Sender Policy Framework) record?

Go to http://www.microsoft.com/mscorp/safety/content/technologies/senderid/wizard/default.aspx
(You may need to have an MSN or Hotmail account to log in first)

We’ve had some reports that the Microsoft tool above may not be working correctly, an alternate tool is the one at http://www.spfwizard.net , or you can can simply refer to the SPF Syntax documentation to create your SPF record (http://www.openspf.org/SPF_Record_Syntax), the online tools just facilitate this for you.

(These instructions are based on the Microsoft SPF Wizard)

In the box, insert your domain name and then click Start.

In the "Inbound Mail Servers Send Outbound Mail" section Check the box that says "Domain’s inbound servers may send mail"

In the Text box below the check box, type in "appliedi.net". Under that, put "smtp.appliedi.net".

In the "Outbound Mail Server Addresses" section, check the box with the IP and insert the IP address of your mail server. (the IP address that mail.yourdomain.com resolves to). You can either do a DNS lookup on mail.yourdomain.com’s A record (replace with your actual domain), or you can log into your control panel and under your Domain Menu, go to DNS Zone Editor to view this information.

In the section labeled "Default" ensure that "Discouraged; mail may legitimately originate from IP addresses not identified above, however, use of such IP addresses is discouraged and may not be permitted in the future." is checked.

In the section labeled "Scope" ensure that "both" is checked.

Click "Next" on the bottom right of the page.

Click the "Select All" button and then right click on the text in the box and select "copy".

Save this text to a new notepad document.

Log into your HELM control panel at http://control.appliedi.net   (your hosting control panel may differ but the idea is the same regardless of where you manage your DNS)

After logging in, Click the "Domains" button.

Select the domain that you are adding this SPF record for.

Click the "DNS Zone Editor" button.

Click "Add New".

Using the drop down menu, select "TXT (Text Data Record)" for the Record Type.

In the next field, type @

In the next field paste the text that you copied from the SPF wizard.

Finally, click the "Add" button to save your record.