Terms for domain names, DNS, and domain name resolution
Learn about domain names, DNS, and domain name resolution for Alibaba Mail.
Domain name
A domain name is a dot-separated string that identifies a computer or computer group on the Internet for data transmission. Learn more in Terms.
When you purchase Alibaba Mail, you must bind a domain name. This domain name becomes the suffix after @ in your email address. For example, binding example.net gives you a***@example.net.
If you do not have a domain name, Domain name registration.
.tel domain names and Chinese domain names cannot be used as email suffix domain names.
If you have already activated Alibaba Mail for a domain name on Alibaba Cloud, you cannot submit a duplicate request.
If you bind a second-level domain name, such as mail.domainname or www.domainname, to your mailbox, you must configure domain name resolution for the second-level domain name. After the resolution takes effect, the status is automatically updated. The suffix of your email address is then @mail.domainname or @www.domainname.
Change the domain name bound to Alibaba Mail
Query the expiration date of a domain name
An expired domain name affects your mailbox. Use the WHOIS lookup service to check your domain name's expiration date. The WHOIS service may not provide real-time data. For the latest information, click Get Latest Info.
DNS
The Domain Name System (DNS) is a distributed database that maps domain names to IP addresses, making Internet access more convenient.
To set up domain name resolution, add DNS records with your DNS provider. A DNS provider hosts authoritative resolution for your domain name, while a registrar handles registration and management. Use the Alibaba Cloud Website O&M Inspection Platform to find your DNS provider.
Domain name resolution
Domain name resolution converts a human-readable domain name into a machine-readable IP address. Domain names are easier to remember than IP addresses, so DNS servers perform this conversion to let users access websites by domain name.
After purchasing Alibaba Mail, configure domain name resolution for your bound domain name. This is the most important step after initial setup. Add the required MX record. After the record takes effect, Alibaba Mail can send and receive emails.
For Alibaba Cloud (wanwang) domain names: How do I configure DNS resolution for an Alibaba Cloud (wanwang) domain name for Alibaba Mail?.
For non-Alibaba Cloud (wanwang) domain names: How do I configure DNS resolution for a non-Alibaba Cloud (wanwang) domain name for Alibaba Mail?.