Configuring remote service IPs in WHM allows you to specify external mail servers and nameservers that your system should treat as local addresses. This is essential when using third-party email services, spam filters, or remote DNS servers. By adding these IP addresses to your configuration, you ensure that domains using external services can function properly on your server.
What Are Remote Service IPs?
Remote service IPs are external server addresses that handle mail or DNS for domains on your hosting account. When you add these IPs to your WHM configuration, your server recognizes them as trusted sources rather than treating them as external services. This configuration is particularly useful for integrating third-party spam filtering services, external mail servers, or remotely-hosted DNS nameservers with your hosting environment.
The system stores mail server entries in the /etc/ips.remotemail file and nameserver entries in the /etc/ips.remotedns file as line-separated lists. Both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses are supported in these configurations.
Remote Mail Server IP Addresses
Remote mail server IPs allow you to specify external services that handle email for your domains. This is commonly used when routing email through spam filtering services or using dedicated mail servers separate from your hosting account.
How to Add Mail Server IPs
Follow these steps to configure remote mail server IP addresses:
- Navigate to the Remote Mail Server IPs tab in WHM
- Enter the IP addresses you want to add in the text box, placing one address per line
- Click Save to apply the changes
To remove mail server IPs, simply delete the entries from the text box and save your changes. The system will immediately update its configuration to reflect the removal.
Remote Nameserver IP Addresses
Remote nameserver IPs enable users to create parked or addon domains that use external DNS servers. You only need to add one nameserver IP address for each domain, not all of them. Adding just one nameserver is sufficient for the system to recognize and authorize the domain.
Important: If you add the domain's own IP address instead of the nameserver's IP, the system will not authorize that domain. Always use the nameserver IP address, not the domain IP.
How to Add Nameserver IPs
To configure remote nameserver IP addresses:
- Click the Remote Name Server IPs tab
- Enter the nameserver IP addresses in the text box, one per line
- Click Save to store the configuration
For remotely-clustered DNS nameservers, you must manually add each IP address. The system does not automatically detect these addresses.
Allowing Remote Domains
To give users permission to create remote parked or addon domains that override the nameservers listed in the Configure Remote Service IPs interface, you need to enable the Allow Remote Domains option. This setting is located in WHM's Tweak Settings interface under WHM >> Home >> Server Configuration >> Tweak Settings.
Warning: Enabling this option gives users more flexibility but also reduces control over which external nameservers they can use. Consider your server's security requirements before enabling this feature.
Common Use Cases
Understanding when to configure remote service IPs helps you make the most of this feature:
- Third-party spam filtering: Add the IP addresses of services that scan your email before delivery
- External mail servers: Configure dedicated mail servers that handle email separately from web hosting
- Remote DNS management: Allow domains to use external DNS providers while hosted on your server
- Clustered hosting environments: Coordinate between multiple servers in a distributed hosting setup
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to add all nameserver IPs for a domain?
No, you only need to add one nameserver IP address per domain. The system uses this single IP to verify and authorize the domain. Adding multiple nameserver IPs for the same domain is unnecessary.
What happens if I add a domain IP instead of the nameserver IP?
If you add the domain's own IP address instead of its nameserver IP, the system will not authorize that domain. Always use the nameserver's IP address to ensure proper domain authorization and functionality.
Can I use IPv6 addresses for remote services?
Yes, both IPv4 and IPv6 addresses are supported for remote mail servers and nameservers. Simply enter the IPv6 address in the same format you would for IPv4, one address per line in the configuration interface.
How do I remove remote service IPs?
To remove any remote service IP addresses, access the appropriate tab (Remote Mail Server IPs or Remote Name Server IPs), delete the entries you no longer need from the text box, and click Save. The system immediately applies the changes.
Our support team at OBHost is available 24/7 to help with remote service IP configuration and any other hosting questions. Visit our contact page or email support@obhost.org for assistance.
