MX Records and Mail Servers.......

What exactly are they/

[webboy1]

Hi,

I have worked with web and computers for around 3 years now, and have never needed to setup MX records or mailservers. Now it looks as though i might have to quite soon.

Can someone give me advice on exactly what each is, what each does, and roughly how they work.

I am completely new to this side of things, so make any descriptions idiot proof please!

Thanks
Webboy

[lorax]

You may find these useful rather.

[rscott.org...]

[sendmail.org...]

mail server - A software program that distributes files or information in response to requests sent via e-mail. Internet examples include Almanac and netlib. Mail servers have also been used in Bitnet to provide FTP-like services. May also be used to refer to a computer system used as an electronic mail server.

The simplified answer - a mail server is a program designed to handle mail. An MX record is a pointer designed to route mail associated with a Domain Name.