Well both itchy.earthlink.net and scratchy.earthlink.net are presenting the same set of information you provided below. Here is what seems to have happened, the server could not get a valid MX request back so it then defaulted to using the A record for earthlink.net, and one of those records happens to be that IP.
earthlink.net. 600 IN A 209.86.93.201 earthlink.net. 600 IN A 209.86.93.202 earthlink.net. 600 IN A 209.86.93.203 earthlink.net. 600 IN A 209.86.93.204 earthlink.net. 600 IN A 209.86.93.205 earthlink.net. 600 IN A 209.86.93.206 earthlink.net. 600 IN A 209.86.93.207 earthlink.net. 600 IN A 209.86.93.208 earthlink.net. 600 IN A 209.86.93.209 earthlink.net. 600 IN A 209.86.93.210 earthlink.net. 600 IN A 209.86.93.211 So first check the outbound DNS servers that you might have defined in the smtp connector, make sure they are all correct and working (One might be bad causing a problem). Next check the DNS servers (assuming you are using local DNS servers) and how are they configured? Caching/forwarder, or resolving? If caching/forwarder verify the servers that the requests are being sent to are working properly. If they are resolving then you have other issues goes on as they didn't get information back in time (or valid information) for the mx query and did the next step which is attempt to use the A record as part of the spec. -----Original Message----- From: [EMAIL PROTECTED] [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] On Behalf Of Jean-Paul Natola Sent: Wednesday, August 27, 2008 9:43 AM To: Exchange Discussions Subject: Exchange intermittently connecting wrong servers Hi all, I'm not sure where to start here, but after getting numerous complaints regarding the inability to send mail - I have tracked the source of the problem. For some reason my exchange server randomly decides to send mail to the wrong server - Here's one example; User sends to her earthlink account; connects to 209.86.93.228 result OK 2008-08-26 14:28:49 209.86.93.228 OutboundConnectionResponse SMTPSVC1 FCI-EX - 25 - 250+1kxZxmZz3Nl34g0+Message+accepted+for+delivery 0 SMTP - - 2008-08-26 14:28:49 209.86.93.228 OutboundConnectionCommand SMTPSVC1 FCI-EX - 25 QUIT - 0 SMTP - - 2008-08-26 14:28:49 209.86.93.228 OutboundConnectionResponse SMTPSVC1 FCI-EX - 25 - 221+mx-pigeons.atl.sa.earthlink.net+closing+connection 0 SMTP - - Later on in the day she sends another email; my server decides to connect to 209.86.93.201 - result Not OK 2008-08-26 18:09:26 209.86.93.201 OutboundConnectionResponse SMTPSVC1 FCI-EX - 25 - 550+Authentication+required.+Help+at+http://www.earthlink.net/go/emailse 550+Authentication+tting s 0 SMTP - - Nslookup tells me; mx1.earthlink.net internet address = 209.86.93.226 mx2.earthlink.net internet address = 209.86.93.227 mx3.earthlink.net internet address = 209.86.93.228 mx4.earthlink.net internet address = 209.86.93.229 So I know why its failing - I know what it is going wrong , but WHY is it doing this and how do I correct it Could my ISP's DNS servers be on the fritz? And its not just happening with earthlink- thanks Jean-Paul _________________________________________________________________ List posting FAQ: http://www.swinc.com/resource/exch_faq.htm Web Interface: http://intm-dl.sparklist.com/read/?forum=exchange To subscribe: http://e-newsletters.internet.com/discussionlists.html/ To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] t.com Exchange List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe via postal mail, please contact us at: Jupitermedia Corp. Attn: Discussion List Management 475 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10016 Please include the email address which you have been contacted with. _________________________________________________________________ List posting FAQ: http://www.swinc.com/resource/exch_faq.htm Web Interface: http://intm-dl.sparklist.com/read/?forum=exchange To subscribe: http://e-newsletters.internet.com/discussionlists.html/ To unsubscribe send a blank email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] Exchange List admin: [EMAIL PROTECTED] To unsubscribe via postal mail, please contact us at: Jupitermedia Corp. Attn: Discussion List Management 475 Park Avenue South New York, NY 10016 Please include the email address which you have been contacted with.
