Remember MX
Full name: Mail Exchanger
Memory aid: Mail eXchanges choose the receiving server.
MX preference values express relative priority, not guaranteed availability.
Study area: Protocols & logical ports · Batch 7
Relevant study for: CompTIA Network+ N10-009 · Cisco CCNA 200-301 · CompTIA A+ Core 1 220-1201 · CompTIA Security+ SY0-701 · ISC2 CISSP 2024 outline
Practice with exam flashcards →Networking & Connectivity / Knowledge library
MX — Mail Exchanger
Identifies mail-receiving hosts for a DNS domain.
Why learn MX — Mail Exchanger?
Identifies mail-receiving hosts for a DNS domain.
Where it came from
MX preference values express relative priority, not guaranteed availability.
- Memory aid (a learning cue, not the expansion): Mail eXchanges choose the receiving server.
Build your understanding
Work through these exercises in order. Try the task before opening a reference.
- Without looking, expand MX: Mail Exchanger.
- Recall this memory aid: Mail eXchanges choose the receiving server.
- Explain the practical use: Identifies mail-receiving hosts for a DNS domain.
- Explain this distinction: MX preference values express relative priority, not guaranteed availability.
- Identify MX in a device specification, architecture diagram, or system inventory.
Documentation and sources
- IETF RFC 1035 (www.rfc-editor.org)