A static IP address on a failover cellular connection can be a valuable tool for improving email deliverability. We are going to explore the reasons why having a static IP address is important for this. We’ll also look at how it can benefit businesses that rely on email communication. Lastly, we’ll show you an example configuration using GoDaddy.
What is Failover?
A failover cellular connection is a backup internet connection that is used when the primary connection fails. This is important for businesses that rely on the internet to operate, as it ensures that they can continue to operate even if their primary internet connection goes down. Failover cellular connections are often used in conjunction with routers or other networking equipment that can detect when the primary connection is down and automatically switch to the cellular connection.
Why a Static IP?
When sending emails, the recipient’s email server checks the IP address of the sender to determine if the email is legitimate. If the email is coming from a dynamic IP address, which is common for cellular connections, it can raise a red flag for the recipient’s email server. This is because dynamic IP addresses are often associated with spam or other malicious activity.
By contrast, a static IP address provides a consistent and reliable source for email traffic. It allows email servers to easily verify the sender’s identity and ensure that the email is legitimate. This can greatly improve email deliverability and reduce the chances of emails being flagged as spam or blocked altogether.
In addition to improving email deliverability, a static IP address on a failover cellular connection can also provide other benefits for businesses. It can make it easier to manage network traffic and allow for more advanced networking configurations. It can also help to improve network security, as static IP addresses are less susceptible to hacking or other malicious activities.
Configuration Tip
As an example, let’s say you’re hosting your DNS with a provider like GoDaddy. Configuring your DNS to use a secondary static IP address can help to improve email deliverability and reduce the chances of your emails going into the spam folder. Look below for step-by-step directions specifically for GoDaddy. Note that other providers’ directions may differ.
Step 1: Log in to your GoDaddy account
Log in to your GoDaddy account using your username and password.
Step 2: Navigate to your domain management
Once you have logged in, click on the “My Products” option in the top-right corner of the screen. Then, select “Domains” from the drop-down menu.
Step 3: Select the domain you want to configure
From the list of domains, select the one you want to configure for the secondary static IP address.
Step 4: Access DNS management
On the domain management page, scroll down to the “DNS” section and click on the “Manage DNS” button.
Step 5: Add an “A” record
In the DNS management page, scroll down to the “A (Host)” section and click on the “Add” button. For the “Host” field, enter the name of your email server (e.g., “mail.yourdomain.com”). In the “Points to” field, enter the secondary static IP address for your email server. Then, set the “TTL” value to the desired duration (e.g., 1 hour).
Step 6: Verify changes
Once you have added the “A” record, make sure to verify the changes by checking that the new record is displayed correctly in the “DNS Management” page.
Step 7: Wait for propagation
DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate fully, although it typically happens much faster. Be patient and allow some time for the changes to take effect.
Step 8: Test your email deliverability
After the changes have propagated, test your email deliverability by sending a test email to a few different email addresses (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, etc.). Check the spam folder to see if the email was flagged as spam or if it was delivered to the inbox.
Remember to always monitor your email deliverability and make necessary changes as needed to ensure your emails are being delivered successfully.
