In a discussion titled “SMTP help - different servers and subdomain” under the Installation category, Chukwithak explains their setup: the main domain is hosted on AWS, Discourse runs on a subdomain via a Digital Ocean droplet, and Cloudflare manages DNS. They’re using Mailgun for Discourse’s email, since the main site uses Google Workspace. Chukwithak asks whether Mailgun should be configured for the subdomain (e.g., subdomain.domain.org) and whether DNS records should be set on Digital Ocean or Cloudflare. pfaffman confirms that Mailgun should indeed use the subdomain and advises that since Cloudflare is in control of DNS, records must be configured there — suggesting tools like DNS checkers or WHOIS to verify DNS authority. pfaffman also recommends using the gray cloud (DNS-only) setting in Cloudflare for the Discourse record. Later, Chukwithak reports progress — Discourse is loaded on the subdomain, but SMTP handling remains an issue. pfaffman prompts for clarification on the SMTP problem. Finally, Chukwithak announces the issue is resolved and plans to write a beginner-friendly tutorial. The thread reflects a troubleshooting journey from DNS setup to SMTP configuration, resolved with guidance from pfaffman.
Domain is on an AWS Server.
Discourse is at a subdomain on a Digital Ocean droplet.
Cloudflare is in control.
I’m using Mailgun for the discourse because my main site is running on google workspace.
Should mailgun be subdomain.domain.org?
And should the records be on DO network or cloudflare?
Yes.
You just said cloudflare. You can use a dns check site to test that the changes you make are what the internet sees.
You can check the whois records to check what dns server is in charge. (To see if cloudflare is really in control).
Use the gray cloud (dns only) for your Discourse record.
Thanks for the reply @pfaffman doing some testing this morning. I was able to get it loaded on the subdomain server but now the issue is proper smtp handling.
What about smtp?
Got this figured out and going to try to write up a n00b tut.