Noob type domain (serving?) question

srlinuxx · l33t Joined: 22 Nov 2003 Posts: 627

Hi yaw. I've set up this little home network server firewall deal using iptables, apache2, pure-ftpd, dhcp, and bind (as well as other stuff). But my question involves wanting to set up a real mail server. I registered my domain with 1and1 and my domain points to my static ip, but I'm having trouble with mx. All in all, this domain stuff is still a little confusing to me. How can I get this:

srlinuxx · l33t Joined: 22 Nov 2003 Posts: 627

I was hoping someone could maybe explain to me what's going on as I don't really understand fully how this domain stuff works.

But from what I've gathered is:
running my own named server isn't doing any good as it can't seem to pre-empt the info that 1and1 is sending in. 1and1 is pretty cheap I gather, cuz they won't let me update any dns info. I'm gathering it was a case of getting what you pay for.

So, I'm wondering, if anyone has suggestions?

Do I need an expensive external dns service like ultradns.com or networksolutions to accomplish my goal?

Or can't I just run my own to update root-servers? If this is the case, how do I get 1and1 or anyone to let my server do it?

Please forgive my ignorance - I'm blonde! :-D

thanks,
-s
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DaveArb · Guru Joined: 29 Apr 2004 Posts: 510 Location: Texas, USA

how do I get 1and1 or anyone to let my server do it?

Your domain registration record should have a place in it to indicate where your DNS servers are. I'm not familiar with 1and1, but I don't know of any registrar that doesn't allow you to select your own.

There are free DNS services, that I think would allow you to set up any records you wish. I don't use any of them, so cannot recommend one.

Dave

srlinuxx · l33t Joined: 22 Nov 2003 Posts: 627

Houdini · Posted: Thu Jun 24, 2004 7:10 pm Post subject:

I'm a 1and1 user. Don't worry, you can do what you want with them. When I get home tonight (in ~6 hours), I'll respond to thise with all the steps you need.
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srlinuxx · l33t Joined: 22 Nov 2003 Posts: 627

OMG, thank you thank you thank you. :-)

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daledude · n00b Joined: 05 Apr 2004 Posts: 52

Houdini will prolly help you out with 1and1, but i'll comment on serving your own dns. First you need to register the domain AS a name server through 1and1. They should have some option to do that. In your case it looks like you want ns.tuxmachines.org. This process will ask you what ip that name server is using so any domains using ns.tuxmachines.org as it's dns will goto that ip for it's answer.

Then you get into the world of bind setup

Houdini · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 3:34 am Post subject:

First off, be very very very sure that your DNS server works. You can do this by setting your machine's DNS server (in /etc/resolv.conf) to that machine, or with dig.

Using dig:

The easy way will look something like this:

srlinuxx · l33t Joined: 22 Nov 2003 Posts: 627

Thanks so much guys.

Houdini, you say:
"4. Under "Advanced DNS", type in the 1and1 domain for your machine in the Primary name server box. This is the (long string).online-homeserver.com address. Remember, you can't use tuxmachines.org!"

Would that be like ns1.tuxmachines.org?

I think my bind settings are all good. The second example in my first post is the result of a dig of my local server. That look about right to you?

Thanks for link to your examples. I'll be doing some comparing to make sure mine is similar.

If I decide to let 1&1 do the name serving, in the basic settings if I leave 1&1, I see I can choose other mail server. Would the format for that box be mail.tuxmachines.org 10 ?

Thanks so much.
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Houdini · Posted: Fri Jun 25, 2004 5:17 pm Post subject:

you can't use the domain you're setting up in it's own settings

Use the (stuff).online-homeserver.com address they gave you.

No idea about settings if you let them serve it; I moved to serving everything myself on day 1.
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srlinuxx · l33t Joined: 22 Nov 2003 Posts: 627

Houdini · Posted: Sat Jun 26, 2004 3:15 am Post subject:

Ok. Login to the control panel, and go to "Server Administration". Go to "Server Data". If needed, click the triangle next to "Your Server's Technical Data" to expand it.

There should be 4 items in there: IP Address, Server name, Server password, and Host status. This is the hostname you want to use for the DNS server.

It might not be at online-homeserver.com, but mine is.
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srlinuxx · l33t Joined: 22 Nov 2003 Posts: 627

Thanks for all your help Houdini. My options were a bit different at 1&1, but I found your help invaluable and adaptable to my situation. dnsreport says that I have Reverse DNS entries for MX records now, so I think I can set up an email system.

Thank you again.

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--You talk the talk, but do you waddle the waddle?
-Gentoo Monthly Screenshots