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Using DNS
Posted: Sat May 12, 2007 5:57 pm
by alex.barylski
My hosting company suggests I use their DNS, and after reading about DNS, it sounds like the easier approach for the time being.
What I want to know, is what are the benefits of setting up my own DNS on my dedicated server?
I have several domains I am trying to load content on my server and eventually I will split them into virtual hosts, having each domain map to a different directory, etc...
I notified GoDaddy.com about the DNS change for my domains (12 in all) and nothing worked after several days. Then I realized that I was responsible for also updating the DNS registry - so through ServerBeach admin panel I also added my domains and set their IP (same for each).
I am assuming this is what actually takes forever and what is meant by propagating the Internet?
On shared hosts this is typically taken care for you (always in my case). Nothing complicated, just a step I missed.
What would be the benefit of hosting my own DNS server though? Why would someone desire that added complexity?
Posted: Sat May 12, 2007 6:18 pm
by alex.barylski
Second question:
Your browser or user agent of choice connects to a DNS and asks it for IP details of given domain/host name?
As I understand it, this is a centralized server based in Virginia. Why does ServerBeach offer a DNS as well? When someone accesses my site does their browser contact GoDaddy.com to detmerine my servers DNS or does it contact this centralized DNS?
Can someone explain step by step how and why this works so I am certain of what goes on and when.

Posted: Sun May 13, 2007 7:56 am
by Chris Corbyn
Your browser contacts your own ISPs name server, which checks if it already has a result cached. If it doesn't it looks for the DNS server of the domain and asks that, then caches the result for XXX seconds (typically 24 hours).
Running your own DNS is probaly useless to anyone who doesn't know anything about DNS, but if you know about DNS then it basically gives you loads of flexibilty to update your records instantly and also to avoid the limitations of GoDaddy's setup (I bet they make out like "whooaa, we give you up to 5 subdomains" or something which is complete testicles because you can have as many as you like if you run your own and there's no real overhead in doing so). You need *at least* 2 DNS servers though.
Posted: Sun May 13, 2007 12:06 pm
by alex.barylski
Thanks for that. So hosting my own DNS would result in immediate propagation of the domain? The minute I register the site can go live? Nice.
Thats why this time with ServerBeech I only had ot wait a few hours as opposed to a couple days like previous with my shared hosting acocunts.???
Your GoDaddy controls the number of sub-domain? I had several setup on my previous shared accounts, I thought it was specific to the server? How does GoDaddy come into the picture here?
Thanks for the reply.
Posted: Sun May 13, 2007 1:30 pm
by Chris Corbyn
Hockey wrote:Thanks for that. So hosting my own DNS would result in immediate propagation of the domain? The minute I register the site can go live? Nice.
Not true. Propogation is beyond your control. It usually only takes a few hours though. When you change your config in many servers they won't release those changes immediately since it often requires a bind-reload which is better done at regular intervals than on immediate request. You can do that yourself with your own server though.
Thats why this time with ServerBeech I only had ot wait a few hours as opposed to a couple days like previous with my shared hosting acocunts.???
Nope. Propogation is just faster these days that's all. Your other host was probably only refreshing their BIND data once an hour or something. Maybe even once a day.
Your GoDaddy controls the number of sub-domain? I had several setup on my previous shared accounts, I thought it was specific to the server? How does GoDaddy come into the picture here?
Thanks for the reply.
I don't use GoDaddy, I buy from UK registrars, but most registrars give you a limited number of subdomains and anything extra you have to start paying for. I doubt GoDaddy let you add as many subdomains as you like without paying extra. It's just a way to make money out of those who don't know you can maintain your own zone files and have as many subdomains as you like.
Personally, unless you have more than one server, or at least have someone else offering to AXFR copy your zones for slaves purposes I'd just use the registrar though. I currently run DNS on my server, then have AXFR copying to 1and1. I also run my own MX, but have a slave set up at Black Cat Networks. Don't put all your eggs in one box.
Posted: Sun May 13, 2007 4:14 pm
by alex.barylski
I'm missing something.
On my shared host I think the most I ever setup was 8 sub-domains:
support.domain.com
dev.domain.com
desig.domain.com
and so on with no problems...
How is GoDaddy any part of that? I managed all these sub-domains though my control panel on the server?
Posted: Sun May 13, 2007 5:24 pm
by Chris Corbyn
Sorry. I thought you were sayig that GoDaddy were handling your DNS settings. As in, I thought you were logging into GoDaddy to add subdomains via a web interface with a fixed number of input boxes. Are GoDaddy just hosting your sites?
Posted: Sun May 13, 2007 10:26 pm
by alex.barylski
d11wtq wrote:Sorry. I thought you were sayig that GoDaddy were handling your DNS settings. As in, I thought you were logging into GoDaddy to add subdomains via a web interface with a fixed number of input boxes. Are GoDaddy just hosting your sites?
GoDaddy just acts as my registrar...cheap domain names

Posted: Mon May 14, 2007 1:54 pm
by califdon
d11wtq wrote:I don't use GoDaddy, I buy from UK registrars, but most registrars give you a limited number of subdomains and anything extra you have to start paying for. I doubt GoDaddy let you add as many subdomains as you like without paying extra. It's just a way to make money out of those who don't know you can maintain your own zone files and have as many subdomains as you like.
Nice explanation of how DNS works. I just wanted to add that I am a GoDaddy customer and their hosting service includes unlimited domains management. Limited only by their generous disk storage limits. Even on their cheapest plans. And their DNS updating is quite timely. They also have excellent help desk support, albeit not toll-free. About their only downside that I've found is their MISERABLE user interface.