DNS and Hostnames

mdj101 · 25th April 2008

Hi All.

I recently purchased a dedicated server from PoundHost which so far I am very pleased with the server and the support (very quick)!!

However. I'm having some issues getting the DNS and Especially the hostnames sorted.

As far as I am aware the hostname set on the actual machine (win 2003) does very little as it doesnt talk to the outside world. All my other dedicated machines with various other companies use their network DNS server and the server is allocated a hostname there.

Alas, Poundhost don't run their own DNS servers. So i need some advice and help on what to do next.

JamieBeeston · 25th April 2008

Just buy a domain somewhere and either point the A records for that domain to your dedicated Servers IP or run a Nameserver on the box and setup DNS for the domain(s) on your server and use it as a nameserver for your domain.

mdj101 · 25th April 2008

Hi Jamie.

I have domains pointing to the box and they resolve i.e. display sites, but i want a hostname so i can set up reverse dns properly etc, or am I missing something here?

JamieBeeston · 25th April 2008

You're missing something here.

You dont need anything special to setup reverseDNS (and you should note, that only the IP owner can setup reverseDNS for you, unless they have delegated you control which is unusual)

Check with PH support, it's what you're paying for!

AdamC · 25th April 2008

Login to your PH portal, goto Network and click 'IP Allocation' and you can easily add a reverse DNS record like Jamie says.

https://portal.poundhost.com

mdj101 · 25th April 2008

HI Guys,

Yes I know that i can add the reverseDNS in the PH portal, but for this to work for multiple domains on a single IP address you have to point the reverse DNS to the Hostname not a domain name.

mdj101 · 25th April 2008

Sorry, if im being a bit thick!

JamieBeeston · 26th April 2008

We all learnt at one stage.

Karl · 26th April 2008

A hostname is a domain name, same thing, no difference, although a hostname should be in the form . really.

othellotech · 26th April 2008

Quote:

Originally Posted by mdj101

Yes I know that i can add the reverseDNS in the PH portal, but for this to work for multiple domains on a single IP address you have to point the reverse DNS to the Hostname not a domain name.

Hostname = FQDN - Fully Qualified Domain Name
most usually in the form of serverX.domain i.e.
server4.mdj101.co.uk or whatever

"multiple domains" doesnt come into it - it's simply that an IP when looked up *can* return a hostname - i.e. the value of the PTR record in the in-addr.arpa zone for that ip block.

for example:
C:\Users\Rob>nslookup 80.82.140.105
Name: operations.as29527.net
Address: 80.82.140.105

contrasted with:
C:\Users\Rob>nslookup 90.82.140.105
*** can't find 90.82.140.105: Non-existent domain