Thread: DNS Setup

Background:
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I am setting up (or will be soon) a colo w2k3 server mainly for hosting web sites I design for my clients (small businesses). The clients will only have 'write' access to the server by way of the content managment system I integrate with their web site.

I will only have 1-2u of space (i.e. 1 server which I've yet to build), 1 power socket, and a small number of IP addresses. I am familiar with w2k server, but have yet to get my hands on w2k3, hence some of my questions below.

I think it would be useful to be able to a limited number of pop mail accounts with my web offering so I'm considering running a smallish mail server on the server too.

My questions are:
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How do I handle the DNS?
The primary and secondary DNS's would be run by the domain registrar usually right??
Do I need to have a seperate one? In which case would/could I use the built in w2k3 DNS service in the same server?
What about queing of incoming mail if the server goes down - I notice some third party DNS companies offer mail holding for a period of time if the mail server they are forwarding to is off line - is this worth having?

[I am hoping I can run several mail domains on the one IP address, and the web sites will be virtual folders on the 1 IP ( in most cases).]

Any advice/epxerience much appreciated.

Flash

You can also use a free secondary DNS provider...


http://www.zoneedit.com (they also provide backup MX service)


http://soa.granitecanyon.com/

http://freedns.afraid.org/

http://www.everydns.net/