a little DNS help

[John Cesta]

Kevin,

I guess my question leaves a lot to the imagination. 

I was just trying to get some tips on tightening up my DNS server,
but, the terminology I am using and what is being interpreted are
causing confusion in my post. 

Like I said in the beginning of the post, I *have* successfully run
our DNS for 4 years and it's still running. 

I do understand something about the concept. 

I better back out of this post before I cause anymore confusion.

You should read the entire post and follow ups. Some of your responses
are answered in my follow up posts.

Thanks,

John


On Tue, 18 Nov 2003 18:56:52 -0500, Kevin Darcy
<kcd at daimlerchrysler.com> wrote:

>John Cesta wrote:
>
>>On Fri, 14 Nov 2003 14:16:43 -0500, David Botham
>><DBotham at OptimusSolutions.com> wrote:
>>
>>  
>>
>>>[clip...]
>>>    
>>>
>>>>I know that there are technical problems with this setup. And although
>>>> this has always worked I want to make it right this next time around.
>>>>
>>>>1. What are the steps to creating a new DNS host?
>>>>
>Depends on exactly what you mean by "DNS host". Do you mean 
>*nameserver*? Chapter 4 of _DNS_and_BIND_ steps you through setting up a 
>BIND nameserver. Or, by "DNS host" do you just mean adding the name of a 
>host to DNS? Page 150 talks about adding A records.
>
>>>>2. Does it matter what I name the computer?
>>>>
>Pages 76-78 of the _DNS_and_BIND_ book discuss hostname checking, and 
>give a reference to RFC 952, which defines what is or is not legal for a 
>hostname.
>
>>>>3. When I create the DNS host with a particular IP does the primary IP
>>>>in the computer's NIC adapter need to be the one I register or can it
>>>>be one of the IPs in the NICs Advanced section?
>>>>
>Page 63 of the _DNS_and_BIND_ book discusses multihomed hosts briefly, 
>but basically yours is not even a DNS question. If you're asking "can I 
>use secondary IPs of an interface?" that's an OS question. Seems rather 
>obvious to me that if you can *configure* secondary IPs on an interface, 
>that you'd be able to *use* them, but then, what do I know about 
>whatever unnamed OS you happen to be running...?
>
>>>>4. If the DNS host is going to be named: dns.newdnshost.com what is
>>>>the zone file configuration or is there one?
>>>>
>Again, I refer you to page 150 of the _DNS_and_BIND_ book, which talks 
>about adding records for hosts to zone files.
>
>>>>5. Can I name the DNS host the same domain name as I use on the server
>>>>as a Web site or is that  bad idea?
>>>>
>I'm having a little trouble parsing that question. Are you asking 
>whether it's a good idea to run a nameserver on the same box as a 
>webserver? The first part of chapter 8 of the _DNS_and_BIND_ book talks 
>about some of the performance/availability/security issues you should 
>consider in deciding where and how many nameservers you should run for 
>your domain(s).
>
>>>I think the best course of action would be:
>>>
>>>Obtain and read a copy of "DNS and BIND, 4th Edition, Paul Albitz & Criket 
>>>Liu".  Keep this book on your shelf and consult it often.  It is your 
>>>friend.
>>>
>>>Also, you may want to get a copy of the DNS and BIND Cookbook, Cricket 
>>>Liu, et al.
>>>
>>>
>>>    
>>>
>>
>>Go that book dave. I've had it for years. Doesn't really explain,
>>though,  the basic part that I've outlined above. Thanks
>>  
>>
>I think you need to actually crack the _DNS_and_BIND_ book again and 
>read it more carefully this time...
>
>- Kevin
>
>