newbie needs help re: SBC - DNS record

[/dev/rob0]

On Friday 2005-September-09 19:19, Japhy wrote:
> I am setting up a network for a friend of mine who is starting a
> small business.  They have a dsl line installed by SBC, and received
> 5 public IP addresses.

Probably a /29 block of 8, less the network, broadcast, and an IP 
address for the SBC router equipment. (It's possible that you could use 
the network and broadcast IP's, but you can check on that later if 
necessary.)

> They have registered a domain name with network solutions and want to
> host the web server themselves behind firewall I am setting up.
> I am trying to get SBC to set up a DNS record pointing their domain
> name to 1 of these IP addresses, but everyone at SBC acts like I am
> speaking Greek.  *****Isn't this a service that an ISP, like SBC,
> would provide? *****  I think I just must be talking to the wrong

Some might, but I don't personally know any ISP I would trust with such 
a thing. No, their job is not your forward DNS. Anyway I do have some 
experience with SBC, and they are one of the worst, in terms of 
competence and clue.

> people, but I've spoken to 5 and am getting nowhere.  I am simply
> asking them if they can set up a DNS record (PTR?) to point the
> domain name to the IP. Obviously, I'm no DNS expert, and I don't want

Obviously, because you have it reversed. The PTR points the IP address 
to the domain name (hostname.) Yes, the ISP would manage the reverse 
DNS for you. Yes, it might be difficult at SBC and others to find 
someone who knows that.

> to set up a DNS server to broadcast.  What terminology do I need to
> use with these people?  Or am I wrong in assuming they would do it,
> if my client is hosting their own server?

If you need reverse DNS, or IP-to-hostname resolution, set up, talk to 
them and ask for that. The telephone monkey won't know what you are on 
about but they might have those keywords in their lookups.

If you're wanting forward DNS, or hostname-to-IP resolution, set up, 
you're wrong. They MIGHT do it for an extra fee, but I would strongly 
advise against doing that.

> What are my options, then, 
> other than setting up my own DNS server?

I've not dealt with Netsol much but I understand they will do DNS 
hosting for an exorbitant fee. There are other providers. I've had 
reasonably good luck with Zoneedit, although their BIND 8 servers don't 
play well with notify, and I almost trashed my DNS by experimenting 
with DNAME.

None of that should matter to you or your friend's business. They have 
HTTP[S] management of your DNS such that you won't need to know 
anything beyond what is covered in their online keyed FAQ.

Best of all you should be able to get it for free. Small-time users 
easily remain below the limit of the free service. (5 zones and I think 
200MB/year per zone. Increase your TTL values to decrease the bandwidth 
needed. They default to 7200, 2 hours, which is a bit low.)
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