DNS Server Setup

Typically you will have one Primary DNS Server and a number (one or more) Secondary DNS Servers. The Secondary DNS servers take a copy of a zone from the Primary server (Zone Transfer).

If Zone Transfers are not permitted then you would have to maintain two separate copies of the same zone. Making sure the two match manually. That's not ideal because it's rather more work (and has more room for something to be wrong).

There are a few rules that should be obeyed:

1. All Authoritative DNS servers should be listed in the NS Records
2. All Name Servers used should be listed at the parent (set with your domain registrar)

Will you be managing the DNS Server yourself? Or are you paying for a hosting solution?

Chris

Hi Chris

I will be managing the servers by myself. I am planning for 2 servers 1 is primary & the 2nd will be the secondary. It will be installed under ISP2 network. For setting up these servers what should i ask frolpm the ISP2 & what help will be required from them.
I will be using the exixting domains which is currenlty used. All the services are running under the ISP1 network. Currentky I have A record , NS record & Cname  . I will be maintaing the same,
Like for MX record i need to do delegation should i cater any thing like this from my both ISPs to have this done. I will be using 2 servers with linux & BIND latest version

It depends, from your previous pictures they were just providing the connection, is that correct?

If so, for forward lookup ISP2 don't need to do anything. You will need to modify the NS records listed with your registrar so the server on ISP2 is used in addition to the server at ISP1.

That differs from reverse lookup if you're going to manage it, that needs to be delegated as per our previous discussions on this.

Chris

My current DNS entry for NS  is
                IN      NS      mydnshostname1.abc.com.
                IN      NS      mydnshostname2.abc.com.
                IN      NS      ISP1DNS1.
                IN      NS      ISP1DNS2.

So I need to change as below. Let me know if this is right.

                IN      NS      mydnshostname1.abc.com.
                IN      NS      mydnshostname2.abc.com.
                IN      NS      ISP1DNS1.
                IN      NS      ISP1DNS2.
                IN      NS      ISP2DNS1.
                IN      NS      ISP2DNS2.

yes they are just providing the connection. But they can also provide secondary DNS functionality

Okay, makes sense.

Your NS records look good, I guess all of those servers will be listed on the parent (with your registrar)? Or do they only allow you to list two?

You should also have glue for your name servers in there. At least some of the A records are out-of-zone data, but Glue is only handed out when NS records are requested to save further lookups.

Chris

                IN      NS      mydnshostname1.abc.com.
                IN      NS      mydnshostname2.abc.com.
                IN      NS      ISP1DNS1.
                IN      NS      ISP1DNS2.
                IN      NS      ISP2DNS1.
                IN      NS      ISP2DNS2.
 
; Glue for NS Records
mydnshostname1.abc.com.  IN A  1.2.3.4
mydnshostname2.abc.com.  IN A  1.2.3.5
ISP1DNS1.  IN A  2.3.4.5
ISP1DNS2.  IN A  2.3.4.6
ISP2DNS1.  IN A  3.4.5.6
ISP2DNS2.  IN A  3.4.5.7

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Your NS records look good, I guess all of those servers will be listed on the parent (with your registrar)? Or do they only allow you to list two?

I am not sure of it . Should i ask my ISP1 regarding this.

Regarding A record i will take care to include all the currently available A record

If ISP1 are who maintain the domain registration for you yes.

You should be able to have up to 13 DNS servers listed, more than enough room to cover those mentioned above.

Chris

yes ISP 1 is maintaining the domain registration.

u have mentioned that i need to include 13 DNS servers . Instead of that can i list the DNS servers of  my second ISP < ISP2>
WIll it help

Not quite, the maximum you could include is 13 (limitations on UDP packet size, or why there are 13 root DNS servers). Those you have are more than enough :)

Chris

I am planning to install the new DNS servers in parallel to the existing DNS server for the smmoth phasing out of the old server.
My plan is install the new server under the ISP2 network. We have multiple zone files in our existing DNS server.
Move only 1 Zone under this newly setup DNS server.
The zone file will have the following.

                IN      NS      mydnshostname1.abc.com.
                IN      NS      mydnshostname2.abc.com.
                IN      NS      ISP1DNS1.
                IN      NS      ISP1DNS2.
                IN      NS      ISP2DNS1.
                IN      NS      ISP2DNS2.
 
; Glue for NS Records
mydnshostname1.abc.com.  IN A  1.2.3.4
mydnshostname2.abc.com.  IN A  1.2.3.5
ISP1DNS1.  IN A  2.3.4.5
ISP1DNS2.  IN A  2.3.4.6
ISP2DNS1.  IN A  3.4.5.6
ISP2DNS2.  IN A  3.4.5.7
Internet DNS IN A 1.1.1.1

In case of shifting the MX record ISP2 should provide the delegation.

Please let mw know if i am right

The MX will appear in the file you have above as below.

Remember that Forward Lookup Zones follow the delegation path from root to top level domain (.com, .net, etc) to your own name servers. ISP2 isn't involved in that delegation path at all.

All you need to do is ensure the MX entry is correct in the zone file.

Chris

                IN      NS      mydnshostname1.abc.com.
                IN      NS      mydnshostname2.abc.com.
                IN      NS      ISP1DNS1.
                IN      NS      ISP1DNS2.
                IN      NS      ISP2DNS1.
                IN      NS      ISP2DNS2.
 
; Glue for NS Records
mydnshostname1.abc.com.  IN A  1.2.3.4
mydnshostname2.abc.com.  IN A  1.2.3.5
ISP1DNS1.  IN A  2.3.4.5
ISP1DNS2.  IN A  2.3.4.6
ISP2DNS1.  IN A  3.4.5.6
ISP2DNS2.  IN A  3.4.5.7
Internet DNS IN A 1.1.1.1
 
; MX Record
@               IN      MX   10   mail.domain.com.

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Hi Chris - How to make one server as primary & the other server as secondary.
Is this DNS settgins to make one server as primary & the other server as secondary

Thanks