Setting up DNS for a mail server

[Biggs]

I have a PC(with a static public IP address) that is running a mail server program(IMail) and a domain name registered at NetSol(e.g. testsite.com). IMail requires me to have a DNS server to be able to send/receive mails.

If I ask my ISP to host and register the corresponding MX, A, and PTR records of testsite.com + my PC's IP address on their own DNS servers,

1) Would I need to do something with my NetSol domain account? Hypothetically, could I use any registered domain name, say, anandtech.com?

Would it be recommended that I use my own DNS server? If yes, what would I need to do?

Thanks.

 

[Fuzznuts]

Originally posted by: Biggs
I have a PC(with a static public IP address) that is running a mail server program(IMail) and a domain name registered at NetSol(e.g. testsite.com). IMail requires me to have a DNS server to be able to send/receive mails.

If I ask my ISP to host and register the corresponding MX, A, and PTR records of testsite.com + my PC's IP address on their own DNS servers,

1) Would I need to do something with my NetSol domain account? Hypothetically, could I use any registered domain name, say, anandtech.com?

Would it be recommended that I use my own DNS server? If yes, what would I need to do?

Thanks.

heh gave up the ole loads of peeps using one account idea then 🙂

if the domain is held on netsols servers they will be the SOA ( start of authority) for that domain so any requests for host records, MX etc will all be directed to thier DNS servers.

Does netsol have a web interface that allows you to add remove host records etc to you domain. if so simply add the host and mx record yourself. then ask your isp if they can change the reverse on your static ip to be the same as the host name you setup on netsol.

OR

you could set the primary and secondary servers for your domain (SOA) to your isp's dns servers then they will have control over the domain and you can ask them to add the records for you.

as for running your own its quite easy you would need to set the primary dns for you domain to your public ip. then set up and configure a DNS server on that ip address. windows use simpledns + and for linux use bind.

personally i host all my own DNS the level of instant control you get is just too good to give up on 🙂 if your not confident with dns then i would let the ips take care of it and phone them as and when you need to change things.

and no you cant host any domain thats what SOA is for the request will pass down the dns tree heading for the registered ip address for the SOA. you could set the domains up on your own dns servers but it would only apply to those people who resolve thier dns directly from your dns server. this is a handy way to block domains you dont want people to goto btw 🙂

hope this helps if its abuit vague im tired and sorry 🙂

 

[Biggs]

Hehe, not really. The mail server would be using the IMAP4 protocol = common mailbox. 🙂

Your explanations are on the dot. I've learned a lot . Many thanks again.