Setting up a mail server -> Back to DNS issues

Steven M. Klass sklass at andigilog.com
Thu Jun 29 19:45:48 UTC 2000


At 03:14 PM 6/29/00 -0400, you wrote:
>Assuming you have your own mailserver:
>
>What you need to do is tell Earthlink to point your MX records to
>your static IP. There is a problem, however, with the current name
>resolution. USWest has assigned an A record to your IP:
>jdsl135.phnx.uswest.com. This means anyone/thing doing a reverse
>cross-check for security purposes will get a forward resolution that
>differs from the reverse resolution, i.e. :
>mail.andigilog.com => 216.160.204.35 but
>216.160.204.35 => jdsl135.phnx.uswest.com
>This will almost certainly lead to the erroneous conclusion that some
>nefarious behavior is afoot. This will probably lead to some bounced
>mail and maybe some problems going to 128bit sites.
>You may want to ask USWest to change their A record on the IP
>(good luck on that, though). You may also ask if it could be done
>if they do your DNS rather than Earthlink (a real possiblity - I don't
>have any idea what their policy may be). My _guess_ is you'll just
>have to live with it.
>
>Assuming you don't have your own mailserver:
>
>What you need to do is tell Earthlink to point your MX records to
>a mailhost for later retrieval. This can be done in a variety of ways. You
>should talk to Earthlink or USWest about your options and costs.
>--

Hey Thanks you read my mind!!

         Fortunately, uswest will change their DNS info, since I am leasing 
my IP from them.  Now, the next thing I see is the sequencing of steps to 
get this all accomplished.  Fortunately we have a four day weekend coming, 
and I might attempt to do it this weekend, as to not disrupt service (that 
is my biggest concern).  So could you please review my steps so I can feel 
semi-confident going into this thing?

1.  Make sure my DNS Server works.  I am a little hung on this, simply 
because if uswest will do DNS services for me, I shouldn't have to add any 
zone files to my named.conf file right??  This is the biggest stumbling 
block that I have.  If they own the IP, then they do DNSing, or because I 
own andigilog.com, I do DNSing?  Help me here, I'm a little confused.  In 
any event once this is done verify this looks ok with this group!
   The way I see it, is that if they are going to provide DNS services for 
me, then all I have to do is tell them where I want www / mail / ftp / 
.andigilog.com to go to right -> specifically to budha.andigilog.com?  And 
since I am leasing the line I should be able to have them change the name 
of IP 216.160.204.35 from jdsl35.phnx.uswest.net to 
budha.andigilog.com.  Everything should be kosher then right?  And, since 
they will be doing DNS for me my zone files will be empty short of the two 
required fields root.hints and 127.0.0.in-addr.arpa right?
Again, sorry this is the part I'm confused about.
2.  Verify my mail server works!  And will receive mail for 
budha.andigilog.com as this will be my FQDN right?  Additionally I need to 
verify that my Web server works, since I will be hosting my web space here too.
3.  Swap out budha with the current gateway machine
4.  Update my info at Network Solutions to reflect the ns will be uswest.net
5.  Test this out!

         PLEASE add in any steps or things that I may be missing.  I really 
want this to go smoothly, and if you guys can suggest anything else let me 
know.

Thanks again




Steven M. Klass
Physical Design Engineer

Andigilog Inc.
7404 W. Detroit Street, Suite 100
Chandler, AZ 85226
Ph: 602-940-6200 ext. 18
Fax: 602-940-4255

sklass at andigilog.com
http://www.andigilog.com/





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