Manage DNS
You register a domain name with a domain name registrar. After registration,
- you can modify your domain information (registrant, technical, and billing Contact);
- you can add, modify, or delete the host for the domain name server (example: ns.xyz.hk). If you use external DNS, you don't need to care this part.
- You can modify the DNS for your domain to any other external DNS.
If you host your own DNS, you need to create zone and DNS records.
- You create a master zone if you want to act the primary DNS for a domain.
- You create a slave zone if you want to act the secondary DNS for a domain.
Important files and commands in the server
Pre-configured Bind file: /etc/bind/named.conf
Main Bind configuration file: /etc/bind/named.conf.local - This is where you can insert your zones (a zone is a domain name that is referenced in the DNS server).
Bind Options file : /etc/bind/named.conf.options
Zone definition files: You should have a file for each of your zones. They are put in the folder /etc/bind/.
Restart bind: sudo /etc/init.d/bind9 restart
Free DNS and useful DNS tools
- ZoneEdit - ZoneEdit hosts reliable DNS servers. Free for first 2 zones; about US $1 per month per zone afterwards.
- Dyn: Managed DNS and Email Delivery
- Managed DNS Hosting | DNS Made Easy
- intoDNS - checks DNS and mail servers health