Question about private nameservers.

Sure, there's no requirement that you use the Linode DNS servers at all, it's simply a convenience if you wish to take advantage of it.

Since you control what servers are used as authoritative for any of your domains (via your registrar), just point them at whichever nameservers you prefer.

– David

@db3l:

Sure, there's no requirement that you use the Linode DNS servers at all, it's simply a convenience if you wish to take advantage of it.

Since you control what servers are used as authoritative for any of your domains (via your registrar), just point them at whichever nameservers you prefer.

– David

Great! So that implies, I would need to purchase two additional IP's to get started. Linode comes with only 1 IP, if I'm not wrong.

Just to reconfirm, Will IP addresses be allocated If I'm using it for private nameservers? (have heard few hosts being really strict after the IP shortage)

Thanks for your help.

@hostingtube:

Great! So that implies, I would need to purchase two additional IP's to get started. Linode comes with only 1 IP, if I'm not wrong.
Your DNS servers are supposed to be on different subnets, not multiple IPs on one machine.

@hostingtube:

Just to reconfirm, Will IP addresses be allocated If I'm using it for private nameservers? (have heard few hosts being really strict after the IP shortage)
Probably not, but it's moot – you don't need them. Having three IPs on one machine provides no redundancy, and redundancy is the whole point of having multiple DNS servers.

> Probably not, but it's moot – you don't need them. Having three IPs on one machine provides no redundancy, and redundancy is the whole point of having multiple DNS servers.

Well, I'm a bit confused :?: My requirement here is to have nameservers pointing to my own domain like ns1.myhostname.com ns2..myhostname.com and so on..

Can you please help me understand how I can achieve this on Linode. All the other providers I checked with had docs somewhere which explains how to go about it, but couldn't find it here on Linode.

Appreciate your help.

@pclissold:

@hostingtube:

Great! So that implies, I would need to purchase two additional IP's to get started. Linode comes with only 1 IP, if I'm not wrong.
Your DNS servers are supposed to be on different subnets, not multiple IPs on one machine.

@hostingtube:

Just to reconfirm, Will IP addresses be allocated If I'm using it for private nameservers? (have heard few hosts being really strict after the IP shortage)
Probably not, but it's moot – you don't need them. Having three IPs on one machine provides no redundancy, and redundancy is the whole point of having multiple DNS servers.

FYI Linode won't allow you to buy more than 1 IP address per VPS if you're using it for DNS purposes.

I tried to purchase an additional IP address for my cPanel/WHM set-up so that I could have additional nameservers and was told by Linode support that this wasn't an acceptable use of an IP address.

Technically they're correct, however this doesn't help people who don't have deep pockets to purchase an additional linode…

You may need to look around for another provider as I've had to do where they provide more than 1 IP address per VPS.

The point of having multiple nameservers is to provide redundancy. Having two IPs on the same machine does not provide redundancy so Linode doesn't support it. If you want to run your own nameservers and do it properly, you need two separate machines.

If you only have one Linode, it doesn't matter much for practical purposes if you do have two nameservers on a single machine – if the machine is down, that lack of DNS service is irrelevant.

If you want to go this route, the only way to do it at Linode is to find a legitimate reason to run two TLS-enabled websites on your Linode. That gets you a second IP and you can run your nameserver on it as well.

But the right route to go is to get additional nodes (or servers from other providers) in different locations, so you'll have actual redundancy. Faking it by putting two IPs on a box is cheating, and, you know, not redundant.

Or, of course, to go about this a different way, by using Linode's DNS service – perhaps running a master on your node, if you need the additional control -- or some other DNS service.

Edit: Rereading earlier posts, this one wasn't really necessary. But additional head-thwapping about redundant DNS shouldn't hurt. ;-)

@pclissold:

The point of having multiple nameservers is to provide redundancy. Having two IPs on the same machine does not provide redundancy so Linode doesn't support it. If you want to run your own nameservers and do it properly, you need two separate machines.

Well, that makes sense. But I don't think I would be able to purchase two Linode's at this moment. Can this be done by any external dns hosting services like mydns.com? I might sound stupid, I have to learn this dns stuff ASAP :)

@mnordhoff:

Edit: Rereading earlier posts, this one wasn't really necessary. But additional head-thwapping about redundant DNS shouldn't hurt. ;-)

Appreciate your response. I'm just trying to figure out what to do next to have a completely branded name servers for my customers. I'm ready to get an account with a third party dns service as well, if that is a solution :)

Also, All the other providers, (Wiredtree & Knownhost) seems to have an easy solution for having a branded name server. I don't understand what is the real difference (my ignorance) when it comes to Linode!

@hostingtube:

Also, All the other providers, (Wiredtree & Knownhost) seems to have an easy solution for having a branded name server. I don't understand what is the real difference (my ignorance) when it comes to Linode!

Wiredtree and Knownhost are managed VPS services, so they go the extra mile compared to what Linode does for its unmanaged service (and they charge more).

Zoneedit will do DNS for your first two zones for free. I don't use their DNS service (I use Linode's DNS, slaved off a bind instance on one of my 'nodes), but I have used their backup mailserver facility for years and they've always been good.

Since the original question has been answered a few times over now…

This has been bugging me since it was first posted. Why is having a "branded" nameserver so damn important? If it's so important, why won't they buck up $20/mo to pay for an additional server?

Out of the nearly 2 billion people sitting on the internet you might have a few dozen people who'll actually look at that information. If this is to hide where the sites are actually hosted, this isn't going to do the trick. Arin will reveal who owns the IP.

waldo:

The one good reason I've found is if you're providing hosting. You don't want your clients entering "nsX.linode.com" at their registrar, and then having to change it if you want to move them or something. Telling them to enter "nsX.waldonode.com" gives you full control.

@waldo:

If this is to hide where the sites are actually hosted, this isn't going to do the trick. Arin will reveal who owns the IP.

Actually the purpose is to make the shifting process seamless. Forgot to add that we are providing webhosting. It wouldn't be good to ask the customers change the nameservers If we move on to a different host.

@mnordhoff:

waldo:

The one good reason I've found is if you're providing hosting. You don't want your clients entering "nsX.linode.com" at their registrar, and then having to change it if you want to move them or something. Telling them to enter "nsX.waldonode.com" gives you full control.

You are right! That explains the whole stuff. This is what exactly we are trying to accomplish.

EDIT: If you have any easy solution, please lemme know!

@pclissold:

Zoneedit will do DNS for your first two zones for free. I don't use their DNS service (I use Linode's DNS, slaved off a bind instance on one of my 'nodes), but I have used their backup mailserver facility for years and they've always been good.

That explains a whole lot of things. Appreciate your time.

This is for a real business purpose and you guys can't afford an extra $20/mo for an extra VPS to host name servers for your clients or $40/mo for 2 name servers that are totally separate from your web hosting server(s)? Um, ok

@waldo:

This is for a real business purpose and you guys can't afford an extra $20/mo for an extra VPS to host name servers for your clients or $40/mo for 2 name servers that are totally separate from your web hosting server(s)? Um, ok

Well, then we could have opted for other providers with managed VPS, though they are on the expensive side. Adding another 20$ we can run on a Wiredtree managed solution!

I simply created A records in my domain to point to Linodes DNS servers. Then I get my branded DNS and can easily change services without having to notify the customers.

@carmp3fan:

I simply created A records in my domain to point to Linodes DNS servers. Then I get my branded DNS and can easily change services without having to notify the customers.

Great! What are the potential pitfalls in doing so?

The potential pitfall is that Linode can change the IPs of their nameservers at any time. I mean, it's not like they do, but they could, and you'd be in trouble.

@mnordhoff:

The potential pitfall is that Linode can change the IPs of their nameservers at any time. I mean, it's not like they do, but they could, and you'd be in trouble.

Good pointer. Do you have any other suggestion for implementing this other than what is already said on the previous replies? All of them have been really helpful.

@hostingtube:

Good pointer. Do you have any other suggestion for implementing this other than what is already said on the previous replies? All of them have been really helpful.

Sorry, I don't. This is one DNS-related issue I've never dealt with. I don't run a hosting service, so I'm perfectly happy to stick nsX.linode.com and such in my NS records.

@hostingtube:

Good pointer. Do you have any other suggestion for implementing this other than what is already said on the previous replies? All of them have been really helpful.

How many servers are you planning on needing to host all of your accounts? If it's more than 1 it's a no brainer, your web servers can double as your ns servers. If your only needing 1 server right now for your accounts, get an additional server, could just be a 512 for this purpose, preferably in another DC for your 2nd name server. You'll have 2 servers and you can spread your accounts out. All for either the same $$/month or less than the VPS providers you've mentioned here.

http://www.dnsmadeeasy.com/index.html

Use a external dns hosting company - that way your domain name registrar, your hosting, and your dns service is all separate.

@waldo:

If your only needing 1 server right now for your accounts, get an additional server, could just be a 512 for this purpose, preferably in another DC for your 2nd name server. You'll have 2 servers and you can spread your accounts out. All for either the same $/month or less than the VPS providers you've mentioned here.

That looks like a good idea, but right now we are needing only one server. Guess we would need to go with the single name server option for the time being.

To keep this post visible and help clarify for newer folks, I've linked to this discussion in a new Community post here:

Should I run one server with multiple nameservers?