Topic: DNS Server built-in or BIND need installing

[stuartornum]

Hi,

Just thought i'd start a separate topic for this for future peoples references.

DNS Server? Is there one built in?

Does it create the NX, A, CNAME, AAAA, SOA ... automatically, because I cannot seem to find the settings?

Also I have only given it a local IP, (Router with ports forwarding) is this a problem.

What about giving the server multiple IP's (Public some soon, hopefully)

Thanks

[mmccarn]

DNS Server? Is there one built in?

TinyDNS

Does it create the NX, A, CNAME, AAAA, SOA ... automatically, because I cannot seem to find the settings?

SME creates the MX, A and PTR records required for the software that comes installed with SME.  Anything else would require customization (search the forums for "tinydns", and read the manual on how to use the template system).

Also I have only given it a local IP, (Router with ports forwarding) is this a problem.

Not a problem if your server is configured in "server-only" mode - this is a supported configuration.

What about giving the server multiple IP's (Public some soon, hopefully)

This is harder...

[CharlieBrady]

DNS Server? Is there one built in?

Is that not clear from the documentation here? If not, then please raise bugs in the Bug Tracker to have the website and documentation updated.

> SME creates the MX, A and PTR records required for the software that comes
> installed with SME.

Note that the DNS which it creates only describes the local network, and is not visible from the Internet.

[stuartornum]

> SME creates the MX, A and PTR records required for the software that comes
> installed with SME.

Note that the DNS which it creates only describes the local network, and is not visible from the Internet.

I want this machine to be visible to the internet though? Therefore should I disable tinydns, and use BIND, which I configure using Webmin. (Webmin is stopped when finished doing changes, so is not on normally).

Thanks
Stuart

[gelcube]

There's really no reason to use BIND, as I believe there are still a lot of unresolved security holes, and tinydns is a functional equivalent.

There's a contrib that allows you to use SME as a public DNS server.  I'd do a search and see if you can find it and install it.  At least, there was one for 6.x.  I don't know if it's been updated for 7.0 yet.

BTW, Webmin is most definitely NOT recommended on SME, as it will break things pretty badly.

[CharlieBrady]

Therefore should I disable tinydns, and use BIND

No, unless you really know DNS inside out, you should use a professional DNS service - they're usually bundled with the DNS registration fees, or are otherwise freely available.