Topic: Subdomains in SME 6

[Auron]

When you are using a service like dyndns.org do you need to create an "A" record for your subdomain?  Do you need to create a hostname AND virtual domain on your SME 6 box?  If there are any good tutorials available, please let me know.  I can't get my subdomain (xxx.domain.com) working properly.

Thanks,
Auron

[Bob King]

> When you are using a service like dyndns.org do you need to
> create an "A" record for your subdomain?  

Yes

>Do you need to create a hostname AND virtual domain on your SME 6 box?

Create a host name if you want to host the subdomain on a different machine.

Create a virtual domain if you want to host the subdomain in an I-Bay on your SME server.

[Auron]

Thank you for your help, Bob.

I ran into this in the past, but it looks like all the subdomain is doing is redirecting me to the main site (www.domain.com).  The "A" record is pointing to my router which then points to my SME 6 box.  I set up Virtual DNS, HTTP, HTTPS, POP, IMAP on the router...all pointing to my SME 6 box...but none of it seems to be helping.

Any suggestions?

[SloopJohnB]

Are you using SME as the gateway to the net? Or are you in Server mode behind a router? In either case you could try to set either your client as DHCP, add the local ip of your SME server as the primary DNS server, or change your client proxy settings to the SME box. The let us know your cname your trying to add and we'll see if we can hit it from outside...

SloopJohnB

[Auron]

Sloop,
If I understood a word of what you just said, I'd be more than happy to comply.  My SME box is in server-only mode but when you start talking about DNS and proxy settings, I start to tune out.  When a request for xxx.domain.com is sent to my router, how is it processed?

Thank you for your time and help.

Auron

[SloopJohnB]

Sorry about the jibberish. There are three sides to the issue, 1) getting to the right public ip address (ie, thru DYNDNS.org or zonedit...) from the outside world  2) Once inside the local network, getting to the right server that has the the website setup in a folder. 3) Making it so that the internal PC's know what is local internet and what is not.

So, you first must concentrate on accessing the web from within your network. The best suggestion, since you are using Server only mode, is to disable DHCP on your router, and configure SME as the DHCP server. Then setup the windows client (or linux client) for DHCP. Your problem for accessing what you want on the internal side will be solved.

The better solution is to install the two NIC's and let the SME server act as gateway & server.

My idea is that once your internal PC's are accessing everthing through your SME FIRST, then the SME server will decide what is local traffic and not.

Once you have mastered this aspect of the project, then you should focus on letting the outside see your masterpiece (by verifying the settings at the DYNDNS.org or zoneedit level, assuming this is what you are using).

If you think in terms that the server is in the middle you can trace from the middle out or from the out to the middle. Either way, nix the cable/DSL/gateway/router (if there is one), and let the SME server do all the work.

SloopJOhnB

[Jon Blakely]

Auron,

Have you applied the updates to SME6. If not then this is your problem. There is bug fix in the updates that allows virtual domains to work correctly.

Jon

[Bob King]

Auron,

In addition to installing the latest updates (look at the README file first) make sure that your virtual domains are pointing to the correct I-Bays and not your Main site.

Bob

[Auron]

Thank you all for the support.

To Jon and Bob,
The issue with bugs/patches has been clarified.  I have the latest version (6.0beta3) and my virtual domain is pointing to the correct i-bay.

To Sloop,
If I were to use my SME box as the server and gateway to the internet, what kind of security would I have/have lost (i.e. firewall)?  My router is currently providing the DHCP service to my LAN as well as wireless connectivity.  But all the machines on my home network are running static IP (outside the DHCP range) so the DHCP service isn't needed at this point.  Is it common/standard for routers to provide DNS?  Also, my ISP is PPPoE so I'd have to configure the SME box for this type of account.

[boris]

Auron,
if you are using static IPs on your LAN, change DNS and WINS on the workstations to point to your SME server. It will resolve internal and external addresses for you.

[Jon Blakely]

Auron,

You may have SME6.0beta3 but have you applied the updates, that are available on the mirrors, as well.

Jon

[dave]

Auron,

As others here have suggested, it's always best to install the latest updates.  SME6 is still considered beta and even the latest release (beta 3) had issues that the updates will address.

You asked if it's common for these DSL router appliances to provide DNS services, it varies.  More advanced ones, particularly those that have internet access logs, will be able to provide name services to your network.  Cheaper ones probably won't.  If yours does provide these services, it'll be detailed in the user manual.

As for setting your SME server up in server and gateway mode, this lets the SME software become your firewall and provide name services (DNS) and etc to your internal network.  Having a cable/DSL router between SME and the internet often times causes more trouble than it's worth.  SME is a very good firewall, I've read here that people have been able to crack a DSL router without much effort but SME is much more solid.  That's not to say SME is unbreakable, just saying SME is an excellent firewall as well as provide network services.  If you set SME up as the gateway in server and gateway mode, most if not all of these DNS issues will go away.

A last alternative may be to add entries into the hosts file on the local PC's.  If your clients are Windows, check this path:
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\lmhosts or C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\etc\hosts.  Check the file named lmhosts.sam (in the same folder) for syntax.  I wouldn't recommend this as anytime you create a new domain name, you'll have to update this hosts file on each machine on the local network.

Good luck,
Dave

[Auron]

To every single person who took their time to help me, I thank you tremendously.  My SME 6 Box is now my server and gateway and I have applied the appropriate patches.  My sub-domains are now working perfectly.  My DNS is working perfectly.  My router is still working effectively behind my SME box.  Every other machine on my network is working ABSOLUTELY PERFECTLY.  I couldn't have done it without your support.

[Harold]

Auron wrote:

> To every single person who took their time to help me, I
> thank you tremendously.
...
>  I couldn't have done it without your
> support.

You couldn't have done it without the people who actually wrote the software (and gave it to you) ....

H.

[SloopJohnB]

Amen