DNS Setup for Extreme Server Novice - Client Knowledge Advanced

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DNS Setup for Extreme Server Novice - Client Knowledge Advanced

Sorry if this is fully explained somewhere, but I am trying to setup a Leopard server for the first time and I am completely lost when it comes to the DNS setup.

My info:
Static Ip - Business Class broadband
Mac Pro 2.8 Quad running 10.5.4 fully updated.
Server installed and showing up via administrator server admin from Macbook Pro.

I will only have one client (Macbook Pro) as I am using this for a web based service using all the bells and whistles like ical, wiki, ftp, file sharing, etc.

I am completely stumped on how to setup the zones in DNS. Tried once via the Lynda training and when I got to OD setup it didnt work like the video and so they said my DNS wasnt setup correctly. I reverted back to stand alone server, stopped DNS and deleted the zones.

First, DO I really have reformat and start from scratch as Lynda says? If so, ok, Im fine with it. Learning experience.

Second, if not, my server is named scriptnotesonline can someone please help walk me through the DNS setup...Im really stumped here and it's not for lack of trying to find the information. I can pretty much do anything on a mac, but for some reason, this is throwing me for a loop.

Any help is welcome. If I havent posted enough information for the required response, please let me know.

Thanks in advance!

Mac Pro 2.8 Quad, 6gb Ram, Mac OS X (10.5.4)

Posted on Aug 12, 2008 12:52 PM

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Answer 1

Aug 12, 2008 3:26 PM in response to BryanLA

DNS is not something easy to explain. But all of us started out as newbies, so nobody can hold that against you.

First of all, read through EVERY PDF that came on the install disc. This is your bible to Mac OS X. It has instructions for most everything that Apple markets the Server software for. If you're serious about DNS, then go get and read the O'Reilly book "DNS & BIND".

Do you need an OD master?

Did you pick a hostname for your server?

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Answer 2

BryanLA Author

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Aug 13, 2008 8:10 AM in response to Celia Wessen

Im reading through the pdf's and also the Lynda videos. To tell the truth, Im not even sure I need either of those things - Dns and OD since I am mainly using the server for it's web features. I guess my next question would be, if I dont use those features, what will it limit me from doing with the server vs. having them enablesd?

I named the server and I have a domain already. scriptnotesonline is the server name.

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Answer 3

Aug 13, 2008 10:02 AM in response to BryanLA

If you're running only one server, you don't really need an OD master. You can set it up as an Standalone.

If you're running a web server using a URL, like www.scriptnotesonline.com, then you will need to have DNS hosted by a SEPARATE SERVER. You can get two Mac:Minis to do this for you, or you could have a friend host it for you, or you can look for FREE DNS hosting on the net.

Having the server set up as an OD master will enable it to pass along a lot of user and authentication information to other servers in your LAN. It's useful when you have tons of users and tons of data scattered through many servers. Only necessary if you're going to use more than two servers in almost identical usage.

DNS hosting on your own server means that your server has DNS info on OTHER hosts throughout the network. You need this if you have OTHER servers on your network or want to host DNS for a friend or a business client. You may also use the caching feature to speed up frequently visited but hard to reach sites (like Intranets on the other side of the globe). The speed up is negligible and the complicated setup far out weighs the benefits for single purpose servers like yours,

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Answer 4

BryanLA Author

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Aug 13, 2008 11:51 AM in response to Celia Wessen

So the separate dns, I have one through the company I get my broadband from and they also offer advanced DNS service and I am setting that up. But the standalone server will allow me to connect at least a couple clients, correct? I will be using my Macbook Pro to remote connect from the field to manage the server and also at time hard wired when Im at the server site.

I think I now understand the use of the DNS and OD service inside Leopard Server and I would not need either of those services within the scope of my usage.

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Answer 5

Aug 13, 2008 2:23 PM in response to BryanLA

Mac OS X Server in "Standalone" setup is very powerful. It just doesn't share OD information with other Mac OS X Servers (thus you don't have to fuss with setting up DNS first). Hundreds of clients can access the server, as long as your Internet connection can support the bandwidth (Unless you are using AFP only).

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