Hello All,

I've done some thorough research and has decided to purchase a Linode VPS. I just have one question that needs to be clarified before I move ahead. I understand that Linode has a wonderful dns manager but does Linode allow running a private nameserver?

I need private nameserver as it has been insisted by my partners. If this is not an option over here, the I guess I would have to go the WIREDTREE way!

Thanks in advance.

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.

Your DNS servers are supposed to be on different subnets, not multiple IPs on one machine.


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.

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/ Peter

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.

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.

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/ Peter

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.

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Matt Nordhoff (aka Peng on IRC)

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

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!

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.

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/ Peter

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.

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Matt Nordhoff (aka Peng on IRC)

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.

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!