Hello all! I got a question before setting this up. because it takes 24 hours to resolve so I don't want to lose my site here. And I am very new to setting up websites, and this is my first website. So kindly be patient on me, Thank you! -Is it possible to use namecheaps DNS / nameservers and host my site somewhere free link freehostia or awardspace, instead using freehostia's DNS? I need to this to setup CNAME for the site and Freehostia does'nt offer CNAME change. I think Namecheap does.(im not so sure) Thanks and Regards, kiwin
Yes that should work fine, you just need to put the IP of the server into the DNS record. There is one gotcha which we warn our hosting clients about if they are using nameservers other than ours, that is if for any reason the server is lost we can restore backups to spare servers. For those using our DNS servers the IP change is automatic as we update their zone files for them so their sites are online much quicker than those using their own nameservers who would have to contact us for the new IP, then update their DNS before waiting for it to propagate. Due to that we always recommend our clients use our nameservers and if they don't well they were warned and it is very rare to have a server completely self destruct.
Ok, Thank you. I also the hosting and they said it would be harder for it to diagnose problems too.. And problem with freehostia is they don't allow sendmail() function for free accounts. so no contact form. Also they can't change CNAME even on paid hostings.
Not really, but if the host says it's a DNS issue then it's up to you to figure it out without their help. I think you need to find yourself a better host, most reputable hosts will allow sendmail, as for adding a CNAME they should all be able to do that it's not rocket science. We add CNAME entries for free if a client raises a ticket for it.
If your host doesn't have an option to add DNS CNAME record in their cpanel they should set it up for you.
i just messed up my site. lol now it is down. so how to do this properly? I switched back my DNS to namecheap where i got the domain and hosted at freehostia, so what A address do I put in namecheap? and what about freehostia? I just need the cname managed at namecheap.
You need to get the server IP from freehostia, only they know the IP assigned to your site unless it's in your welcome email. freehostia just need to create the account for you, all the DNS is managed by you and namecheap.
If you have no joy getting the IP and if you know the freehostia nameservers you were using for the domain, then give me them and your domain name and I should be able to lookup the old A and MX records for you.
Hello tolra! Thank you so much it is very helpful of you. How can i check if I sucessfully set up the cname and mx and such? I just used the IP from the HOST A record and placed it in namecheap. is that right? A record is used to point to a website right? So what is dynamicDNS then for? Do i need this? or i'll only need this when using own host/server? Thanks and Regards, kiwin
You need entries for yourdomain.com, www.yourdomain.com and an MX record. yourdomain.com and www.yourdomain.com are normally A with your IP MX is the name of your mailserver e.g. yourdomain.com For a CNAME you have a name e.g tolra and what you want it mapped to e.g. tolranet.co.uk so: tolra CNAME tolranet.co.uk. Note: trailing . on tolranet.co.uk, it stops your domain name being appended. Now tolra.yourdomain.com will resolve to tolranet.co.uk. You can use dnsstuff.com to test your domain is properly configured.
DNSSTUFF.com is giving me 3 warning right now I can't see them though. But website (A) and mx record as well as cname are working fine i think. I think i set it up 2 days ago correctly. Thank you for your assistance tolra really helpful of you! So to sum up: A is for the IP in whenever I am hosted right. MX is for mail and CNAME are for something like redirection. Again your assistance is highly appreciated tolra!
Thank you so much tolra for your assistance! I guess everythig is working now. But i have a last question since I did'nt set-it up yet with where my DNS is(namecheap), What is the nameserver for? If i set it up at namecheap, how am i able to use it with my hosting?
I'm not sure I understand the question, namecheap are providing the nameserver your DNS records are stored on there, but the records list IPs etc for your hosting company. You can run DNS on the same server as the sites are hosted, lots of little hosts do this, or you can have your own dedicated servers for DNS, as we do, or you can host it the way you have.