I'm rather new to all this stuff ...

Since it takes days to propagate DNS info on the net, I'd like to be sure if I'm doing it the right way ...

I've registered a domain through www.namesarecheap.com
I also rent a dedicated server on rackshack.

I've changed the DNS info so it points to rackshack nameservers (it's currently propagating .... slowly ...).

Now the next thing I need to do is request rackshack to change their DNS config so that my domain maps to my IP address .... right ?

Thanks for the help !

Correct.
They will need an A record, an MX record and a Cname for www and possibily ftp and mail as well.

Originally posted by francois


Now the next thing I need to do is request rackshack to change their DNS config so that my domain maps to my IP address .... right ?

Thanks for the help !

Hi Buddy...

I've not used RaqShack - BUT I thought they'd give you access to the DNS Admin... If not oh well.

Have them setup the following for you:

--
yourdomain.com IN A 127.0.0.1
yourdomain.com IN MX 0 yourdomain.com
*.yourdomain.com IN A 127.0.0.1
--

Obviously you need to replace 'yourdomain.com' with your actual domain name and the IP with your RaQ's IP. Don't both with CNAMES as if your on a Cobalt then everything is handled by same unit anyway (e.g. RaQ's services for FTP/MAIL) ...

The second A Record (*.yourdomain.com) will direct all NON-SPECIFIED hosts not in your Zone Record to be redirected to your RaQ's root site.

This sames you from having to have:

yourdomain.com IN A 127.0.0.1
ftp.yourdomain.com IN CNAME yourdomain.com
www.yourdomain.com IN CNAME yourdomain.com
pop.yourdomain.com IN CNAME yourdomain.com

BUT if your email is being handled by someone else or another system then you need to apply changes to the zone file:

--
yourdomain.com IN A 127.0.0.1
yourdomain.com IN MX 0 email.handlinghost.com
*.yourdomain.com IN A 127.0.0.1
--