Okies, I am thinking about replacing my 2x Windows 2000 Server DNS boxes with 2x Sun Netra X1's (I am taking receipt of the one beginning of next week), however I have heard that only Solaris will run reliably on the Netra X1's, so that is what I will stick with, but I need a reliable DNS server application for this OS, I was recommended PowerDNS because I wanted a web configuration suite to administer the DNS (Power Admin I believe), but it appears this software is not supported by Solaris.... can anyone recommend a good DNS server for Solaris, which has a remote administration web interface or windows GUI (as the remote workstation I would be using is running Windows)

Also, is it at all possible to somehow export the DNS zones from my current 2k DNS server(s) to whatever DNS server I get on the Netra ? I dont have that many zones at the moment, only about 50-60, it could be possible to manually move them over though.... I am only moving from the 2k Server solution as the systems I have have far more horsepower than I am using, both systems are Compaq's, dual CPU's etc, a little overkill for the job and they can be used for a better purprose....

Thanx !!

If you wanted to go the cheap and easy route you could just run BIND with Webmin as your frontend. This might take a bit more know-how to setup than some of the commercial DNS servers out there but it really isn't too difficult.

Exporting your current zones could be easy depending on the format you have stored them in. If on the 2K boxes you have been using the BIND compatible zone files it shouldn't be too much of a problem to cut and paste them to the new machines. If you are using the AD style DNS zones though you will have a lot of cleanup to do.

Originally posted by ringnebula
If you wanted to go the cheap and easy route you could just run BIND with Webmin as your frontend. This might take a bit more know-how to setup than some of the commercial DNS servers out there but it really isn't too difficult.

Exporting your current zones could be easy depending on the format you have stored them in. If on the 2K boxes you have been using the BIND compatible zone files it shouldn't be too much of a problem to cut and paste them to the new machines. If you are using the AD style DNS zones though you will have a lot of cleanup to do.

I was recommended Bind and Webmin about an hour ago, I shall give those a guy, thank you for your recommendation also !

I am unfortunately using AD integrated domains, but I will look into importing them once I have Bind up and running... I am not too bothered about manually inputting them into Bind, as each zone is relatively basic, nothing special (just 2x A records, NS records etc)

Hi Richard

May be i can help you with a small suggesstion. If you can convert AD integrated zone to standard primary zone and copy the text files to the DNS server instead of manually creating. Well i am not sure if this works but you can try.

yeah, the AD integreated zone is very small, only contains a few records...

however, I still use Win2k Server and Active Directory for netlogon's on my network (main function is just running of the login script etc), but if I were to make the new Bind server my primary DNS box, would I still be able to login to the 2k Server domain ?

Hi Richard

Well you won't find any problem loggin into win2k server cause as per my view AD integration encapsulates the DNS zones exporting or importing won't will not trouble the AD database.

Thanks

Hi Again

Have you checked your site via http://zoolnet.co.uk/ it gives 404 error, May be you are working around with DNS .. LOL

Originally posted by supportsup
Hi Again

Have you checked your site via http://zoolnet.co.uk/ it gives 404 error, May be you are working around with DNS .. LOL

fixed, but I dont typically setup domains on the server without the www. subdomain, (e.g. just the domain), as not many ppl type address's into their browsers without www., only personal preference I guess

Try TinyDNS from djbdns (http://cr.yp.to) -- there is no web interface that I'm aware of, but it's _extremely_ easy to edit and modify. I do mean easy. BIND is overly complex. Bind+ Webmin is simple to use as it's GUI, though. I just don't like Bind. :)

Also, for moving zones from one machine to another, look into AXFR. You'll basically give the netra's IP "access" to the 2k box's DNS records (I'm sure the setting it somewhere inside the 2k box's DNS settings). Then just have the netra pull the zones using axfr and you should be good.

Sounds messy, but it's not too bad. Requires a bit of reading, but you'll know more when you're done. Knowing is half the battle, right? :)

Btw, don't mess up the Netra in any way. The ones I had had no floppy and no cdrom. What a pain that was. Good little machines though (they're quite small!).

Originally posted by allera
Try TinyDNS from djbdns (http://cr.yp.to) -- there is no web interface that I'm aware of, but it's _extremely_ easy to edit and modify. I do mean easy. BIND is overly complex. Bind+ Webmin is simple to use as it's GUI, though. I just don't like Bind. :)

Also, for moving zones from one machine to another, look into AXFR. You'll basically give the netra's IP "access" to the 2k box's DNS records (I'm sure the setting it somewhere inside the 2k box's DNS settings). Then just have the netra pull the zones using axfr and you should be good.

Sounds messy, but it's not too bad. Requires a bit of reading, but you'll know more when you're done. Knowing is half the battle, right? :)

Btw, don't mess up the Netra in any way. The ones I had had no floppy and no cdrom. What a pain that was. Good little machines though (they're quite small!).

thanx, I will look into that app..... should alleviate a few hours ;)

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well, unfortunately the Netra I have bought has no hard drive, so I am going to have to reinstall Solaris, I have read all the sun docs on doing this, I have purchased Sun Solaris 8 for Intel, which will be my install server, and Sun Solaris Sparc edition for the Netra..... should go well, I will be getting the Netra tomorrow, I havent installed Solaris on the intel box yet though, so I need to get that sorted first....