I am bringing up a new Ensim Control Panel and I am a bit confused how to set of the DNS correctly.

I currently have private name servers at the soon to be "ex" hosting company, using NS.MYNAMESERVER.COM and NS2.MYNAMESERVER.COM

Question 1 is on the best approach to migrate my customer domains so as to minimize down time for them:
Should I set up a NS3.MYNAMESERVER.COM and NS4.MYNAMESERVER.COM (somehow) get Ensim configured for these, create 2 new host records at Network Solutions and then move each of my clients domains one at a time you changing their name servers?
-OR-
do the big bang approach - copy over all the data for each domain, then change out the IP numbers for the NS... and NS2... nameservers all at the same time?

Question 2: is how to set up Ensim.
My primary DNS should be the same as my server IP
My secondary DNS is the next availbale IP
In ENSIM, the "BIND Domain Name Server Manager" - "Configuration: Name Servers " has:

Name Server Type Server Name
Primary Master freedom.freedomnetworking.com
Secondary Server None
Virtual DNS None

What do I put in for the Secondary Sever Name and Virtual DNS Server Names?

With this done, what do I need to do next and don't I need to do something with Network Solutions?

:confused:

The best way to migrate is to setup the DNS on the new appliance and then move all the sites over. Once everything is moved switch the IP's for your nameservers. Make sure to have both set of servers running during the time it takes DNS to propigate.

It is important to make sure that your /etc/resolv.conf lists the IP(s) of your appliance for you to change the mastername server.

You use the IP of your appliance for the primary. So if that IP is 1.1.1.2 you register with your Domain Registrar
ns1.yourdomain.com with IP 1.1.1.2
For the secondary you need another IP. Lets assume your provider give you 1.1.1.3 for your second IP.


To configure DNS on the appliance you go to the DNS/Bind configuration.
Add a zone for yourdomain.com if it is not there.
Add the following A records.
ns1.yourdomain.com 1.1.1.2
ns2.yourdomain.com 1.1.1.3

Go to configure at the top.

Change the master nameserver name to ns1.yourdomain.com

Add a virtual secondary with the nameserver name of ns2.yourdomain.com and IP 1.1.1.3

Ask your host to change the nameserver IPS in the ServerXchange to (if you have a private server)
1.1.1.2
1.1.1.3

Move your sites and then switch the nameservers with your Domain registrar to the new nameservers and that's it..

If all else fails ask your host to do this for you (the DNS setup). I usually do this for free for my customers as it took me longer to write this message then it takes to setup.

Remarkable:
I can't thank you enough!!! I have spend 9+ hours wading through outdated FAQ's and getting conflicting email's from "tech support". I can't repay you for the time it took to type in a response, but I do owe you a beer... :beer:

Originally posted by remarkable
So if that IP is 1.1.1.2 you register with your Domain Registrar
ns1.yourdomain.com with IP 1.1.1.2
For the secondary you need another IP. Lets assume your provider give you 1.1.1.3 for your second IP.



Remarkable, can I bug you for a follow-up? I already have a ns1.yourdomain.com and ns2.yourdomainname.com registered. They are the private name servers from the existing (old) hosting company. Is it possible to register a second ns1.yourdomain.com and a second ns2.yourdomain.com with the domain registrar? Or do I need to do a ns3.yourdomain.com and ns4.yourdomain.com for the new Ensim name servers and leave ns1.yourdomain.com and ns2.yourdomain.com as the old hosting company name servers? If I do the ns3/ns4 route, am I stuck using them and can never use ns1/ns2 again?

I think I feel my Tab growing....

You don't have to register or reregistere anything. Just skip that part and make sure your /etc/resolv.conf has your IPs and add the A records.

Where are you hosted?

OLM has the Ensim panel I'm trying to configure.

Thanks Again!