I really like the idea of using enom.com's 5 name servers instead of my host's 2 name servers, or my domain registrar's 2 name servers, but I'm not clear on how it would work.

The only info about it that I found at enom.com said that all you have to do is change your domain's name servers to enom's 5 servers. In fact, enom even invites people whose domain names are registered with OTHER registrars to use the enom servers as their name servers.

If I do that, how will enom's name servers know where my Web site is being hosted, where to send my email, etc.? That might sound like a stupid question, but it seems to me that, each time I have moved my domain to a different Web host, I've been REQUIRED to change my domain's name servers to my new Web host's name servers so that my domain's new DNS information can propogate to the rest of the world's DNS servers.

If that is true, then that would mean that you can only use enom's name servers AFTER you've already used your Web host's name servers to do the propogation.

So, does that mean that, if I'm using enom's 5 name servers and I move my domain to a different Web host, I need to change my name server to the new Web host's name servers, wait for the information to propogate, and then change the name servers back to enom's 5 name servers?

Or am I misunderstanding something really basic about how DNS works?

You are misunderstanding something. First...

In fact, enom even invites people whose domain names are registered with OTHER registrars to use the enom servers as their name servers.
Not exactly, this is a paid service. You can pay enom (or a reseller of enom) for the use of their DNS services.

If I do that, how will enom's name servers know where my Web site is being hosted, where to send my email, etc.? That might sound like a stupid question, but it seems to me that, each time I have moved my domain to a different Web host, I've been REQUIRED to change my domain's name servers to my new Web host's name servers so that my domain's new DNS information can propogate to the rest of the world's DNS servers.

If that is true, then that would mean that you can only use enom's name servers AFTER you've already used your Web host's name servers to do the propogation.

So, does that mean that, if I'm using enom's 5 name servers and I move my domain to a different Web host, I need to change my name server to the new Web host's name servers, wait for the information to propogate, and then change the name servers back to enom's 5 name servers?
Enom's nameservers will know where your web site is being hosted because you will fill out the DNS zone file fileds and point your domain to the server's IP or your site's dedicated IP. If you used enom's DNS services, then instead of changing nameserver info, you'd point your site to a differnt server IP and that would be changing hosts.

You wouldn't chage the nameservers to your new host's and then back to enom's 5 nameservers, that would be pointless. If you use enom's nameservers (DNS services) you control your domain from there, that's it.

From the sound of your post, it doesn't seem like you have a grasp on controlling your own DNS and setting up a zone file. Since this is the case, I'd stick to using your host's nameservers and letting them take care of the settings.

Meanwhile, you read up on it a bit (enom does have some info about this), and practice with a domain that isn't live and ask questions, try to read and understand what you need to do, etc.

When you enter an URL in your browser, it'll ask the nameservers associated with that domain: "Where is this page hosted?" The nameservers will search in their records and will answer, and your browser will fetch the page.

The point is: your hosting company can let you use their nameservers, and it will be easier for you because they'll take care of everything. Or, you can manage these records by yourself, and that's the service that eNom provides. The advantage of using eNom nameservers is reliability. 5 different nameservers in 5 different subnets are unlikely to fail at the same time.

If you decide to manage your own records, your hosting company will tell you what to do and (possibly) how to do it.

Thank you both for your responses. Chicken, you're correct that the part of the concept that I had been missing was the setting of the DNS zone file information, which has always been done by whatever hosting company I was with. I really like the idea of using enom's 5 servers, for exactly the reason that Werpon pointed out, and since I'm a new customer of namecheap.com (an enom reseller), maybe it will work out for me to do that.

Ok well... enom's interface is somewhat self explanatory, but once you've chosen their 5 nameservers, here's what you'd do for basic settings:

Under the heading DNS Settings (zone file):

Click configure

For 1) and 2) enter two A records one for '@ (none)' and the other will be for 'www'. Enter the IP address of the server or your site's dedicated IP (your host will be able to provide you with this information). This is setting up resolution of your domain:

http://domain.com and http://www.domain.com

You can't just put anything here as the settings you enter here have to match what was set up on the server for your domain.

Next: There is a small link under the table to set up mail. Click that. If you miss the small link, the main DNS menu has a link to email settings (MX).

I honestly don't know exactly how the user simplfied mail works, it is supposed to be an MXE easy way of setting up mail. If you want to try it, choose that one and click save changes Since I've only ever done it the other way, I'm not sure, but it seems to only want the IP of the server that is handling the mail.

You can try that and see what happens, or choose the option user for the regular way. You'll need to know (again from your host) what you should put as the mail server name and IP. Again, you can't just put anything here, as these things need to match what is set up on the server.

Below the table you just entered A records is the table for Mail Host Records Setup and this is where you'll enter the info your host gave you. For line 11) you should enter something like mail.domain.com.

In the table above (same one you entered A Records for the domain before), you now need to add this as an A Record:

For line 3) if the correct server is mail.domain.com you would enter mail in the left hostname column and leave it as A Record then enter the IP of the server (again, this info was given to you by your host).

That will get you going and get your domain resolving with and without the 'www' and get mail going to the proper place if you entered everything right. Yo need to wait about 48 hours for these changes to take place so if you screw it up, yes... another 48 hour wait until it is fixed. Not a quick process and you won't really be able to tell instantly if you've made an error.

Good luck...

Chicken,

Thanks so much for taking the time to write such a complete and detailed step-by-step process! I really appreciate it! I've printed them out so I'll have them when I need them.

It's been a little over 24 hours, and I'm still waiting for my old domain registrar to release my domain names to namecheap.com, so the transfer can occur.

Once that happens, I'll try setting the enom servers as my nameservers.

Thanks, again!:)