Question about Name Servers.

[Sam_Brown]

Am I right in thinking that you have to assign a Name Server to your domain name and then that Name Server can be used to update your DNS for all your A Records \ MX Records etc?

 

I only ask because I have recently moved by domain names to another host and updated the DNS settings on the new DNS control panel but they aren't taking affect because apparently I'm still using the Name Server from my previous hosting and thus the DNS settings on that are the ones being applied.

 

Does that sound right? I always assumed DNS was just handled by whoever held your domain name. I didn't realise you had to go through an additional step to select which name server would be the one to be in charge of your DNS settings.

[matt40k]

Yes. You register the domain, then you set the nameservers - which tells the world where to look for your domain dns servers.

 

Domain services and DNS settings are separate, it's generally a good idea to keep them separate. If you don't renew your domain, the register (Nominet for .UK) lock nameserver changes - you'll find some crooked companies will then use this lock to point your site at their holding service whilst they assess if it's worth them paying the renewal.

 

Also domain registration is more a paper exercise, you don't need to host anything. DNS on the other hand is critical. You can sometimes get some good deals if you separate them out.

[Edu-IT]

Rackspace offer free DNS management.

[Sam_Brown]

Rackspace offer free DNS management.

 

Good to know. I've just moved over to namesco but if they are rubbish I know an alternative now