Domains and IPs

[FingAZ]

I currently own a .co.uk domain name; the website for which is hosted
on a windows 2003 server machine, running apache2.

The problem i have is that when i type in the domain name (eg.
example.com) it gets redirected to my IP (eg 80.90.10.20).
What i would like to know is how would i go about setting it up so that
instead of simply redirecting to 80.90.10.20, how can i get it to
recognise my site as www.example.com.

An example of what i mean is;
currently, i type www.example.com and it simply goes to 80.90.10.20,
with an address bar coverup.
Whereas what i want is something like google; where you type in
www.google.com and google.com is exactly what you get. The main reason
for this is i have set up various education based facilities on my home
web server for a few of my students to allow their websites to go live,
without having to pay for an external webserver (free web servers don't
feature php for free usually, and most free ones are filtered for the
students.)
And whilst my domain example.com is unfiltered for them, IP addresses
are, for obvious security reasons.

Any answers or links to more information would be greatfully recieved!
TIA,

Darren.

Also, if necessary, i can happily run IIS instead, if it makes it any
easier on explaining it; and i currently run a hardware firewall- so if
i require the use of any nameserver programs etc, please supply the
port numbers if applicable.

 

[Kevin D. Goodknecht Sr. [MVP]]

I currently own a .co.uk domain name; the website for which is hosted
on a windows 2003 server machine, running apache2.

The problem i have is that when i type in the domain name (eg.
example.com) it gets redirected to my IP (eg 80.90.10.20).
What i would like to know is how would i go about setting it up so
that instead of simply redirecting to 80.90.10.20, how can i get it to
recognise my site as www.example.com.

From what you are saying, instead of getting the site http://www.example.com
you get redirected to http://80.90.10.20 ?

What you need is a record in the public example.com zone named www that
gives 80.90.10.20 (your IP address) as its IP address.
Then on you server you need a web site at this IP address. If you have only
one IP address, and you are using a Windows Server version of IIS, this site
should have a host header for each name applied to that particular site,
e.g. www.example.com and example.com.

Also, if necessary, i can happily run IIS instead, if it makes it any
easier on explaining it; and i currently run a hardware firewall- so
if i require the use of any nameserver programs etc, please supply the
port numbers if applicable.

If the site is accessed locally, you'll need an internal DNS server to
return the local IP of any locally hosted site. In the absense of an
internal DNS server you will have to add the site names and IP address to
all local clients' HOSTS file.

 

[FingAZ]

Firstly, sorry about my neivity lol;

From what you are saying, instead of getting the site http://www.example.com
you get redirected to http://80.90.10.20 ?

Yes exactly that; the domain that i have paid for is simply a
forwarding service.

What you need is a record in the public example.com zone named www that
gives 80.90.10.20 (your IP address) as its IP address.

How would i go about creating this record? Im guessing its a file that
i put in the root directory of the website from what you are saying?
Tbh, i dont quite understand what you mean by "public example.com zone"

Then on you server you need a web site at this IP address.

As in a website that can be accessed by typing in the IP address in
internet explorer (which is already there)? Or a website under the name
example.com?

If you have only one IP address

I do;

and you are using a Windows Server version of IIS

which i can do

your site should have a host header for each name applied to that particular site,
e.g. www.example.com and example.com.

What is a host header? But i understand what your saying about applied
sites; eg google would have www.google.com and google.com

If the site is accessed locally, you'll need an internal DNS server to
return the local IP of any locally hosted site. In the absense of an
internal DNS server you will have to add the site names and IP address to
all local clients' HOSTS file.

Im not bothered about it being resolved to an IP based website locally,
as filters arent a problem at home.

<snip>

FingAZ

 

[Kevin D. Goodknecht Sr. [MVP]]

Firstly, sorry about my neivity lol;


Yes exactly that; the domain that i have paid for is simply a
forwarding service.


How would i go about creating this record? Im guessing its a file that
i put in the root directory of the website from what you are saying?
Tbh, i dont quite understand what you mean by "public example.com
zone"

This would have to be done at the DNS server listed on the public record for
this domain. This is likely the DNS servers with your registrar where you
registered the domain name example.com.

Most registrars have a Web interface for adding records to the public zone
in their DNS servers. If you are unsure, contact your registrar of record,
tell them you what www.example.com to resolve to your IP address instead of
being redirected.
This assumes your public IP is static and won't change.

 

[FingAZ]

This would have to be done at the DNS server listed on the public record for
this domain. This is likely the DNS servers with your registrar where you
registered the domain name example.com.

Most registrars have a Web interface for adding records to the public zone
in their DNS servers. If you are unsure, contact your registrar of record,
tell them you what www.example.com to resolve to your IP address instead of
being redirected.
This assumes your public IP is static and won't change.

Top stuff! I see exactly what you mean now
If i cant change it, or get them to change it then ill switch
registrars

Thanks for your help!
Ill post more if i cant get it working

Darren.

 

[FingAZ]

This would have to be done at the DNS server listed on the public record for

this domain. This is likely the DNS servers with your registrar where you
registered the domain name example.com.

Most registrars have a Web interface for adding records to the public zone
in their DNS servers. If you are unsure, contact your registrar of record,
tell them you what www.example.com to resolve to your IP address instead of
being redirected.
This assumes your public IP is static and won't change.

OK thats all sorted! Works perfect thanks!
There is one more thing though;
My site is only accessible through www.example.com, and not
example.com;
the www. has to be present- is there any way of altering this?

Darren.

 

[Kevin D. Goodknecht Sr. [MVP]]

OK thats all sorted! Works perfect thanks!
There is one more thing though;
My site is only accessible through www.example.com, and not
example.com;
the www. has to be present- is there any way of altering this?

Darren.

You need to add a record without a host name to achieve this, then give it
the correct IP address.

 

[FingAZ]

You need to add a record without a host name to achieve this, then give it
the correct IP address.

I just asked my domain holders about it and they sorted it for me, as
im limited in how many changes i can make; i can only have 2 settings,
for which i had set up www. and ftp. as they are the most important.

Thanks again for your help, greatly appreciate it!

Darren.

 

[Kevin D. Goodknecht Sr. [MVP]]

I just asked my domain holders about it and they sorted it for me, as
im limited in how many changes i can make; i can only have 2 settings,
for which i had set up www. and ftp. as they are the most important.

Do you mind my asking who holds your DNS?
I cannot believe they don't allow you to have an IP address for the domain
name. There must be some kind of mis-interpretation here, as this seems to
overrule common sense.

 

[FingAZ]

Do you mind my asking who holds your DNS?

I cannot believe they don't allow you to have an IP address for the domain
name. There must be some kind of mis-interpretation here, as this seems to
overrule common sense.

Tbh, i think it was more than likely to be a misunderstanding at my
end; regardless of this, my www. and non-www. links work, as well as
ftp.
And if i understand you correctly, they do allow people to have IP's
for the domain name, but its listed under advanced features, and you
get a message warning you about changing the stuff there- probably to
put people who are new to the web hosting game (such as me ) off of
changing fairly important information.

The host is www.lowcostnames.co.uk
Although the services maybe arent the best in the world, the customer
service are really nice and genuinely helpful

Darren.

 

[Kevin D. Goodknecht Sr. [MVP]]

Tbh, i think it was more than likely to be a misunderstanding at my
end; regardless of this, my www. and non-www. links work, as well as
ftp.
And if i understand you correctly, they do allow people to have IP's
for the domain name, but its listed under advanced features, and you
get a message warning you about changing the stuff there- probably to
put people who are new to the web hosting game (such as me ) off of
changing fairly important information.

I think the warning for the domain name may have something to do with if you
don't have an MX record. Mail servers will do this, if there is no MX
record, most will try to send it to the A record for your domain name.