If you host your own web sites you will already be aware of the need for both a Master DNS and a Secondary or Slave DNS.
The Domain Name Server is what stitches the internet together and without them our web experience would be very different. For your domain to work you need a minimum of two Name Servers, the first being referred to as the Master and the second as the Slave.
But why do I need two?
The simple answer is Redundancy. If your Master suffered a catastrophic meltdown and was unable answer requests the question can be re-asked and directed toward your secondary Name Server. It’s as simple as that! It is like having two cars in your garage. You’re late for work and discover your car has four flat tyres, a flat battery and someone has stolen all the doors. You have a second car as your backup.
Easy, I’ll build another Name Server! You’ve got a crappy old laptop laying around and throw a copy of Linux on it and install Bind 9. Configure it as your sloppy secondary, site back feeling terribly clever and proud of yourself. Problem solved and appropriate high fives all round!
Nope, you’ve forgotten a vital requirement for the Domain Name Server architecture and totally wasted an hour of your time – ya dummy.
Bugger – I need another network!
Your secondary server must reside on a different network. You cannot setup a Master on 192.168.0.10 and a Slave on 192.168.0.20. Your secondary must be on a distinctly different network, preferably in another country. You must find another DNS provider willing to serve as your slave. Fortunately this is relatively easy doesn’t need to cost you anything if you know where to look.
NS1 have performed well for me
There are many services out there providing free Secondary DNS and I tried a few of them before settling on NS1.
NS1 gives me everything I need for free, including Monitors so I can keep any eye on how things are performing. It was easy for me to sign up and anyone with less brain cells than Donald Trump can quickly be up and running in under 10 minutes.
Sign up, log in, add your zones, configure your Master with the appropriate ‘Notify’ for your zone and you are done.
It really is that simple and has worked flawlessly for me, and will for you too.
# Except for wozsites.com.au from /etc/named.conf
zone "wozsites.com.au" {
type master;
file "/var/named/wozsites.com.au.hosts";
also-notify { 192.135.223.10; };
};
Whenever changes are made to my domain the serial number is incremented and changes are transferred to the slave. Once you have configured your Master you should see records appearing at NS1. You are ready to rock & roll.
Don’t forget to restart your Name Server after making changes.
# sudo systemctl restart named.service
Update your Domain Registrar
Update your Domain Registrar with your new DNS server addresses, both your Master & Slaves. Your Registrar will have a control panel allowing you to enter Name Server details. The changes you make here should be effective almost right away, although you might have to wait a little while for changes to propagate.
If you need more functionality from NS1 you can purchase additional services & products. I encourage you too do so. They provide basic services for free, but can only do that if people purchase additional services. You can do everything you need done for free but like anything, if you want more you have to pay for it.
This isn’t a paid advertisement for NS1. I get nothing from them and am writing this off my own bat. I really do recommend them. I’ve been with them for 12 months and have never had an issue with them or the services they provide.
The bottom line is that NS1 have given me excellent service and I can’t recommend them highly enough. Sign up at NS1.