The Current State of Domain Registration

[Vin DSL]

I've been killing some time, the last couple of days, checking out the latest trends in web-hosting, domain registration, et cetera. I DO NOT want to step on JagPC's toes here, but it's getting to the point where web services have become so tightly integrated that domain name registration, web-hosting, and other assorted web services are now inseparable.

I continue to be very happy at Jaguar PC, but one feature I have always wanted is the capability to instantly redirect traffic for my DOMAIN to any URI that I want -- on the fly -- e.g. NOT having to wait for my domain name server changes to propagate around the world through myriads of zone files, and so forth. There is NOTHING wrong with the name servers at JagPC -- they're just 'Old Skool', IMHO. I'm been looking for something more state-of-the-art for years, and I think I finally found it...

If you're following what I'm saying, I think I have found the ultimate solution. This is NOT a recommendation to change or even consider changing web hosts, but rather a cheap addition to the already excellent web-hosting package[s] afforded to you at JagPC.

That said, this is what I'm considering: http://mapname.com/

On the lower left side of this page, you will see a $5.95/yr. service called "Instant DNS". I've been playing around with the DEMO, and it looks like exactly what I've been looking for, for years, but never found.

Here's a working DEMO: https://ssl.dewdesigns.com/domadmin/manage.cgi?login

Personally, I think this ends my quest! Does anyone see a downside to this?

By 'this' I mean, being able to instantly redirect traffic from my web site, here at JagPC, to the Slackware box sitting at my feet, and back again, at the click of a button. I think 'this' would be extremely handy when, for instance, a Cat5 hurricane is bearing down on Houston -- a server upgrade turns sour for a few hours -- et cetera. The scenarios/solutions are endless, in my mind...

So, I wanted to 'pick your brains' for once, my fellow Jaguarians, if you're so inclined. Do you think this would be a good idea -- being able to instantly change your DNS, so to speak, without having to jump through hoops and waiting days for the changes to propagate.

Your turn...

[the_ancient]

what is soo differant about these guys vs other DNS service providers??

In the Past I have used ZoneEdit and EasyDNS. Both do what your talking about.

I am just wondering if I am missing something??


Also Many Domain Name companies are offering DNS Managment as an addon, I myself do that for $2/yr in addtion to the Price of the Domain. Then there are Forwarding and Mail Forwarding addons each costing $1/yr

[CoolODaddyO]

MyDomain.com has been offering FREE dns service for years. They have a simplified version which forwards domains and email (catch-all and specific), stealth or unstealth, frontpage only or subfolders, and even includes * wildcard subdomain setup.

A more detailed version allows greater control, much like what you get in cPanel, if you want to set MX records and such. I think the only record you can't add is a txt record, only necessary if you wanted to add an spf record I suppose, which most folks don't. Plus they have 4 nameservers.

The interface these days requires going through the shopping cart to add your domain, but it doesn't charge you anything. It just shows $0.00 when you check out. I think it'll do what you're looking for.

And FREE is GOOD!

Doyle

[Vin DSL]

what is soo differant about these guys vs other DNS service providers??

In the Past I have used ZoneEdit and EasyDNS. Both do what your talking about.

I am just wondering if I am missing something??

Since you've used ZonEdit and EasyDNS, why don't you tell me?

[the_ancient]

Since you've used ZonEdit and EasyDNS, why don't you tell me?

You stated you have been "searching for years" for the services this company offers. I merely asked what makes this company differant then the others that have been offering those services "for years"

I really want to know if they are offering something differant or better than the competitors. I assumed since your posting about them I assumed you would know.

I guess I am mistaken

[Vin DSL]

You stated you have been "searching for years" for the services this company offers. I merely asked what makes this company differant then the others that have been offering those services "for years"...

Yeah, and whatta I get?

One guy says all DNS services are the same (probably thinks all mass web hosting plans are the same too) and another guy that said he gets it for free, so why pay?

I knew I was going out on a limb here. If you don't have anything to add, how about taking your biting sarcasm and applying it to another thread?

I'm looking for some feedback from anyone that has used a state-of-the-art DNS service, not something from the last century, or some bone-head incentive your cut-rate registrar threw you for *free*...

[Gwaihir]

So, I wanted to 'pick your brains' for once, my fellow Jaguarians, if you're so inclined. Do you think this would be a good idea -- being able to instantly change your DNS, so to speak, without having to jump through hoops and waiting days for the changes to propagate.

Usually this type of thing is used to handle the fall over when you've got a hot spare server on-line all the time. The type of thing you're speaking of is something Jag could perhaps offer too - and that would come in handy at times. Basically what these guys do is set the time to live (TTL) of the DNS info very short - at or close to the two minute minimum. Decent (all?) DNS caches, including your of pc's respect this and thus keep coming back for new DNS info very often, thereby picking up any changes quickly.

The upside: fast response to changes, for example to pick up on a change of IP or replacing a server that is out temporarily with another one already live on the net.

The downside:
- It creates a LOT more DNS traffic. I do think a number of clients will notice a slowdown as during a visit to your site their client goes back to get new DNS info for your site every two minutes.
- If those nameservers are down, THAT will propagate rapidly too, where otherwise many clients would simply continue their visit on cached info.

Now, if you could set the TTL for your Jag-DNS info yourself, you could simple set it to a short time ONLY when you know you are (or might be) about to move server. That hurricane for example came with days of warning, well enough to shorten DNS TTL and make that propagate.

[CoolODaddyO]

Yeah, and whatta I get?

One guy says all DNS services are the same (probably thinks all mass web hosting plans are the same too) and another guy that said he gets it for free, so why pay?

I knew I was going out on a limb here. If you don't have anything to add, how about taking your biting sarcasm and applying it to another thread?

I'm looking for some feedback from anyone that has used a state-of-the-art DNS service, not something from the last century, or some bone-head incentive your cut-rate registrar threw you for *free*...

"It's better to be silent and thought a fool
than to open one's mouth and remove all doubt."

"Biting sarcasm?" Sounds like the pot calling the kettle black to me.

Jeez, bubba, did your mama not teach you any manners? I was just trying to help with my "bonehead incentive" . . . politely. I won't make that mistake again since you seem to be a little too "uptown" for me.

[Vin DSL]

Jeez, bubba, did your mama not teach you any manners? I was just trying to help with my "bonehead incentive" . . . politely. I won't make that mistake again since you seem to be a little too "uptown" for me.

Bah! Don't be so thin-skinned! I'm just yanking your chain. 'the_ancient' and I trade barbs all the time. Welcome to the club...

I hardly consider $5.95/yr. to be state-of-the-art, but it does seem like a good, practical solution. I'm just wondering if there is any downside to this DNS tinkering. Maybe the 'cure' is worse than the 'cold', you know?