Path: utzoo!utgpu!news-server.csri.toronto.edu!cs.utexas.edu!wuarchive!zaphod.mps.ohio-state.edu!sdd.hp.com!decwrl!ucbvax!VENERA.ISI.EDU!pvm
From: pvm@VENERA.ISI.EDU (Paul Mockapetris)
Newsgroups: comp.protocols.tcp-ip.domains
Subject: Re: What's wrong with this named.db?
Message-ID: <9010021559.AA12206@venera.isi.edu>
Date: 2 Oct 90 15:58:57 GMT
References: <5A0A0209241B0210-MTABWIDENER*Joshua.R.Poulson@cyber.widener.edu>
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Reply-To: pvm@venera.isi.edu
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Lines: 47

> I'm getting really confused about the format of the database file for my
> nameserver database.  What is it that I'm doing wrong?  I've read through
> piles of RFC's and then consulted the manuals for my machine (absolutely
> no help at all...).
> 
> Here's my file
> 
> -----cut here-----
> $ORIGIN Widener.EDU
> @          IN    SOA     aixps2.Widener.EDU. (
>                          20     ; Serial
>                          3600   ; Refresh
>                          600    ; Retry
>                          3600000; Expire
>                          60)    ; Minimum
>                  NS      aixps2.Widener.EDU.
> aixps2           MX      aixps2.Widener.EDU.
>                  A       192.55.239.55
> cyber            MX      cyber.Widener.EDU.
>                  A       192.55.239.13
> -----cut here-----
> 

1. MX needs a preference.  Perhaps:

aixps2           MX      100 aixps2.Widener.EDU.

The 100 is just a value, with lower values being better.  Lots of
folks use 0 for looping back to the same machine, but I recommend a
larger value so that you can slip something in below should you get
the urge.

2. Redundant Servers

You should have more than one name server to represent your domain.
It can be anywhere in the Internet, and should be as independent as
possible from aixps2.Widener.EDU, so that a single Ethernet or power
failure or network connectivity problem or meteor can't take out both.

3. Increase your minimum

Your minimum is 60 seconds or one minute.  It should probably be at
least two days.  This is the only problem that isn't well described in
the RFCs.  If you don't want to do this, send me private Email and
I'll try to convince you.

paul