Dedicated DNS Nameserver templates?

[bollocks]

I'm struggling with the following problem:

 

A hosting package X can be setup on different servers (WHMCS decides with servergroups which one)

Depending on the server the package is deployed on, the IP differs ofcourse.

 

This works fine if you use your hostingservers as primairy and secondary dns since you can enter nameservers for each server in the servergroup. The IP will then be defined by the template in the hostingserver.

But running both nameservers on a single hostingserver where also the account itself is hosted is less then ideal as we all know.

 

Luckily Cpanel has a version of their panel 'DNS-Only' that you can deploy as two dedicated external nameservers.

So no matter where the package is deployed the nameservers are the same.

But the IP's for the domains are not since you use multiple servers, so a default template on you nameservers for the records won't work.

 

To be able to run a large scale hostingoperation with professional DNS servers (eg. dedicated and external) it would be neccesary to be able to define what template it should use so you get the right IP's with the right servers.

 

Or am I missing something and DOES WHMCS send different IP's to the nameservers in a way I haven't found?

 

Please discuss how to run a solid DNS operation for hostingproviders using multiple hostingservers!

[openmind]

There is no need to create a name server template as cPanel will assign the IP for you. We use a four server cPanel DNS only cluster and allow whmcs to set the domain up0 on the least used box.

[bollocks]

Thanks Openmind.

 

So let me get this straight as this is bugging me for a long time.

 

You create a default template in DNS-only master with empty (?) IP and WHMCS automaticly fills it with the the correct IP belong to the server it deployed the package on?

 

How does WHMCS connect (login) to the master Nameserver? I see no fields in WHMCS for it?

You also need to define the template with the correct records WHMCS should use?

 

 

 

I posted a reply many hours ago but nothing shows?

 

So Whmcs sends the corresponding IP to the Dns servers, or do you use the hostingserver as master?

You define the default records template in the Dns-only server?

You just setup the dns servers among the hostingservers in WHMCS?

I'm must be missing something obvious here

 

Edit: I see the mods joined my two posts together, thats why the same thing is asked twice.

Thanks for your patience openmind.

Edited June 12, 2013 by bollocks
Double post

[openmind]

WHMCS doesn't send the IP address nor do you need to use DNS templates. The templates is already set for you on the server you area creating the account on.

 

WHMCS will run the create account function on your cPanel server, the DNS records are then created and distributed amongst you name servers, in a cluster if that's how you are setup.

 

As long as your domains are pointing at your name servers then cPanel will take it from there and send the request to the appropriate server.

[bollocks]

Thats clear, so you don't use the nameservers as stand alone but still use the hostingserver as master to the DNS-only servers.

 

Now what happens if you migrate sites from one server to another?

You have two masters giving different IP's to the slaves...?

 

Just trying to figure it out the most solid solution, thanks!

[openmind]

When you use the cPanel migration tool it will update the name server records to reflect the change in IP address.

[bollocks]

I get the feeling that this construction works a little more intelligent then I thought

One more question, if the answer is what I think I got it figured out...

 

You do NOT use the hostingserver as master?

 

The coin dropped after looking at the picture at the bottem of this page:

http://cpanel.net/cpanel-whm/the-cpanel-service-distribution/dns-only/

 

I come from hosting on Plesk with Powerdns used as nameservers where we manually enter the records.

I'm probably thinking to rigid.

[openmind]

No there is no master server controlling the cluster. Each server can edit, add and delete DNS records on the cluster.

[And then there was one les]

i have the webservers write to the dns servers, never writing back, the dns servers can write amongst each other.

 

Note also that the dns templates for cpanel (unless there has been a recent change) are by default set to hold the records for a long time. This is great for your own DNS but if a client moves from say shared over to a server or vice versa, likely their ip will change and their website would be unavailable until the dns cache expires their record.

 

You should update the DNS templates, there are posts about it on the cPanel forum that will help you decide the best settings.

[bollocks]

Thanks guys, I've set it up and its running

[And then there was one les]

here is a useful link for you http://www.intodns.com

 

Check your domain and each of your nameservers regularly, Fix any issues it comes back with and you will have healthy dns

[bollocks]

Thanks, luckily the SIDN (dutch registry) has a simular tool.

 

So I've got this figured out, the nameservers turn out to synchronize with eachother without a single master. The latest mutation gets synced among the servers. I'm used to a master/slave configuration so that was the problem.

 

Now my next challenge arrives

A customer registers a domain, my default nameservers are attached wich are the nameservers of my registry.

In those nameservers the customers can edit/add records from the WHMCS clientarea (I see modules who offer this but its already there in my WHMCS, a recent upate?).

After a month orso the client decides that he wants hosting for the domain.

He orders a upgrade through WHMCS and the package is setup on a server.

Now the nameservers (so the actual nameservers, not the records) needs to be changed from those of my registry to those used by my hostingservers.

WHMCS does not do this automaticly.

 

Is there a clever way that WHMCS changes the nameservers automaticly?

 

I paid someone a few months ago to write a mod to do this but he did not deliver. Did take my money though.

 

I must be overlooking something again because I can't find anyone with the same question while lots of people must run into this dilemma?

[And then there was one les]

I think the changing of name servers in whmcs is registrar module dependant. IE if their API supports it then there is a good chance so does the whmcs module for said registrar. I don't believe this is a core function of whmcs in itself but an extended capability from the modules.

 

Now, Lets say your client has just ordered a domain name from me, they bought no hosting because they were hosting with you, at the time of purchase, the domain will be set to use your name servers. Today they decide they want to buy hosting for the domain name from me. There are one of two things going to happen, either, my system will send out a nameserver update, or im going to have to do it manually. This all depends on the module being used for the domain.

 

RE: paying for modules, i know digging into the coding is not everybody's bag but i would have to say, whom ever you choose its usually a good idea to meet them in person before handing over any payments. If that is not feasible, i would look at a payment method that protects you as the purchaser of intangible products for making the payment in future.