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How to host a domain on your unix box with DSL or cable-modem?

  *A very brief memo by AmitChakradeo*

  Decide on which NameServer to use:

    * If you have a dynamic IP address, then look for free nameserver. e.g. http://granitecanyon.com/ or http://everydns.net/ or http://zoneedit.com/

    * If you have static IP address, and/or you want complete control of your nameserver records, you can run your own nameserver on the same machine! RunningYourOwnNameserver explains how to do this.

    * Configure the nameserver records (A records) which point to your static IP address or obtain a dynamic IP updater and configure it to change the A records whenever the IP address changes. everydns and zoneedit mentioned above each have their own perl/python script that you can customize and use. If you are using DHCP, call the script at the right spot from dhclient-script. If you are using pppoE, call the script from /etc/ppp/ppp.linkup. YMMV depending on distribution.

    * Register the domain with a domain registration company. As it is not worth spending your $$$ with those big companies like http://register.com/, go for domain name resellers e.g. http://godaddy.com/ or http://gandi.net/. Register the nameservers with the domain registry.

    * ConfigureApacheForVirtualHost.

    * Wait for the nameserver records to propagate all around the globe.

    * Start serving the web to your heart's content!

  How to accept email with dynamic IP address ?

    * Make the TTL for the mx record very small (e.g. 300) so that the cache expires very quickly.

    * Buy a backup MX service. This will add another MX record with lower priority to your domain. If the first mail server (your own server) fails, then the MTA of the sender tries the secondary mail server. This server accepts all the mail on behalf of your domain and keeps trying the primary MX server till it accepts the mail. There are a lot of companies which offer secondary (backup) MX. I use http://zoneedit.com which seems okay so far to me. They charge $10.95 per year for one domain (and all it's subdomains if you care!).