Advice for Multi Server with 1 Master DNS, 1 DirectSlave, 2+ Servers?

pkiff

pkiff

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I think I want to configure 4 servers and use Multi Server for DNS like this:
  • 1 Master DNS server (running Personal Plus DA license)
  • 1 DirectSlave for Secondary DNS (no license)
  • 2+ regular DA user servers (each with standard DA licenses)
I'm new to DirectAdmin, coming from a similar config where I used cPanel DNS only, and I want to doublecheck my undertstanding before I get too far into setting up this network.

The two DNS servers are just so I can have dedicated external nameservers with branded domains that don't rely on my DA servers (say ns1.brandednameservers.tld).

So, to get this to work, I will use Multi Server, and set "Zone transfer" and "Domain Check" at each DA server using my Master DNS IP. And I'll configure the "Master DNS subdomain owner check" on the Master DNS. But because I'm not planning to push zones from the Master DNS back again to each box, then I don't need to add each of the DA servers into the Multi Server Setup of the Master DNS box. Is that right?

Any guidance or corrections to my understanding here would be appreciated.

Phil.
 
pkiff said:
But because I'm not planning to push zones from the Master DNS back again to each box, then I don't need to add each of the DA servers into the Multi Server Setup of the Master DNS box. Is that right?
Click to expand...
That is right.

However I'm not sure about 1 thing, maybe somebody can clarify that or you have to ask DA sales.
pkiff said:
1 Master DNS server (running Personal Plus DA license)
Click to expand...
This is limited to 20 domains. I know that it's unlimited domains when only used as DNS server.
However, you do need the main nameserver domain (brandednameservers.tld) setup on this box in this case. So I'm wondering if then the 20 domain limit would come in effect again.

pkiff said:
And I'll configure the "Master DNS subdomain owner check" on the Master DNS.
Click to expand...
If the subdomain owner check is activated on any server, the customers might not be able to use custom domains like dhs.org, dyndns, no-ip and other dynamic domain names.
As long as you're aware of that it's oke.
Also be aware of the fact that this check is not done on the Directslave box, which could cause odd issues then.
If you want to enabel subdomain checks, best do it on the DA server, not the master DNS. This way it's prevented before send to the nameservers if I'm not mistaken.
 
Thanks, that's helpful in confirming I'm mostly headed in the right direction.
And I appreciate the caution about enabling the subdomain check.

Richard G said:
[....]This is limited to 20 domains. I know that it's unlimited domains when only used as DNS server.
However, you do need the main nameserver domain (brandednameservers.tld) setup on this box in this case. So I'm wondering if then the 20 domain limit would come in effect again.
Click to expand...
Like you, I also wondered about how best to handle the setting up the base nameserver domain itself, and whether the Personal Plus license would still cover that. The use as a DNS only server is not well documented.
 
A personal Plus licence is for 20 domains (if you hosted them). However, if you want to use the licence for DNS only, you can have up to the 20 domains that are hosted if you need them, and unlimited dns zones. So if you only wanted to host 1 domain on the master server for example, and wanted 297 DNS records, that is totally fine.

I would have NS1 (DA Personal Plus), NS2 (DS) and on each client server, setup multi server so each record change gets pushed to NS1 and NS2. Simply sending a record to NS1 from a server doesn't seem to force a sync to the NS2 slave for some reason. Setting up multiserver from client server to NS1 and NS2 ensures everything gets synced pretty much in real time.

I have a few tips on the install and setup here if you find it helps?

DrWizzle

Thread 'DirectSlave Full Installation Guide'

Evening all, I've seen a few threads about past week or so and DirectSlave has popped up a few times but some users aren't sure about it or how to use it. I use it, and with a script wrote by @ericosman [THANK YOU!! 🙏] on GitHub, it's been made a whole lot easier. I've added in SSL Certificate for secure transfers, and explained a bit further about other bits as the install progresses.

Requirements: Any web server 1 CPU+, 2GB ram recommended, Alma Linux [I'm using Alma Linux 9 for this tutorial, an x86 Server, 2vCPU and 4GB ram, 40GB SSD and use 3 of the same for my real world DNS...
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Last edited:
Or you can use 2 PowerDNS servers as slave & hosting servers as hidden master + 1 cronjob to run for stalled domains on PowerDNS servers.
 
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