Re: [cobalt-developers] DNS Wildcard

[Jeff Lasman <jblists@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>]

Tony Kenny wrote:

> Is the RAQ3 DNS capable of doing DNS wildcards so that I can use subdomains
> instantly without having to wait for propagation.

The RaQ3 uses the "bind" name-server; the file is called "named" and
pronounced "name-dee".  It is perfectly capable of using wildcards.

Wildcards do not affect propogation in any way.  For example: your local
nameserver has received the zone-file for my domain, nobaloney.net
because you've looked up my site, <www.nobaloney.net> with your browser.

You call me and ask me to create a page for you at
<www.tony.nobaloney.net>.  For some reason (hey, I take leave of my
senses occasionally <smile>) I agree and set it up.  Immediately after I
set it up (as part of my setup procedure) I create an entry in my zone
file for <nobaloney.net> on my master DNS server.  You ftp up a hundred
MP3 files (I must have really taken leave of my senses <smile, again>),
using the IP# for my server's main domain, which I give you.  You want
to see if your new "Free MP3 Music" site is now available on the
Internet. You use your browser to look up <www.tony.nobaloney.net>. 
Your local DNS server has never heard of <www.tony.nobaloney.net>.  It
loads the zone again, finds the IP#, and you get the site.

I've tested this over and over again.  If DNS is done properly, there is
NO propagation time for new subdomains.  The caveat is that you have to
remember to make the entry before any given person looks for the
subdomain.  Otherwise that person's DNS will cache the "not found"
result for whatever time is set up in the <nobaloney.net> zone file.

So, yes, you have to create the record.  But there's no propogation
time.

> I have seen this work on other systems but do not know how to do it.

Buy the book <smile>, as I continually say on the "cobalt-users" group,
and as Gerald has already said.

> Is it
> as simple as putting a * instead of the subdomain? :)

Well, using them is that simple.  Read the pages Gerald points you to;
they're full of good reasons not to use them.

And note that the book only documents their use in MX records.

Even experienced people like me sometimes get caught up in one of the
"gotchas".  There's a good example on page 378 of "DNS and Bind"
pointing out how to make sure you never get your mail <frown>.

Jeff
-- 
Jeff Lasman <jblists@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
nobaloney.net
P. O. Box 52672
Riverside, CA  92517
voice: (909) 787-8589  *  fax: (909) 782-0205