[cobalt-users] Primary, secondary, auto-update, still confused

[Patrick <rockdog@xxxxxxxxxxx>]

Hi All - 
I've read multi-postings on this issue of Primary and secondary and I'm
still confused.

Here is my dilemma: I registered a nameserver. I want to run it as my
"Primary," i.e., I would like to run dns on my server. I have a site
registered with a FQDN on the IP I was issued and I am running a PTR record
for the single IP number. My ISP is running secondary DNS. The domain
resolves with Primary authority residing with me, and secondary nameserver
services resolving to my ISP. This seems correct (though the primary
upstream PTR record was not resolving to my hostname... it now is...) 

The issue is - if I add a sub-domain, i.e., another virtual site (with it's
own domain name) under the same IP - do I need to inform my ISP of the
change to my DNS records, or will the secondary automatically update itself
to reflect the new sub-domain? If I have to inform them - then I have to
inform them every time I add a sub-domain (and pay, and hassle accordingly?)

In writing this I can imagine the reply I am going to receive: (:I have cut
and pasted cross posts on this issue - which is correct? :)

This from Jeff:
>Find out from whoever gives you your connectivity whether or not
>they've delegated "reverse" DNS to you; if they have, set up ONE reverse
>DNS record for each IP# you've got, not one for each domain you're
>hosting.

Surely if I'm not running (a) PTR record I'm not doing Primary? And if I am
- then I am Primary i.e., I do reverse mapping on my hosted domain names(s)
- i.e., the upstream servers may or may not be running DNS records
reflecting my DNS? The fact that my FQDN is listed as primary nameserver on
the top level country DNS means it finally resolves to me (through other
upstream primaries, whether or not their DNS, PTR reflect mine?)

Surely my ISP's secondary is part of this upstream process - If I am not
running (a) PTR record then surely no names will resolve for a requested IP
- unless I have informed my ISP of all changes - in which case why am I
running 'Primary' dns? Suppose I would still be creating A records and MX
records for each site even if I wasn't running a nameserver? My ISP would
run the PTR record for my primary domain - and everything else would
resolve through A records on my machine? Or what?

Perhaps all of the above has nothing to do with whether the secondary
updates or not? i.e., it has to do with the way zone transfers are setup?
i.e., masters verse slaves? Is there something I need to do on my machine?
(I really don't want to be in a postition where I have to inform my ISP
every time I create a sub-domain... if this is the case i would rather have
somebody else do secondary... )

>Since you're setting up DNS for creativeon on your RaQ (I looked at
>your whois record <smile>), you'll need to set up A records for ns1 and
>for ns2 as well as for www and for just plain creativeon.com.

>Do NOT set up "secondary" records.  You only need them if your doing
>secondary DNS for others, where the primary is hosted elsewhere.

I don't have an A record for my ISP's secondary - should I? (though I do
have the secondary reflected in the SOA records)?

>On the secondary, go into the DNS from the Control Panel, and select Add
>secondary name service for domain.
>Enter in the domain-name that you want to use, and then the IP address
>of your primary server.
>Save settings and exit.
>Give the servers a chance to update then do a query to your secondary
>machine, it should now have the same records as your primary. It will do
>named-xfers automatically, so that should be all you need to do.

Surely this is what I want to be happening? Once the primary hostname has
been setup on the secondary - it will do named (i.e., new virtual sites?)
-xfers automatically? - in which case I shouldn't have to notify my ISP to
update the secondary?

>Yep, you are correct, you have to go into dns on the slave (secondary) tell it
>to serve as secondary for the domain.  (each domain)
>Then edit the SOA for the master (primary) adding the slave (secondary)

Each primary domain (with its own ip number) - or each 'virtual domain'?

>When DNS is properly setup, the secondary zone files will be updated when the
>primary zone files change.
>
>Or you can setup both units as masters (primary)
>then use rsync to sync the files from one to the other.

Okay - so I am confused - if I change primary zone files (i.e., add a
sub-domain?) - the secondary zone files will update? An added twist to all
this is that the new sub-domain I am trying to create presently resides
elsewhere (though it doesn't resolve.) - so I am wary of submitting the
domain change to the nameserver authorities without seeing the secondary
update... and it still reflects the legacy dns... so will give an error...
Mmmm.

Any clue would be appreciated.

Cheers Patrick.
PS. Thanks guys for all the previous help and sympathy... seems no sleep
and tearing of hair is a regular occurance on this list.