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Chapter 2 DNS Service 37
If you set up a private TCP/IP network, you can also provide DNS service. By setting up
TCP/IP and DNS on your local area network, your users will be able to easily access file,
web, mail, and other services on your network.
Hosting Several Internet Services With a Single IP Address
You must have one server supplying all your Internet services (like mail, web). They may
all be running on one computer with a single IP address. For example, you may want to
have the domain name www.example.com resolve to the same IP address as
ftp.example.com, or mail.example.com.
Setting up the DNS records for this service is easy. You’ll still need a full set of DNS
records, one for each name you want to resolve.
• Set up MX records for mail, so mail.example.com resolves to your server’s IP address.
• Set up A records for each service your server provides, so web.example.com resolves
to your server’s IP address.
• Do the same for each service you provide (ftp.apple.com, or fileshare.apple.com, or
whatever).
As your needs grow, you can add other computers to the network to take over these
services. Then all you have to do is update the DNS record, and your client’s settings
can remain the same.
Configuring BIND Using the Command Line
In order to set up and use DNS service on Mac OS X Server you may wish to configure
BIND with the command-line. Configuring BIND requires making changes to UNIX
configuration files in the Terminal application. To configure BIND, you must be
comfortable with typing UNIX commands and using a UNIX text editor. Only
manipulate these settings if you have a thorough understanding of DNS and BIND,
preferably as an experienced DNS administrator.
What Is BIND?
BIND stands for Berkeley Internet Name Domain. BIND runs on UNIX-based operating
systems and is distributed as open-source software. BIND is used on the majority of
name servers on the Internet today.
Important: If you think you might want to connect to the Internet in the future, you
should register with an Internet registry and use the IP addresses provided by the
registry when setting up your private network. Otherwise, when you do connect to
the Internet, you’ll need to reconfigure every computer on your network.
Warning: Incorrect BIND configurations can result in serious network problems.
LL2351.Book Page 37 Monday, September 8, 2003 2:47 PM