Hi guys, sorry about my ignorance, but here I go. I have a confusion about what (FQDN) really is. I will like to be able to access my virtual servers/websites from the internet not only on my local network. Do I have to buy a domain name before I install Virtualmin or do I just make up a name? I know that I would have to eventually buy a domain. At the moment Im just using no-ip.org as my DSN Service. Example:
Do I just make a name like ns1.home.com, do I use the no-ip service or do I buy a domain?
I also read that, A common error is to leave the "." at the end off. Example: ns1.home.com. is correct ns1.home.com is incorrect (without the dot at the end) how true is this?
Thank you for your help in advance.
You would need a domainname pointing to your server.
Your servers name would have to be resolvable and to be a FQDN which has the form of something.mydomain.tld (I called mine: ns1.domain.tld)
So when you have bought the domain you will need to register the NS, I suggest buying from Namecheap as it's really easy to do nameserver registration.
You need to register ns1.domain.tld and ns2.domain.tld with IP
First of all, Thx ronald for ur imput.
Ok so here is what I did:
When I was installing virtualmin from the terminal, I choosed ns1.domain.tld as my FQDN and it all installed fine.
My Problem:
At "Post-Installation Wizard". When i got to the DNS zones:
Primary nameserver showed: ns1.domain.tld and nothing as the Secondary nameserver.
Then the error...
Primary nameserver cannot be resolved from the rest of the Internet : Host ns1.domain.tld not found: 3(NXDOMAIN)
what do I put in the Primary nameserver space?
Also I bought a domain name at 1and1 ($.99 1st year) a few months back (which 1 never used lol) here is some info about that:
domain.info - IP Address (A-Record) : 31.140.176.134
Name server 1: ns1.alo.com.ar
Name server 2: ns2.alo.com.ar
Name server 3: ns3.alo.com.ar
Name server 4: ns4.alo.com.ar
Mail server 1: mx1.alo.com.ar
If I decide to use this domain name, should I just change:
ns1.alojaria.com.ar to ns1.domain.tld
ns2.alojaria.com.ar to ns2.domain.tld
and IP Address (A-Record):
31.140.176.134 to my ISP IP Address?
Sorry about all the questions and thx for helping me out.
First you need to register your nameserver at that registrar.
This is very different than adjusting your NS records in the zonefile.
So check and see if its possible to register your nameserver at 1on1
That means you enter
ns1.yourdomain.tld xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (xxx=IP)
ns2.yourdomain.tld xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (xxx=IP)
and then wait for propagation so your server can become resolvable.
Thx roland
Ok so first register my nameserver at my registrar. before continuing installing Virtualmin? and that should get riff of the error:
Primary nameserver cannot be resolved from the rest of the Internet : Host ns1.domain.tld not found: 3(NXDOMAIN)
Ill go ahead and do that and then report back here.
I dont know If I should of mention this before, but Im doing all of this Virtualmin installation on a Home Server Im building. I also have a MS WHS that I have not use in a while but thats a different story lol.
See, I do have a hosting plan with a real domain (xtremehangout,com @ ixwebhosting,com) with the whole cPanel and all that, but I have never done this before on a localhost.
The very fist time I did the installation on my home server, I did manage to install Virtualmin using my xtremehangout,com domain name and it went through, but I dont want to use that domain for this local server Im building.
Maybe thats why I didnt get this error before, because I used a real domain name and not that made up ns1.domain.tld one.
Thx again Ronald
As long as you dont have your nameservers registered and thus nothing is pointing to your server, the error will stay
Ok beautiful, thx Ronald for clearing that out for me. I'll let u know how it goes. The point is that it has to resolve to a real domain or at least to the localhost right ? I got u lol
yes, a real domain pointing to your external IP.
Then from the router the port 80 and other services should be directed to your server or you make your server a DMZ in the router so that the server is directly visible to the WAN.
Geate thank you. Now once that's setup, do I have to add my external IP somewhere in the Virtualmin settings? Or not?
It should pick it up but just in case:
Virtualmin - System Settings - Virtualmin Configuration - Networking Settings:
Default virtual server IP address = your LAN IP
Default IP address for DNS records = your WAN IP
I should be home in the next hr, will give it a try.
Hi Ronald, with your help, I have manage to install Virtualmin using the new domain I bought (Have not register the NS or pointed my domainname to my server but that's next) Im still running test, and I guess I will have to create an email address too.
I did get this error: Default IP address is set to 192.168.x.xx, but the detected external address is actually xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx. This is typically the result of being behind a NAT firewall, and should be corrected on the module configuration page.
But got it fixed with your last post: Virtualmin - System Settings - Virtualmin Configuration - Networking Settings: Default virtual server IP address = your LAN IP Default IP address for DNS records = your WAN IP
A bit off topic and on another note... Now I have to create my first Virtual Server, If I remember correct from my first installation, no matter how many Virtual Servers I create, when I access the server from the net, I always get send to the first Virtaual Server, But i guess I'll have to create another topic for that, not to go off topic here.
Once again, Thx Ronald.
You can change which domain is default at any time. Apache just reads the coonfig and whatever is on top of the virtualhost section, it will serve that one as the default.
OK Thx, I thought I could use this as a real webhost lol
Oh well, so far, I have not been able to register my nameserver at 1&1, it wont work, I get an error:
The domain name is invalid. Please use ASCII only, other characters á, á, ã, ä are not supported.
I used this form: ns1.domain.tld xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx ns2.domain.tld xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx
If I use: 1&1 name server (which is theirs) then I can change the, IP Address (A-Record) to my external IP. DO you think Namecheap, would allow me to add my own nameserver? I just bought this domain yesterday, maybe I cancel with 1&1 and go with Namecheap.
When I do a DNS Check this is what I get:
Domain name : domain.com IP Address (A-Record) : xxx.xx.xxx.xx Name server 1: ns53.1&1.com Name server 2: ns54.1&1.com Mail server 1: mx01.1&1.com, 10 Mail server 2: mx00.1&1.com, 10
i use namecheap a lot and you can register nameservers in an easy way
Is there any advantages or disadvantages about using the nameserver, v/s the way I have it setup using the IP Address (A-Record) ? I will try to change it over to namecheap if i can.
BTW I have now two domains pointed to my server and they are working, There is lots of other settings i have to go thru like setting up the mail server, but Il get to that as soon as I can.
You can use the A and MX records of existing zone at the registrar with no problem.
The disadvantage is you will have to change all records and when you move a) server or b) IP for whatever reason in the future, you would have to change it for all domains.
Now it is controllable, but what if you host 20 domains or more? When you have the nameserver, you would just need to a) adjust the IP in virtualmin or b) change 2 IP's at the registrar and all is set.
From an administrative point of view, one would want to be in control of his nameserver. If you do not plan to host more than 1 or 2 domains, by all means, keep the records at the registrar.
Unless of course you want to learn more about hosting and administer Linux server
I see what your saying, and I am very hungry to learn as much as possible about hosting and administer Linux server. I gonna try to contact this 1&1 ppl today see if i can cancel with them and move the domain to namecheap, after all, all I paid for the domain was a $1.00 lol
Ill tell them I administer my own Linux Server and I want to be able to register my nameservers, see what they say
BTW do you have a blog or a forum i can join?
I use only this forum from virtualmin.
You could ask 1&1 if they can register the nameservers for you. Else get a cheap "whatever.info" domain at namecheap.
they offer also SSL certificate for $2
ok time for an update. So I called 1&1 and the don't do nameserver, so I canceled and bought www.boricuavps.com from namecheap. I wish, I would of read all this before I installed Virtualmin, I would of not make all of this mistakes.
In short, ns1.domain.tld can not be a nameserver because it does not exist. (its what i understand)
My first mistake was at Virtualmin installation. I choose a made up name, literary a made up name for the server... ns1.domain.tld exactly as that with the dumm ass .tld and all. No wonder why I cant register my nameserver at any place. SO here is Question number one:
1) Is it save to say that: ONE SHOULD OWN A REAL DOMAIN NAME BEFORE THE INSTALLATION OF VIRTUALMIN? or Im I even more confuse then when I started lol 2) is there a way to solved this (change the nameserver of my server to match the domain I just bought) without having to do a new installation?
Oh Well, at least now I have a REAL domain name @ namecheap. And If I have to start fresh Ihave no problem because all this testing is been done in a extra hard drive I had fore my laptop and I can always format the drive, re-install Unbuntu 10.04 and webmin then go from there.
1 Actually yes, certainly if the box is used for hosting. 2 Yes, you won't need a new installation.
Under Webmin, look for networking settings and change the hostname to say: ns1boricuavps.com
In your namecheap account, register the nameservers. Click on your domain and in the left menu is:
Advanced Options
Nameserver Registration
Update
So I went ahead and format the hd and install all fresh. Here is what I did. - Installed a fresh copy of Ubuntu 10.04 (named my computer boricuavps.com) dont know if it need it but I did anyway. - Installed all extras and updates - Installed sendmail (because virtualmin did not installed it the last time) - Installed Virtualmin, and it picked up my FQDN as boricuavps.com and it all went smooth. - I ran the Post-Installation Wizard, and used boricuavps.com as my Primary Nameserver it went fine (I think) - before I ruin anything, what is the corect way to regiter my nameserver? should I use ns1.boricuavps.com or juts ns1? or what? or should I just edit the A Record?
EDIT: Ups, sorry I most of been typing this message while u was answering back to me and I did not see ur response.
Im going to try doing the nameserver registration no, but If I do the nameserver registration the option for the A Record disappears, is that ok?
yes that is okay
registering a nameserver has little to do with the A record in the zonefile.
you should name your computer ns1.boricuavps.com not just boricuavps.com
are you sure you want sendmail? Imo postfix is much easier to handle
Can I still change the computer name to ns1.boricuavps.com? I know Linux but not a Linux user, I'm more windows OS. About sendmail, I really don't care, I thought I need it. I have no idea go to setup nether of them lol
Under Webmin - Networking - Network Configuration - Hostname and DNS Client is where you can change the hostname (computername)
Ok I did that. But when I type hostname -f on the terminal, I get a 'Hostname: name of servive is not known' message. Only if i type just hostname that I get ns1.boricuavps.com. Do I have to rename both the hostname and the host? - sudo gedit /etc/hostname - sudo gedit /etc/host
I know that you have help me a lot, but please, can you post the settings I'll have to edit to configure postfix? I did setup an email with my domain at namecheap. But have no idea how would I transfer or merge that to postfix. Thx for your help Ronald. If is easier to do it remotely I'm good with that I have teamviewer install on this machine.
I dont see the nameservers (ns1.boricuavps.com and ns2) yet at namecheap: http://www.intodns.com/boricuavps.com
this needs to propagate first.
Then you create a domain in virtualmin: boricuavps.com
At the moment your domain can not be found.
Once https://ns1.boricuavps.com:10000 is resolvable, then you can look at what needs to be done further
Do you actually have a static IP to your server? www.whatismyip.net
I think that's part my fault, I registered (ns1.boricuavps.com) and (ns2.boricuavps.com) but since I don't know what the hell I'm doing or if I was doing it right I deleted them (I forgot about the damm 24hr propagate wait time), yea yea I know, I'm an ass lol.
So then last night I came and re-registered my nameservers again, but I think I'm using namecheap's nameservers.
Should I switch to my nameservers, then wait for them to propagate? As of right now, ns1.boricuavps.com:10000 only works locally on my home network.
To use my nameservers I go to General -> Transfer DNS To Webhost?
BTW I checked my namecheap acc and it saids:
ns1.boricuavps.com xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx Created: 2012-06-14
ns2.boricuavps.com xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx Created: 2012-06-14
General -> Transfer DNS To Webhost?
Sounds good. It will need some time to propagate again and then you can use virtualmin/BIND to control the zonefile
Ok I just updated the DNS to use my nameservers and when I went to the namecheap email I had setup, I got this message:
This domain name is using third party DNS, please contact your DNS provider to add the following records:
mail.boricuavps.com IN CNAME 0 oxwebmail.registrar-servers.com.
boricuavps.com IN MX 10 oxmail.registrar-servers.com.
boricuavps.com IN TXT 0 v=spf1 include:ox.registrar-servers.com ip4:xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx ip4:xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx -all
So I'm on my way to see where the heck I put that in Virtualmin. if u read this post before I mess up anything don't be afraid to jump in lol and, as always point me in the right direction lol thx Ronald.
I'm glad, this is been a one on one... better then 1000 ppl asking 1000 questions.
BTW Ronald check out now in the link u gave me I can see my nameservers but I don't understand one bit off what tha means, there are blue, green and red dots there lol. Still can't access my ns1.boricuvps.com server using that link tho. Maybe by tomorrow, I'll try again, who knows.
Yes it is all working now. I can see a website and virtualmin panel.
Of course mail is not handled by namecheap now anymore but by your virtualmin installation.
So you can start adding users to your domain boricuavps.com and the will have email
If u were here u would probably slap the crap out of me. I'm just a pain in the ass when it comes to installing or configuring stuff. They have to be as close as perfect as possible. If I have the slide idea the is something not running as smooth as it should and without to many tweaks, I have to start fresh. I hated the fact that I was not getting my Ubuntu local host name right so it would resolved by it self without me tweaking it. So once AGAIN, I did a fresh Ubuntu installation... (this is a spare laptop drivei have) Oh yes I did. This time, I think I got it right, finally. It's really tricky to get this right, especially is ur a noob like myself. And even though Virtualmin does tells you and advise, One MOST Have a real/resolvable Domain name, we always do what we want thinking we can get away with it and fixed it later.
I finish work at 12am last night, home by 12:30am back at work by 10am this morning, but by the time I turn my back to look at my bed, it was day light 5:30am don't know how that happen tho, lol but I said to my self, I have to get this thing to work as smooth as it could be and without any mayor tweaks and I think I did it. but all thanks to ur help. I keep coming to the post and reading and reading and reading to make sure I didn't make any of my old mistakes. Once again I have to say thank you Ronald.
About the email stuff, I have no idea what's going on there. I was at work today and around 11:30am I look at my phone and I have this really crazy email, Mail delivery notification (Failure), from webmin@ns1.boricuavps.com. I have not done anything to the mail server or any settings of any mail kind. It could be that I forward my namecheap email to the server but I have not adjust the settings at the server. I migh post the error here later sou can see if u make anything out of it or I can email it to u if u want, it's a big file that's why.
Anyway I'm onthe train on my way home. I'll read u later.
So Linux is way, way different than Windows. There is almost never a need to reinstall the OS.
Everything lets itself to be configured the way you want it. This is hardly the case with windows OS.
If you think you made a mistake in configuring something, then don't worry, it is all a matter of adjusting the configuration in the files. This is just how easy Linux is.
I could have a look at your virtualmin installation regarding the mail stuff and BIND if you'd like.
Is your Laptop always on?
I have play around with some Linux Distros, but are not an expert on any of them, I do love the flexibility that Linux has but there are way to many commands and I have a bad memory lol. I remember in one of my experiments with Linux, I think it was with Zorin Linux, There was an option there similar to System Restore in Windows, I wish I could remember the name of that sw. I know that you can even make an installation cd/dvd of whats already install including all the sw you have add to the distro.
So far I think the installation has work, including the domain names and nameserver and all that, exempt fo the mail stuff. The onlty red mark I see in http://www.intodns.com/boricuavps.com is the, Missing nameservers reported by your nameservers, But I guest thats because Im not using any of those two ns2 and ns3 nameservers, I really dont know, the rest of the stuff look much better (at least no red marks).
Thanks to your help. I have made a step-by-step instructions on the process I use to install and configure the basics of the Virualmin, I may port it later, You can feel free to correct whats not right or a better way to do it.
Im in New York so Im in Easter Time (2am now) I some times leave it on, but I can leave it on if you tell me when would you be able to do that. Do you want to use teamviewer or should I make you a login info as a master admin?
BTW I dont know if your a father, but if you are, Happy Fathers Day, Here in NY fathers day is today Sunday.
You let me know when and how you want to do this. Thx
Part (1): Domain & NameServers Registration
- I boughty a domain name from namecheap. (You would need a domainname pointing to your server)
- Went to namecheap and clicked on My Account -> Manage Domains
- Selected my Domain name -> clicked on Nameserver Registration
- Selected 3 nameserver (but you only need at least two nameservers) from the drop list
- Typed my external IP Address on the right side fields
- Clicked on Add Nameservers
- To make sure your nameserver were registerd, Click on Find All Existing Nameservers, and you should see your nameservers on a list.
- From the left menu, clicked on Transfer DSN to Webhost
- Select 'Specify Custom DNS Servers' ( Your own DNS Servers )
- Enter at least two nameservers:
- ns1.yourdomain.tld xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (xxx=IP)
- ns2.yourdomain.tld xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (xxx=IP)
- ns3.yourdomain.tld xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx (xxx=IP)
- Wait for propagation so your server can become resolvable.
- Click on Save Changes, You should get: Domain name servers updated! Be aware, you left side menu lose some of the links.
Part (2): System Update and Server installation
Part (3): Post-Installation Wizard
I got not one error using this this instructions. The only thing I have not work on is the email stuff. Good Luck thank ronald for the help and I hope this helps someone not make the same mistakes I made lol
Optional: - Go to Webmin -> System -> Virtualmin Packages Updates just to check for Packages updates. - Select All and click on Update Selected Packages. ( I had 11 updates) - Go to Webmin -> Install scripts -> Select the scripts you like to install as per the new Domain you have created. - If you want to install default scripts at Virtual server creation stage: - Go to Virtualmin -> System Settings -> Server Templates and select the default template - From the Drop Down menu, select: Default script installers - Select the radio button that said Scripts below - Select the ones you like to be install when creating a new Virtual Srver. - As an example I selected phpMyadmin and just added the URL path /phpmyadmin and thats it. - To check/test your DNS Server you can visit this link: http://www.intodns.com/yourdomain.tld
You can create a user with sufficient rights in webmin and send the credentials to "service [@] stichtingizi.nl"
And then let's take it from there, I'll need a few days before i could have a look at it.
Great no problem. I was with family this week end and wasnt allow near the server. But will try doing that asap and email you details.
Is there a way to make a second Admin2 group ( instead of a user with sufficient rights) able to manage all or specific domains without the need to assign him to a specific domain? Just like the root can manage all domains. A would make an Admin2, close to root level rights, but not with all root user power.
that's what you can do under webmin - webmin - Webmin Users - Create a new Webmin user. - Available Webmin modules, then click the modules you want me to look at.
Yea I was just looking at that, was about to say found it. There so many mods I didn't know which ones to allow. I'm accessing from my iPhone right know and using, I guess the mobile skin/template and connection here is not at the best.
I also have a copy of the MX records needs to be add to the mail settings. I tried them but I most of been doing something wrong cus the didn't work right. On that record I have a CNAME line setting and I don't thing I have any CNAME setting on my server, so I left that part out and some is not right. I'll email u that too.
Will post back in a few
Here is an update, in case anyone has been following this post.
Thx to ronald, Virtualmin is is installed and is running as it should. There are a few things that still aren't working and one still is the mail part of the server but it appears that it is something that it has to do with ether my ISP blocking some ports or who knows what. I DO receive emails from outside my local network, the problem is that I keep getting a time out when trying to send out mail.
I Use Verizon FiOS as my ISP and they said, the don't block port 25, because they instead use port 465 (they said the switch from port 25 to port 465 for security reasons). Internally, all works great but I still have to get this to work because I have few scripts that need to send emails to users after they register or I case they need to activate or recuperate a password.
Port 25 is open (at least I think it is) beside that I did a Port Triggering:
Protocol - SMTP - Outgoing Trigger Ports - TCP Any -> 25 Incoming Ports to Open - TCP Any -> Same as Initiating Ports
If I telenet mail.boricua.com 25 here is what I get:
~$ telnet mail.boricuavps.com 25
Trying xxxxxx.xxx.xxx...
Connected to mail.boricuavps.com.
Escape character is '^]'.
220 ns1.boricuavps.com ESMTP Postfix (Ubuntu)
after about 2 minutes, I get this other message:
421 4.4.2 ns1.boricuavps.com Error: timeout exceeded
Connection closed by foreign host.
Other things that don't work for me at the moment:
1) I have a guest book script that uses 'Image verification' to allow posting to the guest book, but for some reason the server wont show the images.
2) I can only access FTP from LAN not WAN port 21 is open pointing to the server internal IP.
the good news is that I could successfully connect to your mailserver over port 25 this time.
also you need to telnet to a mailserver outside your LAN something like: mail.virtualmin.com
You may want to install php-gd for the images
FTP port 21 may be the same issue as the mail.
The router needs to understand to what LAN ip it needs to send the data over through port 21
Yea I should edit the post last night. I did installed the php-gd I had totally forgot the name if that sw, so that part is working. Damm router and damm ISP making my life more complicated lol.
I send emails to myself from gmail to the server and the worked just fine, the problem still in the sending of emails. It may just be a router miss-config thing. Hay hay hay.
I wish you can just change the outgoing port for sending emails in postfix that would be easier.
1) Well I installed php-gd and so that part is working.
2) FTP works as well, all I had to do was go to: Webmin -> Servers -> ProFTPD Server -> Denied FTP Users and remove root from that list, now I can access the FTP from a WAN.
3) Mail Server NOT SENDING outside mail (only works locally) but DOES RECEIVES mail locally and externally. I have not given up on the mail server yet tho.
I did Found a way to send mail using google relay (which I will post later) but then I can't receive mail lol
BTW here is what I get when I telnet mail.virtualmin.com
me@ns1:~$ telnet mail.virtualmin.com 25
Trying 108.60.199.107...
telnet: Unable to connect to remote host: Connection timed out
me@ns1:~$ telnet mail.virtualmin.com 465
Trying 108.60.199.107...
Connected to mail.virtualmin.com.
Escape character is '^]'.