We have a dedicated server. dnsstuff.com report is perfect except for "Open
DNS Server" warning. I've been advised that it will likely do no damage.
However, it's also been advised that I could lose the message by purchasing
DNS hosting software to replace Windows 2003 DNS Server. I wouldn't mind
fixing the warning, but I would also like an easier way to manage 500+
domain names. Few questions...

1) Would purchasing my own DNS hosting software and installing it on the
Windows 2003 server solve this problem?

2) My choices are picking a 3rd party website or buying my own software.
Which is better? Opinions? Pros/Cons?

3) Other than websites that host DNS, the only software I've seen is Simple
DNS. Are there others?

4) Basically, how would hosting my own software work? Presently, I have
GoDaddy forwarding some domains and some pointing at my dedicated name
server address. Would I be pointing "ALL" Godaddy domains to my name server
address, then setting up the IP addresses with the software?

thanks!

"shank" <shank@tampabay.rr.com> wrote in message
news:ujki095zGHA.4204@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> We have a dedicated server. dnsstuff.com report is perfect except for
> "Open DNS Server" warning. I've been advised that it will likely do no
> damage. However, it's also been advised that I could lose the message by
> purchasing DNS hosting software to replace Windows 2003 DNS Server. I
> wouldn't mind fixing the warning, but I would also like an easier way to
> manage 500+ domain names. Few questions...

Is that the precise message? Or is it something to the effect
that it is an open to RECURSIVE queries?

IF the latter, or even if that is what the message you quoted
really means then you can just go to the Advanced tab of the
server and DISABLE RECUREION (Including FORWARDING.)

This presumes that you are not also trying to use your DNS server
to service your internal clients in which case you need at least
"forwarding" and there is no way to precisely ONLY forward
recurse on the internal NIC and (at the same time) refuse to
answer on the external NIC for anything BUT your own zone.

> 1) Would purchasing my own DNS hosting software and installing it on the
> Windows 2003 server solve this problem?

If you take this route you don't need to purchase anything but could
run BIND on the External NIC (and if needed Windows on ther internal
NIC) but all of this is overkill.

> 2) My choices are picking a 3rd party website or buying my own software.
> Which is better? Opinions? Pros/Cons?

If we are still talking DNS then you best bet is to put your DNS
"back at the REGISTRAR" (where it generally belongs for all
except those with the largest Internet presence.)

> 3) Other than websites that host DNS, the only software I've seen is
> Simple DNS. Are there others?

I am not sure what you mean here; Practically all of the "Registrars"
support giving you DNS when you register a Name and offer a WEB
interface for managing it.

There is also PLENTY of free DNS software if you need another
server. (Doubtful you need it but it is available.)

> 4) Basically, how would hosting my own software work? Presently, I have
> GoDaddy forwarding some domains and some pointing at my dedicated name
> server address. Would I be pointing "ALL" Godaddy domains to my name
> server address, then setting up the IP addresses with the software?

Let Godaddy provide your DNS server. Use Windows DNS only for you
own clients.


--
Herb Martin, MCSE, MVP
Accelerated MCSE
http://www.LearnQuick.Com
[phone number on web site]


> thanks!
>

>>go to the Advanced tab of the server and DISABLE RECUREION (Including
>>FORWARDING.)<<

I did that a while back as a quickie fix and the shut down. Not smart enough
to know why and didn't have the time to play with it.

>>Let Godaddy provide your DNS server. Use Windows DNS only for you own
>>clients.<<

I do that now and it works. But it is a royal pain. Someone must have some
software to better manage all the DNS files. Now, when I start a new zone, I
use the Windows interface to create the file. Then I open a similar DNS file
as a template. Change names, IPs, etc. Then cut-n-paste back into the new
file. Save then reload. It's the fastest way I know of, but still a pain.

thanks!

shank wrote:
> We have a dedicated server. dnsstuff.com report is perfect except for
> "Open DNS Server" warning. I've been advised that it will likely do
> no damage. However, it's also been advised that I could lose the
> message by purchasing DNS hosting software to replace Windows 2003
> DNS Server. I wouldn't mind fixing the warning, but I would also like
> an easier way to manage 500+ domain names. Few questions...

As Herb said, Disable recursion on the Advanced tab.

>
> 1) Would purchasing my own DNS hosting software and installing it on
> the Windows 2003 server solve this problem?

What do you consider DNS hosting software to be?
I'm confused because a DNS server that can host zones is DNS hosting
software. Which means you have DNS hosting software.



--
Best regards,
Kevin D. Goodknecht Sr. [MVP]
Hope This s
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