DNS - BIND Configuration Issues

Hello all! This is my first post as I just joined up but have some here for info for quite some time now!

I currently have a domain name (cfcoder.com) which is at GoDaddy. What I am trying to do is configure BIND 9.2.3 on my Windows XP SP2 machine here in my apartment. I am on cable with a dynamic IP (although it has not changed in 2.5 years, even with my equipment being off for 5 days consecutively!).

I have read through SilentRage's replies to everyone elses problems and questions and despite my attempt to get it right, I find myself pulling my hair out here. I even downloaded the template files and configured them for my setup, all to no avail.

Right now my domain name has two name servers set: ns1.dsnexit.com
ns2.dnsexit.com

I can change these to whatever I need to, but thought I would wait and see if I could at least get the services to start first. I too am getting the "Error 1067: The process temrinated unexpectedly".

Just a few more details...
Linksys Cable Modem
Linksys Wireless Router

I have also attached a zip file of my etc/* files, minus the key file.

My apologies for the long winded post, I wanted to be as thorough as possible to cut down on the back and forth that usually results from not being thorough enough with the situation.

I would appreciate any and all feedback and assistance. I am looking forward to learning more and getting my domain hosted by me in my apartment so I can continue to tinker and learn!

Thanks!

Mike T.

And there you have the only reason why anybody should host their own domain. Cause it's just more fun that way.

Yeah, the 5 days down thing is impressive, but it's most likely the DHCP lease time is no longer than 7 days. Stay down too long and your IP will definately change. My lease only lasts 4 days.

If the process fails to start and stay running, then it is a problem with your named.conf. Always. Usually it's a syntax error. I've looked at your named.conf and see nothing wrong with it, but then, I rarely do. Error information is your best friend.

So drag up your control panel. Double click the administrative tools. Then do the same with event log viewer. Tell me what all red flagged errors you get with the named process.

OR

execute the following command in DOS and paste the response:

C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\dns\bin>named -g

Here is the output from the System Event Log.

"DCOM got error "The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it. " attempting to start the service StiSvc with arguments "" in order to run the server:
{A1F4E726-8CF1-11D1-BF92-0060081ED811}"

and attached as a gif is the ouput from executing the command to start up bind from the command line.....

Thanks for your help! Much appreciated.

Mike T.

according to the named debug command, it was able to start running perfectly fine. However, there's something wacky about your named service. Now go here:

Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services -> ISC BIND

Right-click and pull up the properties. Make sure the service isn't listed as disabled. See what you can do to start it.

You can also try to execute it directly. Double click the named.exe program.

Ok..

assuming when i get the service startup squared away... is my final step to go over to godaddy and change the name servers to ns1.myip.com and ns2.myip.com?

Thanks for the continued help!

Mike T.

Yes, you need to create hosts at godaddy with your IP. Then assign them as your name servers.

I just created the two hosts: ns1.cfcoder.com and ns2.cfcoder.com and set them as my name servers at godaddy.com. I also noticed that my IP changed today!!! WEIRD! It has not changed on its own since I got Comcast cable installed 2.5 years ago!

Anyway, I just need to stop BIND update the files with my IP and restart BIND right?

In a day or so once everything propogates and becomes settled, my domain name www.cfcoder.com should answer from my machine right?

Thanks for all the help. It was much appreciated.. does it look and sound like im all set?

Mike T

Quick after thought...

When I created the hosts, I enetered in ns1 and ns2 and my IP for each. When I edited my name servers at godaddy, I used ns1.cfcoder.com and ns2.cfcoder.com...

Was that correct? I was looking in the config files and didn't see my IP address and got to thinking, I might not realize how all this is working.

"I also noticed that my IP changed today!!! WEIRD!"

Although usually the IP won't change due to how DHCP works and with your router trying as best as it can to keep the same IP, the IP can still change if comcast resets the DHCP server or do whatever else reorganizing on their network. My recommendation is that you should start looking for external domain hosting if your IP starts changing more than once a month.

"Anyway, I just need to stop BIND update the files with my IP and restart BIND right?"

it's better if you reload bind. Execute the following at the DOS prompt to tell BIND to reload the config files:

C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\dns\bin>rndc reload

"In a day or so once everything propogates and becomes settled, my domain name www.cfcoder.com should answer from my machine right?"

You can check on the DNS status of your domain with the following link. When it shows your servers, any further problems is your server's fault:

cfcoder.com Name Servers

"does it look and sound like im all set?"

sure.

"Was that correct?"

yes, you can check out your name server registration status below:

whois cfcoder.com
whois ns1.cfcoder.com
whois ns2.cfcoder.com

Who do you recommend :-)

Well since you love to mess around with BIND, then I recommend DollarDNS and no one else. The Zone Manager I developed gives you as much low level exposure as possible with your domains on the DollarDNS server. You can raw edit your zone files and set the various configuration options in the zone {} block for each domain. Saving your zone first passes the zone to named-checkzone.exe to make sure you don't have any syntax errors before you save. You even have access to logs which is yet another feature no other domain host provides.

Knowing BIND helps you know how to use the Zone Manager. Knowing how to use the Zone Manager helps you know BIND. I guess the closest related software out there like the Zone Manager are control panels which have BIND plugins.

But don't take my word for it, here's many other domain hosts who provide free service:

http://www.dollardns.net/compare.html

How much and how long does it take to get setup?

It's free, and all it takes is creating an account on there yourself. The domain hosting service is completely automated and updating your domains is instantaneous - just like a personal dns server can be. There might be a bit of a wait for your account registration confirmation email - sometimes I notice clients taking a day to verify, sometimes they verify within a couple minutes.

There's a trial account which you can play with first if you wish.

All signed up, waiting for the confirmation email. I would also like to hire you to get me all setup and taken care of, and maybe even look into email too!!

Let me know your availability (email me: mtangorre@hotmail.com) and what I need to do to enlist your servies!

Thanks!

Mike

PS---> the name servers have still not updated...