So, finally we have reached a stage where we are going to learn on how the camouflage, known as the domain name, works for a site. Integrating a domain with an hosting account is one of the most essential part when it comes to building a web site. In this chapter we ‘ll try to understand on how we can connect a domain to a hosting account following a few few easy steps.
Originally posted on 2008-11-06
Sorry for such a long title. 
What you see written up there is pretty much true but unpopular. Most of the times webmasters tend to just change the nameservers which take days to propagate,and this becomes pain in their butts. Now written below is a faster way to do it.
The answer is A records. Yes, they usually take only few minutes or sometimes hours to take effect worldwide.
What are A records?(from Wikipedia)
They return a 32-bit IPv4 address, most commonly used to map hostnames to an IP address of the host.
How to implement them?
First of all, check whether your host provides you with Dns facilities. If they don’t, you should try editdns.net.
Steps:
1. Note the shared ip address of your hosting account. If you use cpanel then the ip address written on the fronpage. If you don’t use cpanel, then just do a dns lookup of your host’s nameserver and get its IP address. You can use network-tools.com for this.
2. Add the following three A records to your domain:
(a) yourdomain.com – ip address you noted in the above step
(b) www.yourdomain.com – same ip address (without this record www.youdomain.com won’t work)
(c) *.yourdomain.com – same ip address (without this you won’t be able to create sub-domains using your hosting account. “*” means a wildcard entry)
You are all done and your domain will be working in a few minutes or very rarely hours.
Advantages of using A records:-
1. Faster propagation of domain.
2. You have control of other records like MX, CNAME, etc. instead transferring your controls to your host.
3. Gives you ability to use services like google apps, live domains, etc. to the full extend.
Disadvantages:
1. You won’t be able to use email accounts at your host till configure your MX records or you always have option to use google apps whcich is free.
2. Just one as far as I remember
Note: You need to use AAA records if the ip address s IPv6.
Enjoy!
Originally posted on 19 jan 2009
Still using the ugly looking mail service from your hosting provider?
Its time for change!! Google’s waiting for ya!
Wondering what is Google Apps?? Here’s an overview:
An initiative by Google which provides free/paid mail service (@yourname.com) to individuals/ business/ organizations. And that’s not all. You make use of google talk, calender, docs, etc. using your address @yourdomain.com. “That’s cool”, I know!
Requirements:
* You need a domain. ( you know that!) even a co.cc would do!
* You need access to dns setting!! Most domain registrars provide you with that! If not read the “Note” at the end!
The “How to” :
* Reset your domain’s nameservers! Point your nameservers to your dns service provider’s nameservers (for those with no dns service provided by the the registrar).
* Check for the shared ip address in hosting’s control panel (or in short you need ip of you hosting providers’ nameservers!).
Instruction’s for cpanel:
1. Login into your cpanel account
2. In the left panel with all the stats, second is given the shred ip.
If you are unable to find the ip in your hosting’s panel, try these steps:
1. Go to http://network-tools.com/nslook/
2. Enter the first nameserver, generally ns1.somedomain.com, as the domain.
3. Select A records as the query type.
4. Click go.
5. Note the ip from results.
* Go to your domain’s dns control panel.
* Create the following records:
A record- yourdomain.com – ip noted above
A record- www.yourdomain.com – ip noted above
A record- *.yourdomain.com – ip noted above (* means wild card)
* Go to http://www.google.com/a/cpanel/domain/new and signup for google apps.
* Back to Dns control panel. Create few more records:
MailServer Hostname: – Priority- Type
ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM. – 10 – MX
ALT1.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM.- 20 – MX
ALT2.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM.- 30 – MX
ASPMX2.GOOGLEMAIL.COM. -40 – MX
ASPMX3.GOOGLEMAIL.COM.- 50 – MX
ASPMX4.GOOGLEMAIL.COM. – 60 – MX
ASPMX5.GOOGLEMAIL.COM.- 70- MX
* Go to your google apps Control panel : http://google.com/a/cpanel/*yourdomain.com*/
* Click on “verify your ownership”.
Follow the steps and click on “I’ve completed the steps”.
* Back to Dashboard and Activate everything. Just click activate and the “I’ve completed th steps”. You are already done with all the steps.
So, now you are ready to use your gmail using @yourdomain.com address. “That’s awesome!” I know.
Note: * When you dns provider provides you with no dns service:
1. Go to http://editdns.net and register.
2. Add your domain.
3. Back to you dns panel: Change your nameservers to
ns1.us.editdns.net
ns2.us.editdns.net
ns3.us.editdns.net
4. Use editdns as your dns panel and follow steps mentioned above.
So are you planning to use it. Sure you are!! I know you wouldn’t mind leaving a comment!