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My $.02...
Re: Feature Request - Remote Admin
From: Barry Cotter
Date: Sunday, February 7, 1999
Time: 12:36:00 am
I also believe web based admin is a much desired/needed feature for
QuickDNS...
In reply to jer's comments, running only one item, such as QuickDNS on a
server does not make sense. DNS is not an overly intensive process and is
"backed up" by secondary dns server(s). I think the instability of apps
such as WebStar etc... is what makes us fear working on a machine while it
is serving.
I don't advocate running lots of services on one machine, in fact I have the
luxury of dedicating single machines to single processes, but editing zone
files on the active dns server should be considered ok.
DNS is dynamic and needs to be updated as soon as changes are made, not at
timed intervals, so having to time restarts etc... is not adequate. If the
zone file changes the dns should be updated immediately.
I would like to see an web interface for working with QuickDNS. As a
minimum, one should be at least able to add and delete records from existing
zone files. Being able to add or delete domains would be an added treat. I
also believe the ability to add or delete "secondary" domain/records should
be included.
In order to make changes to my primary DNS running on QuickDNS, I usually
Timbuktu to the server. I could go stand at my server rack and deal with
things with a live keyboard and monitor but in my environment this isn't as
practical. I have a number of racks of servers and if I can avoid standing
in front of them I do. I also tend to work outside of the office a lot so
am not always in the same office as my servers.
As my secondary dns runs on a linux box elsewhere, when making changes to it
I simply go to a web page on the 2ndary server and make appropriate changes.
My upstream provider has developed a web interface for the dns process they
run. It is much easier to administer my secondary and something I can do
from anywhere in the world without requiring TTU to be on the machine.
Being at MacWorld last month was interesting... getting a cell phone call on
the show floor with a request to make urgent DNS changes meant finding an
_available_ machine running Timbuktu. If I been able to use a web interface
there were hundreds of available machines.
Finally, as I operate a Macintosh based ISP business where we offer
connectivity, server collocation, and site/domain hosting, it would be nice
to be able to give clients access to their own dns records if/as necessary.
With an appropriate username/password it would be great if they would be
able to add/delete/change records as required. No, this might not be
appropriate for all clients, but it would be for most, specially the
connectivity clients we have where we offer dns services. This is
essentially what we get from our upstream provider. It is obvious why they
added the functionality... with it they don't have to take my calls every
time I need to make changes to the dns.
Again, just my $.02. As this has been a frequent request of QuickDNS, any
comment from Men&Mice as to whether this might be in the cards?
Cheers!
Barry
----------
> I don't really agree with running anything on any server other than the
> server software. I could envision a remote admin to monitor things,
> etc... or restart the DNS server, but not editing files locally on the
> server itself...
>
> Try this for easy.. FTP files/changes/additions to your zone files, then
> create an apple script that reboots the server twice daily.(not the box,
> just QDNS) Once at noon and once at midnight.
>
> jer
>
> "On a day no different than the one now dawning, Leonardo drew the first
> strokes of the Mona Lisa, Shakespeare wrote the first words of Hamlet, and
> Beethoven began work on his Ninth Symphony." And Windows98 Crashed!
>
> COMPAQ Class Action Law Suit: http://members.aol.com/CClass450/index.htm
>
>
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