External DNS Server/Plesk Issue

[korireed]

Okay, I recently installed Plesk Control Panel (today actually) so I am totally new.
I read that it is possible to setup Plesk CP to work for domains with external DNS servers, and have attempted to set it up just like the Administrator's Guide suggests.

However, I have an issue.
My server is on a LAN, and doesn't have a direct external IP address.
The DNS points to my router, and the router forwards the proper requests to the server, and I do not know if it is possible to put my server out on the Internet with its own external IP due to my ISP being Qwest.

But because of the DNS pointing to my router instead of the server itself, and the fact that I can't set the site up to operate on the same IP since it creates a conflict because Plesk creates a new IP in the list of IPs in the Network Connection itself, the DNS doesn't resolve correctly and my site will not work.

Just for the record here is the error it gives me when I have it test my DNS settings:
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*** Ok : A record is valid for coryreid.com domain (IP=*MY_IP*). *** Warning : IP address does not match the A record for coryreid.com domain (IP=*MY_IP*). *** Warning : IP address does not match the A record for coryreid.com domain (IP=*MY_IP*). *** Warning : IP address does not match the A record for coryreid.com domain (IP=*MY_IP*). *** Warning : IP address does not match the A record for coryreid.com domain (IP=*MY_IP*). *** Error : REFUSED DNS query fails
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I replaced my actual IP with *MY_IP* just to be safe.
Any assistance would be much appreciated.

 

[korireed]

83 views and no reply, this must be troubling or no one has a clue. Lol.

 

[jricart]

quick question about the problem

hey there, don't know if you ever got this issue resolved; had a question, though. On you router, did you setup a DMZ directed toward the LAN IP address of your server?

Josh

 

[korireed]

I was not able to resolve the issue, and I resolved to essentially giving up on Plesk. Also, no I had not set up a DMZ, and in fact have virtually no clue as to what that is (other than the demilitarized zone).

 

[jricart]

A shame to hear that you had to give up using the control panel, it makes running a server much less hassle. However, I will admit, the setup you were attempting isn't an ideal situation.

My mentioning the DMZ was merely a means of making the router "invisible" to some extent. Basically, if you set it to the IP address assigned to the PC/server, then the data will go directly to said PC/server as if it were directly connected to the net. I used to have them setup whenever I was stuck in a LAN at my office where we had multiple computers, it allowed me to connect directly to my PC via Remote Desktop by typing in the IP address assigned by the ISP. The incoming traffic was routed directly to the computer as if the LAN didn't exist.

If it is no longer an issue of using Plesk, then I suppose the matter is closed. Sorry that no one helped.

Josh

 

[korireed]

Hm.
Do you think it's possible that setting up this DMZ will correct the issue I was having?

If you wouldn't mind could you maybe direct me to some resources for setting up a DMZ, as I'm unfamiliar with it and am not sure what would be good/bad.

Also, if there's any chance this could cure my problem I'd do it in a heartbeat, because I'd really prefer having Plesk available, due to the simplicity it adds. :]

 

[jricart]

first thing's first, what kind of router are you using

Each brandname generally uses a different layout for their router interfaces. If you're unfamiliar with setting up DMZ, lookup the manual for your router and find the section dedicated to this. For instance, the linksys router I have at home (300N) has the DMZ located in the section "Applications & Gaming."

Once there, it should be simple; just set the destination (or whatever term they use) to the MAC/IP address of your server. This will direct inbound traffic from the net to your server, no filters, no firewalls... hence the name.

After this step is complete, you will then find out whether any more problems will hinder you, but at least you'll have something that is working. Additionally, I would recommend, if it is not the case already, that you request a dedicated IP address from your ISP.

Tell me how it works out for you.

Josh

 

[korireed]

Okay. Sorry I took so long to reply - I haven't had time.

I've enabled "DMZ Plus" mode on my modem for the server. I've checked it and the server's IP address, according to the modem, is now my external IP address, which I believe is good.

I am now going to reconfigure my server so I can install Plesk again and try it! I think it just might work!

Also I had a quick question...

I use Kerio MailServer to forward my mail through my Google Apps account (because of my ISP I can't configure my server to send SMTP without having a special business account that I can't afford), and I know that Plesk made me install it's mail abilities in the past, but if I just disabled that and continued to use Kerio - would it still work, or does Plesk force you to use its SMTP server?

Also, if I have to use Plesk's, is there any way to have it relay though my Google Apps account?

 

[korireed]

Okay. I just went and spent the 2 hours to install it and tried to set it back up to use external DNS servers, and I got the same results...even though everything uses the same IP address as far as I can tell.

If I need to I'm happy to use Plesk as the DNS server, which would actually probably be nicer...

I just don't know what I need to do to get that to where my server answeres its own DNS requests for the rest of the Internet, and I only have one server so I'd probably just use Yahoo's server as the secondary.

 

[jricart]

Setup nameserver

I just don't know what I need to do to get that to where my server answeres its own DNS requests for the rest of the Internet, and I only have one server so I'd probably just use Yahoo's server as the secondary.

Alright Cory,
If you want to setup your own nameserver, you're going to have to configure the hostname with the registrar. Login to your account at the registrar and navigate to the section for host summary (or something similar). There you will be able to setup something like:
host name: ns.example.com
host IP 1: xxx.xxx.xxx.xxx

Then assign the host name you created (ns.example.com) as one of your domain's nameservers and this will direct DNS requests to your server. You can optionally created more host names and use them to point to the same server, but many would argue it's best to have an offsite nameserver; this is true if for whatever reason, the DNS stops working properly on your server.

It's very important that you setup the DNS records in your domain Plesk account beforehand. As far as the mail servers are concerned, you can copy the entries listed in the yahoo records and insert them in Plesk.

Tell me if that works for you. It might take some time for all these changes to take effect.

I hope this is what you were after; I'm a little uncertain as your previous post seemed a little vague.

Warm Regards,
Josh

 

[korireed]

Okay. Thank you for all the information. I may do that in the future...

But for whatever reason, it's now working.
I've setup everything like I did in the past, no different. Plesk still tells me the DNS query fails, but when you go to my website it actually loads...


So thank you! Thank you for all your help!

 

[jricart]

Glad I could be of service. Although I would have wanted to figure out the origin of that error, at least the goal was accomplished.

Now remember to check everything with the internal firewall. With the DMZ active, you are bypassing the router's firewall. However, Plesk should be able to take care of everything, just keep this in mind.

So, score some brownie points for me and you've got your server, everyone's a winner. Not bad for a two month wait on this thread, I just hope mine doesn't take so long.

Regards,
Josh

 

[korireed]

I certainly hope you don' thave that long of a wait either. I read your thread - I'd help but...

Well I believe this thread serves as an example to my experience. :]