Querying the DNS server
To test the DNS server, at the command line type:
[root@server2 root]# nslookup netcontrol.org
[root@server2 root]# nslookup www.netcontrol.org
[root@server2 root]# nslookup ftp.netcontrol.org
[root@server2 root]# nslookup mail.netcontrol.org
These commands should return:
www.netcontrol.org canonical name = netcontrol.org.
Alternatively, since nslookup seems to disappear in the future, you can use the dig command to check the DNS.
[root@server2 root]# dig netcontrol.org
Now that the DNS is working, configure any computer in your network. Set it in the same subnet-mask and pick any unused IP address in table 9.1. Note that it can be a windows machine. In the network properties, now include the DNS IP.
Look at my example
Here I am using a Windows machine. I set the IP address and the Subnet mask. I also set the DNS number.
Now, if I use the windows machine and point my browser to:
I should be able to get to my web server's home page.
To speed up the request you need to enter the Gateway on your client side. Congratulations for successfully setting up your DNS server, you can even point the domain name from your registrar to your newly set up DNS server.
As I mentioned earlier, you can now use the DNS server to do virtual hosting and become an ISP. I would be proud to know that you are actually running a data center. Keep in touch, I can be found at www.netcontrol.org