Bind DNS + Webmin Config

[Sharkey]

Hello,
I own a VPS and I've installed Ubuntu Server onto it.
I will be using it as my primary web host for our gaming network, running Apache and the web control panel Webmin. Through this it allows me to install a BIND DNS Server. Would this be a good idea if I'm planning to host multiple domains for websites on my VPS? Is there any guidance you can give me to installing such a server?

Thanks,
Spencer Sharkey

[Edge100x]

I'd generally recommend using a 3rd party DNS service such as ours here or one of the free ones, unless you have some time to learn how BIND works -- there isn't a significant advantage to running your own.

I'm not familiar with Webmin, but it might make setting up BIND a bit easier for you.

[Sharkey]

Thanks for your fast reply.
I have all the time in the world, so I think I'm going to take the option to install it myself.
We're trying to be a little professional, as we're going to host a fairly good amount of domains here.
I have a few simple questions if anyone doesn't mind answering.
I know standard Name servers have names like:
ns1.nfoservers.com
ns2.nfoservers.com

Now, if I wanted my own (ns1.sf-networks.com, and ns2.sf-networks.com) would I need to use a 3rd party DNS server to forward a domain to my VPS to then do that? Or can I forward one domain to an IP name server? Just a bit confused like that.
What are the things I'd need to create my own DNS server? I have Bind and Webmin installed. (Webmin is a little control panel for Apahce, PHP, MySQL, DNS, and other servers)
Do I need 2 IP Addresses for the two separate name servers? I have 3 IP's on my system.

Thanks in advanced,
Spencer Sharkey

[Edge100x]

Now, if I wanted my own (ns1.sf-networks.com, and ns2.sf-networks.com) would I need to use a 3rd party DNS server to forward a domain to my VPS to then do that? Or can I forward one domain to an IP name server? Just a bit confused like that.

Your registrar will give you the ability to configure the name server entries for your domain, which are set separately from what you do with BIND (confusingly). For instance, with Godaddy, they're configured through a control panel: http://help.godaddy.com/article/668

What are the things I'd need to create my own DNS server? I have Bind and Webmin installed. (Webmin is a little control panel for Apahce, PHP, MySQL, DNS, and other servers)

Your control panel should manage this for you. Most likely, you'll need to add the domain that you want to configure DNS for via Webmin, configure a couple of subdomains (like @ and www), and also set up the DNS hosts through your registrar, and that will get things going.

Do I need 2 IP Addresses for the two separate name servers? I have 3 IP's on my system.

You should only need to use one IP for your name server, although it's always good to have more than one DNS server at physically separate locations; you might consider using a free DNS provider as a secondary, if you're not ready to invest in a second VDS. This IP you use for your DNS server also be used for other services, such as webhosting, email, or FTP.

[Sharkey]

Thank you very much for all this help, I really appreciate it.
One more thing, though

I have configured my Bind DNS server with my master zone. I configured my nameservers on it to, everything using the domain: sf-networks.com.
So technically, I guess my server is using ns1.sf-networks.com and ns2.sf-networks.com

How would I get about transferring my sf-networks.com to the server to use ns1.sf-networks.com and ns2.sf-networks.com? I transfered the domain to ns1.nfoservers.com and ns2.nfoservers.com and added to the domain to my nfo webserver's domain list. From there I added an A record to forward to my VPS's IP.

I have asked my host to them try and forward another domain I own, counterbank.net
to my setup DNS server ns1.sf-networks.com and ns2.sf-networks.com...
It didn't seem to transfer properly because it's still on the older name servers.

Any ideas or suggestions?
Thank you so much,
Spencer Sharkey

[Edge100x]

To switch to your own name servers, you'll have to go back to your registrar and adjust the name server entries, just as you did before when changing to us. In doing this, you will also have to create new name server records that specify your name server's IP address.