Domain name help

Tess32

Hi

I am having a bit of trouble understanding the domain name stuff.

I recently signed up to a web hosting company and when I registered, I got a domain name as well. I then cancelled it as I signed up with smugmug, and figured I could just use that instead of having a seperate gallery AND website.

So I still own the domain name, but they tell me they cannot set a CNAME for me, and that I will have to sign up to another webhost and then get them to do it.

Is this right? Does everyone have both a webhost AND smugmug account?

Appreciate any help on what to do.

Nat

Andy

Tess32 wrote:

Hi

I am having a bit of trouble understanding the domain name stuff.

I recently signed up to a web hosting company and when I registered, I got a domain name as well. I then cancelled it as I signed up with smugmug, and figured I could just use that instead of having a seperate gallery AND website.

So I still own the domain name, but they tell me they cannot set a CNAME for me, and that I will have to sign up to another webhost and then get them to do it.

Is this right? Does everyone have both a webhost AND smugmug account?

Appreciate any help on what to do.

Nat

Hi and welcome to Dgrin and SmugMug! I'm your House Pro and I'll help you.

Who's your domain host? Usually we can get anyone set up with a CNAME, but if they won't, then it's not hard to move your domain name to another one that will

Tess32

Andy wrote:

Hi and welcome to Dgrin and SmugMug! I'm your House Pro and I'll help you.

Who's your domain host? Usually we can get anyone set up with a CNAME, but if they won't, then it's not hard to move your domain name to another one that will

Thank you

I was hosting the webspace with www.netlogistics.com.au I think I have driven them a bit nuts with my questions lately, especially as I have just cancelled them!

I am pretty sure that the actual domain was registered with http://www.netregistry.com.au but I don't have any passwords to that.

My domain name is www.durbervillephotography.com.au

Thanks for any help

I'm in Australia so that might complicate things?!

Nat

Andy

Tess32 wrote:

I'm in Australia so that might complicate things?!

Nat

No, shouldn't. When we're all done you can just send the Cherry Ripes and Vovos to my office address

So, I can't speak for them, haven't worked with them. But your .au name should work fine, we have pros from Oz: www.introversion.com.au

Email them. Tell them you need a simple CNAME Alias of www.durbervillephotography.com.au to www.smugmug.com
Show them our help page: http://www.smugmug.com/help/professional-accounts

If they can't or won't, we'll get Devbobo (moderator here, SmugMugger, and Fellow Aussie, to lean on them for you.

OK?

Tess32

Andy wrote:

No, shouldn't. When we're all done you can just send the Cherry Ripes and Vovos to my office address

So, I can't speak for them, haven't worked with them. But your .au name should work fine, we have pros from Oz: www.introversion.com.au

Email them. Tell them you need a simple CNAME Alias of www.durbervillephotography.com.au to www.smugmug.com
Show them our help page: http://www.smugmug.com/help/professional-accounts

If they can't or won't, we'll get Devbobo (moderator here, SmugMugger, and Fellow Aussie, to lean on them for you.

OK?

ha, cherry ripes. No problem there

I have told them that, but they came back twice with this response:

"
We can't set a CNAME record for you unless you have hosting with us. You will need to host the domain somewhere (either proper hosting or just DNS hosting), and the host will need to set the CNAME record."

What is "just" dns hosting?

I really thought they could just give me the details to go to Net Registry and then I could change it myself.

I think I need some leaning....hehe.

Nat

Andy

Tess32 wrote:

ha, cherry ripes. No problem there

I have told them that, but they came back twice with this response:

"
We can't set a CNAME record for you unless you have hosting with us. You will need to host the domain somewhere (either proper hosting or just DNS hosting), and the host will need to set the CNAME record."

What is "just" dns hosting?

I really thought they could just give me the details to go to Net Registry and then I could change it myself.

I think I need some leaning....hehe.

Nat

If you don't mind, I've pinged Devbobo, let's see what his recommendations might be.

One other thing, you could always just switch - I know that some folks down under use Joker, we really love them...

Tess32

Andy wrote:

If you don't mind, I've pinged Devbobo, let's see what his recommendations might be.

One other thing, you could always just switch - I know that some folks down under use Joker, we really love them...

Thanks for that. If he agrees I have no problems transferring to somewhere else so I actually have some control over it.

dragon300zx

Ok guys heres the deal.

Your webhost was proving web hosting and domain hosting.

You cancled your account with them. They are no longer hosting your website or your domain.

This is why I never register my domain names with my webhosting company........

You need to transfer your domain name to a company that will host it for you. Say something like godaddy.com for example (they don't even pay me though the should).

You will be forced to renew your domain for an additional year when you do the transfer but thats not really all that expensive. Your old hosting company is going to have to comply with the transfer to get it to go through and this could be the tricky part but seeing as they are saying to get a domain host and don't want to deal with your account apparantley then it shouldn't be a problem.

Now once your domain is being hosted again cname or another type of domain forwarding can be setup.

First you have to get the domain hosted again.

And yes Andy domains have to be hosted. The almight gods of the net require your domain to be hosted on no less than 2 dns servers to provide as close to 100% uptime as possible. So seeing as currently her domain isn't technically hosted anywhere no one can setup a cname. Now if you can get the login and password to the company where the domain was registered you might jsut have a shot. But you would need to contact the registrar to see if they can help you with that.

I still recommend going through the hassle and xferring to godaddy.com as it will make life easier.

dragon300zx

OK I am all of the sudden really awake so here is a much better answer to solve your problems faster.

Netlogistics is the hosting company. However NetRegistry is the domain hosting company or domain registrar if you will. These are the only people you should be concerned with at this point and they are you who need to talk to. However I have a feeling the two companies are connected they are still two seperate companies.

Now your whois says that the owner of the domain is you Natalie ******

and that your email address ends in

optushome.com.au

Is this information correct?

If it is you can simply call them up, explain the situation and they will help you or at least should if they don't wanna go up against the big boys of the web ICANN who can make life not so happy for them.

Here is the catch 22, they don't offer url redirction, etc for free. They charge an additional $19.95 a year for this. Which is nuts.

You are still better off contacting this company and transferring everything over to another registrar like godaddy.com that offers the domain redirect, better customer service, etc included with the purchace of a domain or transfer of a domain.

Also Dominic Main of netregistry is currently listed as your technical contact. You want that changed to your info.

Their number is 1800 78 80 82.

dragon300zx

http://www.netregistry.com.au/customer-service/support/domain/dns_zones.php

That page talks about changing your cname with this and also explains that you need that extra service from them to do it.

Tess32

Thanks.

Yep, that info is right.

I'm assuming godaddy.com is US based, would there be any drawbacks in not choosing an Australian registrar instead?

Lessons learned that this is the last time I never register a domain with a web hosting company

I'll contact Net Registry & and see what they say about it.

App. the help, again...:D

Nat

dragon300zx wrote:

OK I am all of the sudden really awake so here is a much better answer to solve your problems faster.

Netlogistics is the hosting company. However NetRegistry is the domain hosting company or domain registrar if you will. These are the only people you should be concerned with at this point and they are you who need to talk to. However I have a feeling the two companies are connected they are still two seperate companies.

Now your whois says that the owner of the domain is you Natalie ******

and that your email address ends in

optushome.com.au

Is this information correct?

If it is you can simply call them up, explain the situation and they will help you or at least should if they don't wanna go up against the big boys of the web ICANN who can make life not so happy for them.

Here is the catch 22, they don't offer url redirction, etc for free. They charge an additional $19.95 a year for this. Which is nuts.

You are still better off contacting this company and transferring everything over to another registrar like godaddy.com that offers the domain redirect, better customer service, etc included with the purchace of a domain or transfer of a domain.

Also Dominic Main of netregistry is currently listed as your technical contact. You want that changed to your info.

Their number is 1800 78 80 82.

dragon300zx

Godaddy.com may not be the host for you after looking they don't advertise supporting the .com.au listings although they support them for .com.tw .com.eu etc so they may support your but not list it. best bet would be to call them and find out. They are usually very friendly and if they can't help they will know a good company that can usually.

Tess32 wrote:

Thanks.

Yep, that info is right.

I'm assuming godaddy.com is US based, would there be any drawbacks in not choosing an Australian registrar instead?

Lessons learned that this is the last time I never register a domain with a web hosting company

I'll contact Net Registry & and see what they say about it.

App. the help, again...:D

Nat

devbobo

Hey Nat,

Sorry I was a bit late to the party, I have been out and about a bit today.

Looks like dragon has pretty much sorted you out. My domain is registered with NetRegistry and I pay the $19.95 per year for the CNAME feature. I agree it's a bit expensive, but the feature I do like is that I can forward all email for that domain to any email address of my choice.

I'm pretty sure that NetRegistry will sort you out pretty quickly, they have always been very responsive.

In regard to godaddy.com, they don't offer com.au domains. Due to com.au domains not being open to a free for all like most other domains (ie. must have a registered business of some sort), it's not as popular for overseas bulk registers like godaddy.

Anyway, if you have any other questions, don't hesitate to ask.

Cheers,

David

Karenl39

GoDaddy
I use Godaddy and have set it up so that when somebody types in www.karenlynchphotography.com, they get to my smugmug site which is karenlynch.smugmug.com. Nowadays I know lots of people will type in domain names without the www. Is there any way to set it up so that if somebody types in karenlynchphotography.com it still will point to my smugmug site?

Andy

Karenl39 wrote:

I use Godaddy and have set it up so that when somebody types in www.karenlynchphotography.com, they get to my smugmug site which is karenlynch.smugmug.com. Nowadays I know lots of people will type in domain names without the www. Is there any way to set it up so that if somebody types in karenlynchphotography.com it still will point to my smugmug site?

Yes, set up an A record on Godaddy, IN ADDITION to your CNAME that's already set up. A records are explained here: http://www.smugmug.com/help/professional-accounts
Beware, we can change our IP, so if that happened you'd have to update your A record.

Karenl39

Then, maybe I am just better off forwarding it? I forwarded it now so if somebody types in karenlynchphotography.com it goes to karenlynch.smugmug.com. Will everything still be ok if you change your ip address with it that way and with the CName way?

Andy

Karenl39 wrote:

Then, maybe I am just better off forwarding it? I forwarded it now so if somebody types in karenlynchphotography.com it goes to karenlynch.smugmug.com. Will everything still be ok if you change your ip address with it that way and with the CName way?

Forwarding Bad, CNAME good.
http://blogs.smugmug.com/pros/page/2/ last blog entry on the page.

Karenl39

Andy wrote:

Forwarding Bad, CNAME good.
http://blogs.smugmug.com/pros/page/2/ last blog entry on the page.

Yikes! Ok. I am using CNAME and forwarding. I guess I am better off just cancelling the forwarding, right?

Andy

Karenl39 wrote:

Yikes! Ok. I am using CNAME and forwarding. I guess I am better off just cancelling the forwarding, right?

Just put in an A record - and leave the CNAME alone... you'll know if we make an ip addy change, and it's a quick edit to put in the new ip address

Tess32

I've had a reply from net registry -

To make changes via email to your account we do need to confirm security
details.

What i suggest if you are having issues with the reseller, and would
like to move away from them into your own account. You will be required
to fill in an accounts split.

When this is completed we can give you all your security details


uqte

So I'm presuming I have to get this accounts split form from Net logistics? Have asked both of them so more waiting

Nat

Tess32

Ok I think I need more help

I emailed both Net Registry and Net Logistics and I keep getting different answers!

First, Net Registry said to fill out a split accounts form, but then another person from that company said to get Net Logistics to fax on letterhead a letter saying to transfer the domain to my account.

So I told Net Logistics this and they said they will contact Net Registry and find out as they were not familiar with the protocol. That was three days ago and I've emailed and they just say they are waiting on Net Registry!!

Is there anything I can do? I mean I have paid for the domain and yet haevn't actually been able to use it now for 7 days or so.

Nat

dragon300zx

Tess32 wrote:

Is there anything I can do? I mean I have paid for the domain and yet haevn't actually been able to use it now for 7 days or so.

Nat

You said you had emailed these companies? You might wanna try calling net registry and speaking with someone directly on the phone. They may be confused as to what is really going on here. Also it may help to do a conference call with Net Registry and Net Logistics on the phone at the same time that way everyone can be on the same page and there isn't a whole bunch of he said she said. That would most likely be the fastest way to work things out. They shouldn't be holding this hostage especially when you are listed as the domain name owner.

Tess32

dragon300zx wrote:

You said you had emailed these companies? You might wanna try calling net registry and speaking with someone directly on the phone. They may be confused as to what is really going on here. Also it may help to do a conference call with Net Registry and Net Logistics on the phone at the same time that way everyone can be on the same page and there isn't a whole bunch of he said she said. That would most likely be the fastest way to work things out. They shouldn't be holding this hostage especially when you are listed as the domain name owner.

Thank you...

I actually got a response from Net Registry saying to fill out the form. I did, and they said it would take effect in 48 hours. So I will check tomorrow as it is currently still going towards NL.

However, am I right in thinking that I'm still going to need somewhere to host it? The whois right now has Net Logistic's DNS servers as hosting it (which they obviously aren't) and I guess as you only change the cname to smugmug, then you still need other name servers? I think someone said that earlier in the thread?

Nat

Dna

Tess32 wrote:

Thank you...

I actually got a response from Net Registry saying to fill out the form. I did, and they said it would take effect in 48 hours. So I will check tomorrow as it is currently still going towards NL.

However, am I right in thinking that I'm still going to need somewhere to host it? The whois right now has Net Logistic's DNS servers as hosting it (which they obviously aren't) and I guess as you only change the cname to smugmug, then you still need other name servers? I think someone said that earlier in the thread?

Nat

With Netregistry you have to change the DNS server to their own. (ns.au.com, from memory) then your cname will forward correctly. You will still need some hosting if you want email etc ...

Dna

Andy

Wow, this is all so complicated! Seems to me the other hosts (godaddy, 1and1, joker, register.com etc) are all soooo much easier to deal with.

If they continue to give you beefs about it, you can switch your domain name host.

Tess32

Well get this - I just got an email from Net Logistics (who never got back to me) not mentioning the issue, but telling me their terms of service have changed and to have a look. So I read it, and it now says they have no responsiblity in domain transfers!

If Net Registry continue to be difficult, would I be able to easily cancel the domain or transfer it somewhere else? This is just ridiculous!

Nat

Tess32

I FINALLY got my account back in my hands!

Now I'm confused again

Am I going to definitely need to host the domain somewhere OTHER than the registrar and smugmug? Do I need to purchase a cheap hosting plan?

Should I pay the $20 to get the ability to do url redirection etc, or should I just change to another registrar?

Appreciate the help,

Nat