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Murphy - 30 Oct 2003 11:08 GMT

We currently have our SBS online via an ADSL connection with a dynamic IP
address.
We do not run a web site presently but are looking at doing so later, we do
however have a registered domain name and receive email to that domain name.
To facilitate this we use the services of a WebCentral at a cost of $60
AUD/mth. WebCentral store our email then periodically push it down to our
SBS.

I have recently been reading about dynamic dns etc and have a question:

Do I need to pay WebCentral $60 AUD/month or can I achieve the same outcome
via dynamic dns ?

Thanks

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Andrew H - 30 Oct 2003 12:13 GMT

> Do I need to pay WebCentral $60 AUD/month or can I achieve the same outcome
> via dynamic dns ?

Dynamic DNS gives you much more, e.g. VPN, OWA, etc. are possible (if
configured correctly), which normally is not the case if you don't have a
static IP address.

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Murphy - 30 Oct 2003 13:10 GMT

If I select a service that does not offer an email backup facility when my
server is down what happens to the emails sent to my domain when I am
offline ?

Any suggestions on a service that provides email backup ?

> > Do I need to pay WebCentral $60 AUD/month or can I achieve the same
> outcome
[quoted text clipped - 3 lines]
> configured correctly), which normally is not the case if you don't have a
> static IP address.

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Andrew H - 31 Oct 2003 11:56 GMT

The dynamic DNS providers I've dealt with (No-IP.com, dyndns.org,
dnsexit.com) all offer some sort of backup MX facility that will receive
mails if your server is down, and automatically send them on to you when
your server comes up again, or alternatively they will forward all mails for
your domain to a specified mailbox, from which you can use Exchange's POP3
connector to bring them down to your server for distribution.

Subject to correction, it's also my understanding of the nature of SMTP that
if your server is unavailable, even without a backup MX record the sender's
SMTP server (their own or hosted by their ISP) will retry many times over a
few days before deciding mail can't be delivered..

The dynamic DNS services also tend to cost less for these features than the
equivalent services from your typical ISP, and I would think you would find
enough positive referrals from this newsgroup (although there will always be
those who disagree, on any topic) that you shouldn't have too many concerns
about using one of these dynamic DNS services.

> If I select a service that does not offer an email backup facility when my
> server is down what happens to the emails sent to my domain when I am
[quoted text clipped - 9 lines]
> > configured correctly), which normally is not the case if you don't have a
> > static IP address.

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Murphy - 31 Oct 2003 20:32 GMT

Thanks Andrew,

Now just to clarify so i don't get it all screwed up.
I was looking at using ZoneEdit and runnig DirectUpdate on the server.
If SMTP will retry over a few days or so then this is all I need as the only
down time I can anticipate will be server restarts for maintenance. No need
to pay for a backup mail service then.

> The dynamic DNS providers I've dealt with (No-IP.com, dyndns.org,
> dnsexit.com) all offer some sort of backup MX facility that will receive
[quoted text clipped - 28 lines]
> a
> > > static IP address.

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Ross - 30 Oct 2003 12:29 GMT

Ditch web central and have a look at no-ip.com. There are
many others out there that allow redirection but no-ip is
what i used for ages and its uptime is great. I would
howevery reconsider hosting your own web server on the sbs
box.

cheers

>-----Original Message-----
>We currently have our SBS online via an ADSL connection with a dynamic IP
[quoted text clipped - 13 lines]
>
>.

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Mark Mancini - 30 Oct 2003 15:32 GMT

Murphy,
Do you want to get ALL of your emails?!!? Then do not listen to these
people dynamic IP solutions! You are right to use a host and pop out to it
and that is a VERY reliable way to go and all of my clients do it and NEVER
miss an email. These clients are well known companies and not mom/pops that
think dyndhs is a good idea. Now $60/month seems kind of high but you need
reliability. Dellhost is reliable and their price reflect. My hosting is
just as reliable and in line with their pricing but I offer a lot more
features with CPanel. I'm not here hawking my hosting and I know I am not
the cheapest but reliable hosting isn't and that is why Dell charges what
they do.
I think you are doing the right thing but may want to look at better
pricing.

Signature

Sincerely,
Mark Mancini, CCA, CCNA, Master CIW&CI, CNE 4&5, MCSE+I 4&2000
www.MCSE2000.com
www.AppLauncher.com

> We currently have our SBS online via an ADSL connection with a dynamic IP
> address.
[quoted text clipped - 10 lines]
>
> Thanks

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SuperGumby - 30 Oct 2003 22:10 GMT

Hi Mark,

ever heard of ZoneEdit (www.zoneedit.com)? They'll host the DNS (for
free) and supply backup mail services for a small fee. A small utility known
as DirectUpdate, running as a service on the SBS, will update the zone
information when the IP changes and by utilising the secondary MX services
no mail gets lost. Total yearly cost about US$20.

I do however suggest that hosting a public site on SBS is to be avoided,
simply because it requires constant security supervision.

I'm interested in who the ADSL provider is. If it's BigPond, buy out
your contract and go with a real provider. Many Aussie ADSL providers will
host your website and DNS for about AU$10/mth on top of your ADSL fees and
throw in a secondary MX for free. OH, and give you a static IP.

> Murphy,
> Do you want to get ALL of your emails?!!? Then do not listen to these
[quoted text clipped - 27 lines]
> >
> > Thanks

Reply to this Message

Murphy - 30 Oct 2003 23:56 GMT

Yes it is BigPond, just signed up for an 18 month contract...

> Hi Mark,
>
[quoted text clipped - 49 lines]
> > >
> > > Thanks

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Craig Iedema - 31 Oct 2003 00:36 GMT

I would have to agree with SG. Give BP the flick and go with an ADSL
provider who gives you a static IP, DNS and backup MX or stay with
WebCentral. Whilst the Web Central Guys a quite dear their servers are rock
solid.

Craig

> Yes it is BigPond, just signed up for an 18 month contract...
>
[quoted text clipped - 60 lines]
> > > >
> > > > Thanks

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