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Simplelists, DNS and domains


This document attempts to outline the different options available to users when buying a Simplelists multiple list. It is presented in an FAQ style, and starts with some explanation questions before going onto practical details and options.

What is DNS?

DNS (Domain Name System) is effectively an address system for the internet. It translates easy to remember domain names into the numbers that identify a computer. All computers on the internet have an IP address, but in order to make things easier to remember, domain names provide an alternative to using the IP address, which is just a number. For example, the IP address of the Simplelists web server is 89.16.176.81, which can be typed into the address bar of your browser, but it is much easier for you to remember www.simplelists.com which is translated to 89.16.176.81 by DNS.

What is DNS hosting?

DNS hosting is the ability to have a domain name pointing to an IP address. If you own a domain name, then in order for it to be useful, it must point to a computer's IP address. A company that provides DNS hosting for your domain, provides the IP address that your domain uses to the rest of the computers on the internet. So when you type 'www.simplelists.com' into your web browser, your computer looks up our IP address in the computer that provides our DNS hosting.

Why might I want Simplelists to host my DNS?

Purely so that we can configure your domain how it needs to be configured to use Simplelists. Although most companies that provide domains also provide the DNS hosting for the domains, some will be unsure how to configure correctly, and some will charge to do so. Moving your DNS hosting to Simplelists is entirely optional, but may cost you less and get things done faster.

Are there any problems with Simplelists hosting my DNS?

We can setup your domain exactly how it was setup before, but with the required additional information. However, some companies may stop hosting any services you have with them once you move your DNS - you should check with your host first.

I have a multiple list, what are the options?

Below are various options for using a multiple list with Simplelists. If any do not make sense, or you need further advice, please contact us.

1. yourlists@yourname.simplelists.com

For a multiple list, this option is the easiest and fastest to setup. There is no need to own or buy a domain name if you do not have one, or to use an existing one you own.

You choose a sub domain of the simplelists.com domain name to have your lists hosted at, and all your list names end with that sub domain. For example you may choose johns-cars.simplelists.com as your sub domain. In this case your lists could then be ford@johns-cars.simplelists.com, bmw@johns-cars.simplelists.com and so on.

To use this option, select 'No' when asked whether you would like to use your own domain name when signing up for a multiple list.

Advantages: Easy and simple to set up
Disadvantages: All list names end with 'simplelists.com'

2. yourlists@yourdomain.com (Simplelists hosts DNS)

This option uses your own domain name. All your lists end with your domain. For example, your domain may be johns-cars.com. Your list addresses could then be ford@johns-cars.com, bmw@johns-cars.com and so on.

With this option, Simplelists hosts your DNS. You should contact your domain registrar (the company you registered your domain with) and ask them to change the DNS servers for your domain to ours (ns1.simplelists.com and ns2.simplelists.com).

This option hands over the control of your domain to Simplelists, so if you have other services on your domain such as a website, or existing email, then these need to be notified to us when transferring DNS hosting to us. In the case of a website, we need to know the IP address for the website (we can help you find this), or in the case of email, addresses can be diverted to other email addresses through your list control panel. For example you could divert sales@johns-cars.com to johns-cars@hotmail.com.

If you already have other email on your account that is more than purely for forwarding (such as built in web mail for the domain) then this will no longer function, and you will need to consider a different option (such as option 4).

To select this option when signing up, select 'yes' to 'would you like to use your own domain name', and select 'yes' to whether you would like us to host your DNS.

Advantages: Uses your own domain for list names
Disadvantages: Any existing email functionality at your domain will no longer work

3. yourlists@yourdomain.com (Simplelists does not host DNS)

This option is the same as the above option, but Simplelists does not host your DNS, and it stays being hosted with current provider. You then need to contact your current provider (usually your domain registrar) and ask them to divert mail for your domain to Simplelists (server names are mx1.simplelists.com and mx2.simplelists.com).

This keeps your existing configuration, but all your email goes to Simplelists. As with the above option, you can divert email to other accounts, but your existing email configuration will no longer work.

To select this option when signing up, select 'yes' to 'would you like to use your own domain name', but select 'No' to whether you would like us to host your DNS.

Your domain host will need to set up MX entries for your domain as follows:

Primary: mx1.simplelists.com
Secondary: mx2.simplelists.com

Advantages: Uses your own domain for list names
Disadvantages: Any existing functionality at your domain will no longer work

4. yourlists@lists.yourdomain.com (Simplelists may possibly host DNS)

Recommended option.
This keeps your existing setup (email, web and anything else), but enables you to use your own domain. All lists are addressed @lists.yourdomain.com, for example ford@lists.johns-cars.com or bmw@lists.johns-cars.com (where 'lists' is whatever you choose).

To use this option, your DNS host (normally your domain registrar), must add an additional 'mx' entry to your DNS. They must add mx entries for the sub domain you choose, to send mail for that sub domain (for example 'lists') to mx1.simplelists.com and mx2.simplelists.com. If this makes no sense to you, it should make some sense to your administrator.

If there is a problem adding these entries to your domain, then you can choose to host your DNS with Simplelists to similar effect. We can then mirror your current setup, and add the additional entries needed.

To select this option when signing up, select 'yes' to 'would you like to use your own domain name', and when asked for the domain name enter lists.yourdomain.com. Choose the answer for whether you like us to host your DNS appropriately.

If your domain host is hosting your DNS, they will need to set up MX entries for your chosen subdomain as follows:

Primary: mx1.simplelists.com
Secondary: mx2.simplelists.com

Advantages: Uses your own domain for list names without affecting existing email functionality
Disadvantages: Not all domain hosts support the required functionality