Can i give my DNS number?

[vingsnetwork]

Hello,
One of my clients is unable to provide us with the domain control panel details, to host their website. we designed the website, and the client had already booked the domain with another company. Now this company will not transfer the domain nor give details for us to host the designed website. Instead they are asking us for the DNS number. Is it safe to give them the DNS number, what possible threats are there if i do so? The domain company says we can control the website after they include the DNS we provide on the domain name. Is there a way to use the same domain name, without transfering it from the present company safely? Please advice

 

[Ijack]

I'm not quite sure what you mean by DNS number, but if you mean the IP address of your DNS server or of the server hosting the website then there is no problem. That's how DNS works; without that information no-one would be able to access the web server.

 

[vingsnetwork]

I'm not quite sure what you mean by DNS number, but if you mean the IP address of your DNS server or of the server hosting the website then there is no problem. That's how DNS works; without that information no-one would be able to access the web server.

Yes I meant the IP, i want to know if it is safe to let that be handled by a thrid party, The client is adament he will not provide the domain booking details and to host the site he wants us to give him the IP. My worry is can he do anything damaging using the IP details we provide. Still even if we give, can we still control the site 100%. Thanks for your reply

 

[Ijack]

Everyone in the world will know the IP number of your server. It's what they need to know to reach your web site.

What the company is asking for is normal and is not a security risk. You are giving them no more access to your network than anyone else.

But, if you are hosting a server that is visible to the outside world you need to be absolutely sure that the security on that server and the rest of your network is A1. Preferably any externally facing servers will reside in a DMZ, isolated from the rest of your network.

I don't wish to be rude but, from the nature of your question, I wonder if you have the knowledge to do this. It may be safer to let a specialist hosting firm host the server. Alternatively, you would be well advised to pay a security expert to test and review your network. Even the best managed companies do this; just look at current news if you want to know the consequences of lax security.

 

[vingsnetwork]

Right i am no technical expert... I just manage an office am an admin. We have Reseller hosting pack and we have many other sites hosted in the same pack. That is why i am anxious to know if there is any risk.

 

[Pyroflea]

It's safe to let them have your IP, assuming your security is up to date. Hire a security specialist to make sure things are okay before you expose any computer to the web.

 

[audiovoodoo]

I'm reading this a little differently.

I think what they are asking for is the IP of the server you want them to change the DNS entry to point to. Think of it like this, you're client has a listing in the phone book, the company will change the listing to the new number, what they want / need is the phone number of the hosting provider you use, not the one for your office.

If you don't understand this then I strongly suggest asking a tech for assistance. Somebody must be maintaining the other sites?

 

[meuchel]

in a command prompt type
ping www.whatever.com

whatever being the name of one of your sites that already works properly.
the ip address you get as a response is the ip of the server you are hosting on.
that would most likely be the ip they want.

 

[randomizer]

Since the main question has already been answered - you need to provide the NS record(s) or A record for the web server - I thought I would ask something on a slightly different note. Who owns that domain? The company may not have legal rights to withhold access to the domain. It depends if they registered it under their own name or under their client's name. They can withhold access to the site if the contract they have with the client allows them to, but the domain may not actually be theirs to control.