For AA^® Members, Groups, and Service Entities.
A place to exchange information, ideas, and opinions.

Basic Information on Domain Hosting

Name Server Settings

Beore we can host your domain, you'll need to point it at our provider's nameservers. Within your domain registration account, there will be a link or a button that says something like "Edit DNS," "Change DNS," or "Modify DNS." Go there and change the existing nameservers to the following:

ns1.primarydns.com

ns2.primarydns.com

Notiffy us once you've done that so that we can inform our provider to add your domain to their DNS.

It takes 24 to 72 hours for the new settings to "propagate" throughout the Internet.

Access to Your Virtual Server

Once we set up your virtual web server, you will have FTP and SSH access. (For security purposes, we disable Telnet access.) Many tasks can also be accomplished through the Site Administrator, which includes extensive documentation. Server access details will be included in your welcome email message.

Using Email

Full email services are included with hosting. However, please be aware that there is absolutely no spamming allowed. Sending unsolicited email to anyone is spamming. And, if you create email accounts, you will receive spam. For ways to protect yourself and your account holders, we suggest that you read some of the very good articles on the Internet regarding how spammers harvest email addresses. For example, never include an email address you want to keep on any public web page. Instead, use email aliases, which can be discarded if -- when -- the spammers harvest them. (The better solution if you need to allow people to contact you by email is to install an email contact form that hides your contact email address. However, don't use just any form; many have serious security holes.)

SpamAssassin will be activated for your server. Each email account holder can adjust the settings for this program through the User Administrator.

MailScanner/Clam Antivirus also runs on our servers. However, while these are very effective programs, anyone using email should also have a current, reputable antivirus program installed on his or her local computer. And check with the provider regularly for updates. Likewise, if you are a Windows user, check often for Windows security updates.

Each virtual server includes a web mail program. Those with email accounts can access mail from any computer connected to the internet. AOL users will have to use this interface rather than Outlook, Outlook Express, Eudora, etc. to send and receive mail from email accounts created for your domain. (Essentially, this is because AOL has closed off port 25 and offers no alternatives. Refer any complaints to AOL, not to us at OSO.)

By request, we can activate the Majordomo Mailing List Manager for your domain. However, if you have never used a mailing list manager, we strongly suggest that you do a little reading before attempting to create and use mailing lists.

About Passwords and Security

Hackers and crackers are everywhere these days. If you think they will not find your server and try to break in, you are wrong. Never use passwords for anything that are easily guessable -- or only three or four characters in length.

If you install third-party scripts (programs) on your server -- for example, discussion forums, calendars, links directories, and so on -- be certain to check with the provider regularly for updates, especially security updates. Hackers are constantly testing for security flaws, and they often find them.

Contact us for more information.