jim wrote:Wow, thanks for the detailed responses! Really appreciate it. I understand your solution much better now, but I actually have a few more questions now.
It's my pleasure.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
jim wrote:Why use a subdomain? Just personal preference? I assume this solution works equally well with the root domain?
I use sub-domain to save money and also "easy switch".
Let's say I order a DirectAdmin account for: host-1.example.com
Since Hostmantis allows unlimited domain (known as add-on domain), then:
- I just put "Under Construction" for host-1.example.com since this sub-domain only acts as account holder.
- I create add-on domain for: voltage.example.com
- If in the future I need another function or purpose, I just create: new-sub-domain.example.com
This made me just only pay one hosting account.
If in the future I need to move voltage.example.com into another server, then I just move that sub-domain and the other sub-domains stay still.
jim wrote:Do web/dns hosting providers limit you on the number of email subdomains you can have?
I'm not sure about other hosting providers, since I use Hostens and Hostmantis, then they allow unlimited email forwarders. For add-on domain, on Hostens it is depend on your plan, since I'm on S10 plan, it only allows 10 add-on domain name. Hostmantis allows unlimited.
Please do not confuse the terms of "add-on domain", it is not means root domain only, but consider it as "full function".
Example: DirectAdmin does not supports email for sub-domain, so you need to add the sub-domain as "add-on domain", so your sub-domain can have email function.
Please be advised that hosting provider usually limit the outgoing email amount, the emails that send or deliver to external address. But for incoming email amount, usually you get unlimited. So the "real-email" better to be placed on the same server with your email forwarders (Same sub-domain or different sub-domain is okay as long as located on the same server).
jim wrote:Why/what A record do you need to use a subdomain?
For A and MX records, it is depend on your IP address.
Let's say your account have IP: 123.123.123.123
Then at your root domain, you setup:
voltage A 123.123.123.123
voltage MX 10 voltage.example.com.
It means web traffic of voltage.example.com will go to 123.123.123.123
And email for
*@voltage.example.com handled by voltage.example.com (The same server as your web traffic).
jim wrote:I understand your web hosting provider is also an email provider? Is this common for web hosting providers to also provide email hosting services?
For shared hosting account, you get web, email, file and database hosting at the same server.
jim wrote:Is common for web hosting provider to also provide DNS hosting?
Putting web hosting and DNS on the same provider, it is depend on you. For redudancy, you can use Cloudflare as DNS Hosting and Web at your web hosting provider. But you need to keep up on the news from your web hosting provider in case they change their IP, yes it is seldom, even most of the time the IP never changes. I got account that almost 10 years without any single change of IP address.
jim wrote:Cpanel and DirectAdmin are web host management tools that any hosting provider can use (i.e. they're not tied to a single company)?
Cpanel and DirectAdmin acts as graphical web host management tools, you can create email, add database, etc. There are also Plesk, ISP Manager, etc. But Cpanel and DirectAdmin are the most commons.
If you feel Hostens not good enough, then you can switch to another provider. Just look for Cpanel hosting provider.
If you think Hostmantis is not good, just switch to another DirectAdmin hosting provider.
Just inform your new hosting provider with your old account and they will do the migration for you, but on very rare case, the web hosting provider ask you to migrate by yourself. If this is the case, in my opinion, better look for another new one.
Actually migration between Cpanel to DirectAdmin or vice versa is easy too. Your new hosting provider should able to do it for you.
This helps a lot if you need to switch to better provider in the future.
jim wrote:Why do you use two? For example to pull off your solution I could use either Hostens.com or Hostmantis.com?
I also use Hostens since Cpanel have "Track Delivery" function, so I can track if the email send out successfully. DirectAdmin do not have this function if you are Regular User. I need to be able to track outgoing emails to check some functions on external destination.
![Smile :)](./images/smilies/icon_smile.gif)
But I mainly uses the DirectAdmin at HostMantis as my temporary email solution, because it is easier for me.