http://Check-these.info/DomainSetup.html

Pointed(serviced) domain and subdomain setup

This page is mainly for PowWeb users

The easiest method

If you want the EasiestMethod to setup pointed/serviced domain, please use this script.

http://check-these.info/tools/dom_php.txt

It's easy and automatic.

Terminology used in this page

• Main domain = The primary domain associated with your package.

  Example: example.com

• Subdomain = Domain names with prefix.

  Example: sub1.example.com

• Pointed/serviced domains = Additional domain names associated with your package .

  At PowWeb, you can access the package and recieve mail using up to 3 pointed domain without any additional fee.

  Also, you can have up to 3 serviced domain if you need to send e-mails from PowWeb server with the domain name. And it costs one time fee of $20 US each.

Why do we want them?

You can use pointed(serviced) domain as an alias to the main domain.

ex. Main domain: example.com, Pointed domain: example.org

You can use Pointed/Serviced/Sub domain to create separate site within your package.

However, there are some limitations you should be aware:

• There will be one raw log for all sub and/or pointed domains.
• DOCUEMNT_ROOT is always the same as that of main domain (for Pointed/Serviced domains).
• Some scripts may behave badly, especially with 'Short URL', 'SE friendly URL' (Mambo, for example).
• Site construction/maintenance can get complicated, far beyond your capability.
• Manual setup isn't necessarily easy (other than EasySubdomain of PowWeb), especially for a novice or clueless/reckless person.

I recommend buying another package if you plan to use some applications that uses 'SE Friendly URL', 'Short URL', or any scripts that use RewriteRule.

You can use them as as alias to certain directory or file of the main domain.

Subdomain can be used for pointing an external site, too.

How to setup?

To associate another domain with your package:

• Register the domain name with PowWeb or with other registrer such as registerfly.

  Make sure that registration is complete before to proceed to the next step.

  You can confirm the registration using whois.

  whois interface pages: http://tool.tbonekkt.com/ , http://www.whois.sc/ , http://www.dnsstuff.com/

• If you didn't buy the domain with PowWeb, set to use DNS of PowWeb with the control interface of the registrer.

  Primary DNS: ns3.powweb.com

  Secondary DNS: ns2.powweb.com

You can use the DNS of registrer or someone else if you prefer so and if you know how to setup/maintain.

• Then, goto OPS -> package and use "add pointed domain" or "add serviced domain" button with the domain name (WITHOUT 'www').

  It may take upt to 72 hours to propagate.

  If you make mistake, you need to contact support for the correction.

  Also, you need to contact support for removal.

• Goto OPS -> Packages -> HTTP and confirm that it's setup and it goes to the main site.

• Check if the newly associated domain name is resolving to the correct IP address by now, using host, dig, ping, or other tools.

  http://tool.tbonekkt.com/ , http://www.dnsstuff.com/

It may take up to 72 hours. Be patient and continue to check time to time.

• If the name resolves, check if it goes to the main domain when you enter the URL in the address bar of your browser.

  ex. http://www.pointed.com

How to create separate site with them?

Subdomains

You have choice of two methods:

• PowWeb's EasySubdomain
• .htaccess method, just like Pointed/Serviced domain.

EasySubdomain is easier to handle, and the separation is better.

Also, there are less chance of script related problem.

But it can cause problem if you want to share the data with the main domain.

You can setup manually, following http://kb.powweb.com/ or automatically using SiteTools in OPS or DomainManager.

.htaccess method has many variations, each offering different setup with advantages/disadvantages.

You have more freedom in this method, but it also means you may need to make more effort to keep it under control.

Again, You can setup manually, following http://kb.powweb.com/ or automatically using DomainManager.

Pointed/Serviced domains

For Pointed/Serviced domains, there is no equivalent of EasySubdomain.

You have to choose one of .htaccess methods.

Once you decide the method, you can setup manually using WebFTP or SiteTools, or automatically using DomainManager or a script for Generic .htaccess method

Many people have suffered a lot by trying to set it up manually, as small misunderstanding and mistake can create very confusing situation.

I made automatic tools to prevent these situations, and recommend using them unless you really know what you are doing.

Note

RewriteRule used in the .htaccess method sub/pointed domain are rather delicate, and easily influenced by many seemingly inoffensive factors.

For example, any Redirct, ErrorDocument and some other directive can interact with RewriteRule and it can be difficult to trouble shoot.

Also, more and more people are using "SEO friendly" or "Short URL", and things may get really complicated.

Currently, there are not so many people who fully understand how RewriteRule works and willing to help out poor victim of hypes.

So, please prepared to suffer if you are thinking about using RewriteRule without knowing what you are doing.

It's likely that nobody will ever help you if you have badly done long list of RewriteRule, even if you are willing to pay a bit.

And I'm saying these from the experiences of assisting many many people and seeing the growing trend of abusive RewriteRule sets.

Well, I respect your will to suffer, though ...

Trouble shooting

If you ask questions about RewriteRule in one of Forums, please show entire .htaccess and that of all directories concerned without fail, as it's pointless to examin partial code, most of the time.

Please read the trouble shooting section of this page.

This page is http://Check-these.info/DomainSetup.html

My main site is hosted by PowWeb, one of the best low budget host !