Newbie Questions: DNS setup for pointing 2 servers to same domain

ron_jeremy

I bought a domain name (http://www.singletrackbc.com) using Godaddy, and quickly built a simple page using IM Creator. The page is also hosted with IM Creator using their free plan (for non profit organizations).

My Flarum install resides on a DO Ubuntu/Nginx droplet (http://159.203.32.129), and installed in the default root directory:

/usr/share/nginx/html

What DNS and/or Nginx settings do I need to look at so when I click the logo on the singletrackbc.com website the forum URL shows singletrackbc.com/forum instead of the DO Droplet IP address?

sijad

does Godaddy have a DNS manager? if so you can add a A record to point to 159.203.32.129
but keep in mind you can't point to subfolder using DNS manager so you need to use a subdomain instead (e.g. forum.singletrackbc.com)

ron_jeremy

sijad Hmmm, it looks like I'd have to pay for a subdomain, but will have to confirm this.

ron_jeremy

Ok, I did not have to pay for subdomain, and have set one up as forum.singletrackbc.com.

In my Godaddy DNS Zone File settings I have 2 A records:

Host | Points To

@ | 174.129.25.170 (the IM Creator hosted page)
forum | 159.203.32.129 (Flarum on DO droplet)

My Godaddy Domain Forwarding settings are as follows:

Forwarding Domain: Off

Forwarding Subdomain: 1 subdomain forwarded
Subdomain: forum
Forward To: http://159.203.32.129
Type: Forward only

When I try and go to the subdomain I get an error "This site can't be reached". Any idea where I've messed up? Wouldn't I have to make some changes to the Nginx server config?

datitisev

ron_jeremy To me, http://forum.singletrackbc.com doesn't work.
It redirects me to a search of the domain (my internet provider's search engine).

http://singletrackbc.com seems to also have problems, I don't know if it is just me.
For me, the only thing that appears is the image... just so you know.

sijad

the good news is forum.singletrackbc.com points to 159.203.23.129 now
not sure how did you config nginx, but you can try to change server_name to forum.singletrackbc.com in nginx config and try again
after did make sure it work also update url in flarum config.php to forum.singletrackbc.com

ron_jeremy

datitisev For me, the only thing that appears is the image... just so you know.

That's all that is up there, for now.

sijad not sure how did you config nginx, but you can try to change server_name to forum.singletrackbc.com in nginx config and try again
after did make sure it work also update url in flarum config.php to forum.singletrackbc.com

Thanks, I will look into that.

sijad

datitisev singletrackbc.com

yes but ping command shows forum.singletrackbc.com is pointing to 159.203.23.129 so DNS server works probably

ron_jeremy

Looks like the changes simply needed some time to propagate. I did not have to make any changes to any Flarum or Nginx files.

Thanks @sijad and @datitisev for your help.

datitisev

ron_jeremy It doesn't work.
See:

0
POST http://159.203.32.129/login

null

That is what I get when doing a request ?

You have to change the url field in config.php to either http://forum.singletrackbc.com or to '//' . $_SERVER['HTTP_HOST'],

Cleaner:

1) To forum url, only can perform any action via this url

`url` => 'http://forum.singletrackbc.com`

2) Can perform any action from any domain, not secure

`url` => '//' . $_SERVER['HTTP_HOST'],

meetdilip

A handy tool for such situations

https://www.whatsmydns.net/

ron_jeremy

datitisev You. Are. The. Man. Thanks very much!

datitisev

ron_jeremy I just know because I had exactly the same issue, but with CNAME records instead of A records ?
Glad you were able to solve it ?

EDIT: Just checked, it does work ?

Kakifrucht

Also you should probably disable domain forwarding in GoDaddy just to be sure, setting the A record is enough.

ron_jeremy

Kakifrucht Also you should probably disable domain forwarding in GoDaddy just to be sure, setting the A record is enough.

Can you elaborate, explaining why I should disable (sub)domain forwarding?

Kakifrucht

ron_jeremy because there is no need for it. This forwarding function is a custom go daddy feature that simply does a http redirect. It can be convenient in some cases, but it's not a DNS function. You already set the A record on the subdomain, that is sufficient.