Using Third Party Web Host and Email Providers
The following tutorial explains how our you can connect your domains to web host providers and email service providers.
We'll explore the following three common scenarios:
Scenario 1 - I want to use Hover for email and domain forwarding services.
Scenario 2 - I need my domain pointed at my web host provider. I don't use Hover email.
Scenario 3 - I want to use separate email and web host providers (this scenario is also useful for any tech gurus who want to set up their own DNS records / zone file configuration using the Hover Manage DNS service).
Please note that changes to your domain's name servers may take up to 48 hours to propagate.
Preparation - Do a Dig and Back Up Current Records
Before getting started, it is recommended for you to do a dig on your domain name and make a record of your existing DNS records. This will enable you to go back to your previous settings in case the changes you make cause problems with your existing websites or email services. Step by step instructions on how to do a dig are posted at this URL: http://about.hover.com/dig
Scenario 1 - I want to use Hover for email and domain forwarding services.
If you have parked domain names that you want redirected to an existing website, and you are using Hover's email services (or no email service), then you should point your domain name at Hover's name servers.
Changing your name servers to ns1.hover.com and ns2.hover.com will point you at Hover's DNS servers. Step by step instructions for changing your name servers are posted at this URL: http://about.hover.com/changeNS
You will also need use our default DNS records. Instructions for setting your DNS settings to the Hover defaults are posted here: http://about.hover.com/defaultzone
Scenario 2 - I need my domain pointed at my web host provider. I don't use Hover email.
If you already have web hosting and/or email services for your domain then you can change your name servers to point your domain at your web host provider. This applies if you are only using Hover for your domain registration and do not plan to use our email or URL forwarding services.
You will need to contact your web host provider to find out their name server addresses. Once you the name servers, they can be entered into your domain settings. This will point your domain at your web host. Step by step instructions for changing your domain's name servers are posted at this URL: http://about.hover.com/changeNS
Scenario 3 - I want to use separate email and web host providers.
Want to use Hover email but keep your existing web hosting services? Or, are you an advanced user and prefer to customize your domain's zone file? No problem! Hover's DNS management services provide you with complete control over your domain name.
You will need to point your domain name at Hover's name servers (ns1.hover.com and ns2.hover.com) in order to use your customized DNS records. Visit http://about.hover.com/changeNS if you need instructions on how to change your name servers.
Here are some other important pieces of information to note:
Hover's default A Record IP address: 64.99.80.30 (use this if you want to use Hover's domain forwarding services)
Hover's default Mail Exchange (MX) Record: mx.hover.com.cust.hostedemail.com (use this if you want to use Hover for your email)
Point Your Domain at a Web Hosting Provider
In the screenshot above, the Hover Manage DNS page is displayed with the default records. A detailed explanation of DNS records and how to edit them in Hover is posted in this tutorial: http://about.hover.com/editzonefile
The @ is the blank record for the root domain. In the example above, awesomelawncare.com is pointed at 64.99.80.30.
The * is a wild card record. In the example above, the wild card entry points www.awesomelawncare.com and <anythingelse>.awesomelawncare.com at 64.99.80.30.
These two A Records control where your domain is pointed for web hosting. Changing the 64.99.80.30 IP addresses to the IP address of your web host provider will point your domain name at your hosted website.
Point Your Domain at an Email Provider
The MX record specifies where email for this domain name should be delivered. If you are using a third party email hosting service, you will need to contact your email provider and ask them for their MX record(s). Their MX records need to be entered in place of Hover's MX record, mx.hover.com.cust.hostedemail.com.
You should also delete the "mail" CNAME record if you are going to use Hover's DNS services to point at a third party email provider.
In the example above, the MX records have been modified so that all incoming email for the domain name will be delivered to a mail service provided by "mailhost.com."
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Article Shortcut: http://about.hover.com/customhosts
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