google apps + godaddy domain + xepher.net

[griever]

I'm trying to get google apps set up for my site.  The domain is registered at godaddy and the nameservers point to xepher.  Now, the problem is that by doing so, I lose any ability to go into what they call "total dns" and change things like cname? and mx records. 

Google has an automatic set up for this, which worked, but I have to change the nameservers to the godaddy hosted ones or parked domain in order to see the "total dns" area.  In doing so, this messes up the domain-site relationship and causes a "does not exist" error.

Has anyone else had experience in setting up a google apps account?  Especially with godaddy?  Not quite sure on the whole nameservers thing.

[griever]

Someone answered my pathetic cries over in the Google help group.  Here's the solution for any other people who might be interested later on.

1) Change nameservers to GoDaddy ones.
2) Go into the "Total DNS" options and change the a record IP to that of the host.
3) Make sure the CNAME www record points to the a record.

[Xepher]

Right, but by doing that, you won't be using the xepher.net DNS server. I maintain entries on those to ensure that any changes to the server work across all the domains hosted here. Now it'll be up to you to maintain proper MX records and such whenever the server changes anything. Mostly that's only going to affect you if I have to switch to emergency backups or something... Your domain may stop working since the DNS records wouldn't be changed to the backup IPs.

Why does google apps need you to be messing with the DNS records anyway? The DNS here should've already had proper A records and CNAME for your domain.

[griever]

I think it's mostly GoDaddy...I don't get to access the MX records, which is what Google apps wants, unless I go back to using GoDaddy's nameservers.

I realize that this would be an imposition but would you be willing to add the necessary information to the MX records?  Or would this be bothersome or screw up the site?  The information is here...I'm not entirely sure what goes on because I ran the Google/Godaddy easy set up tool.  This was the other option presented to me in the help group but it seemed cumbersome.

[Xepher]

Heh, we have two threads going for this issue. As I just mentioned in the other thread, DNS is a multi-step process. Yes, technically I could change the MX records for your domain to point to google's mailserver instead o here. However, as I have to manage records for dozens of domains, I've written automated tools that routinely overwrite those settings. E.g. whenever someone changes their account settings, it'll rewrite all DNS records just to make sure things are clean. I'd have to reprogram several of the management scripts to allow for external MX records... and, no offense, but I'm just not wanting to put that kind of effort in.

As I mentioned on the other thread, there's no reason you shouldn't be able to get this working using godaddy's DNS (the catch is, you have to pay them for DNS service, but it sounds like you already signed up for that.) If I understand correctly, all you should need to do is point the MX record(s) at whatever mailservers google wants, and then point the A records for the domain (and the www., which is sometimes a CNAME) to the IP of xepher.net. No end-user should know any difference in how it's setup. The one exception (as I mentioned) is if/when the XN server moves (or switches to a backup in an emergency) your domain wouldn't be updated automatically. You'd just have to get in touch with me and get the new IP/info to set though, so still not a huge deal.

If you have trouble with this, point more info about what exactly your trying to do. That is, the instructions/DNS info google wants you to set, and what you already have set at godaddy. We (I) can help you figure it out most likely.

[griever]

My eyes are glazed over but I think understand things.  A little.  Mostly that I may have hit a brick wall with DNS stuff and I should back away slowly. 

I'm actually not paying them for DNS service...I looked for that but their menus are confusing.  Right now, I'm using their domain forwarding nameservers and doing the A record/XN IP thing, so the mail is up and working.  You have such little downtime that I'm not really worried!

Thanks for the help!