Domain Name to IP Address Redirection no Working Properly

November 11, 2013 6.6k views
sudhirkhanger
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sudhirkhanger
I have recently started using DigitalOcean. My domain/hosting is managed my Hostgator. I have installed WordPress/LEMP/CentOS6. I want mydomain.com to point to Droplet's IP. I can't change nameserver to avoid messing up email, so, yesterday I set A Record to Droplet's IP. It seems to work fine most of the time. But it has been hit and miss. From time to time domain name wouldn't take me to my WordPress install but something "Index of /" and a blank page with root of Hostgator's Apache server space. What is the proper way to setup my domain name to point to IP address here at the Digital Ocean?
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5 Answers
pablo November 11, 2013
"I can't change nameserver to avoid messing up email..."

Why is that? Couldn't you simply add your current MX records to the DigitalOcean DNS Manager?

"... so, yesterday I set A Record ..."

Remember that DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to fully propagate through the Internet.

"What is the proper way to setup my domain name to point to IP address here at the Digital Ocean?"

If you're going to keep your DNS records with Hostgator, you'll more likely find a solution (assuming there's even a problem -- again, it could be a simple propagation issue) from them; since they (probably) know their own DNS manager better than anyone here.

If you're open to switching, check out How To Set Up a Host Name with DigitalOcean.
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sudhirkhanger November 12, 2013
I could make the switch but I am new to DigitalOcean and it is not a full fledged domain manager.

Thanks for comment. I still have the problem, so, I will make a post it is resolved in Hostgator forums.
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sudhirkhanger November 12, 2013
BTW along with "Index of /" page I am also sometimes being redirected to 404 Page. I am not sure where to look for help here at the DO or at the Hostgator.

I want to make a few things clear before I seek further help.

I am suppose to set domain's A Record and not CNAME. Is that correct?

If I am managing my domain through Hostgotar, no settings are needed to be changed from DO's interface. And all I have to do in Hostgator panel is to set A Record. Is that correct?
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pablo November 13, 2013
Sounds like you're having all sorts of problems. BTW, why did you choose CentOS over Ubuntu? In light of the struggles you've had, perhaps you should reconsider. While both are comparable, in terms of quality, Ubuntu has a reputation of being more n00b friendly.
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sudhirkhanger November 15, 2013
I know my way around Linux but I haven't used CentOS. I don't prefer Debian or Ubuntu because one is like mountain which moves slowly and other modifies heavily downstream. I don't mind spending some time to learn.

CentOS is a clone of upstream and 6.4 is supported for 7 years. Once I am out of these initial snags I should be good for next 7 years.

Thanks for your help.
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