Adding custom user DNS zone templates

[lbeachmike]

Hi there -

I am aware that we are currently able to edit the stock zone templates. However, is there yet a way to add new custom DNS zone templates? If not, is there an active feature request for this?

In my case, some users are using Postini spam filtering and thus require custom MX records. Currently, I need to set these up manually per domain. It is time-consuming and would be great if I could simply create a custom template for Postini users.

Thanks.

Mike

[cPanelDavidG]

You can edit the DNS Zone Templates via WHM. However, as far as putting some customers on one template and some on another template, we do not currently support that.

[lbeachmike]

You can edit the DNS Zone Templates via WHM. However, as far as putting some customers on one template and some on another template, we do not currently support that.

Thanks David.

Is there an open feature request?

Is there an unsupported way I can do this by making a copy of an existing directory or zone template file or something like that?

Thanks.

Mike

[cPanelDavidG]

Is there an open feature request?

This is a Feature Request Thread, so yes .

Is there an unsupported way I can do this by making a copy of an existing directory or zone template file or something like that?

To do it at account creation time, not that I'm aware of. Usually per-account modifications are done by editing the DNS records for zones associated with that account.

[lbeachmike]

This is a Feature Request Thread, so yes .

Is there an existing case # for it? I can't imagine I'm the first to suggest this ... am I?

To do it at account creation time, not that I'm aware of. Usually per-account modifications are done by editing the DNS records for zones associated with that account.

I'm not referring specifically to account creation time, but essentially being able to have different DNS zone templates in the way we have themes and styles.

Thus, if I upgrade a user to Postini spam filtering, rather than having to go an add four unique MX entries and delete the existing, I would simply change that client account to use my Postini DNS template which would already have all of the MX records properly pre-populated for me.

And yes, for a new account, it would make things easier as well.

I suppose this feature may not have mass appeal, because I don't think the masses are using third party spam filtering and thus I don't think that the majority of users require custom MX records as an option.

I suppose my easiest solution might simply be to script something to update the .db record directly.

Thanks.

Mike

[cPanelDavidG]

Is there an existing case # for it? I can't imagine I'm the first to suggest this ... am I?

I checked our internal cases related to DNS Templates and didn't find anything close. So, no, there is no existing case number for this. Also, this is the only feature request thread on this topic at the moment.

I'm not referring specifically to account creation time, but essentially being able to have different DNS zone templates in the way we have themes and styles.

Thus, if I upgrade a user to Postini spam filtering, rather than having to go an add four unique MX entries and delete the existing, I would simply change that client account to use my Postini DNS template which would already have all of the MX records properly pre-populated for me.

Thanks for the clarification.

[lbeachmike]

Can you perhaps point me toward the cpanel script used to update DNS from the existing template system so that I can perhaps copy it and hack it to have it do what I need as an independent script?

Thanks.

Mike

[madsere]

I'd like to +1 this.

There are already 3 templates available, it can't be rocket science to add a 4th.

If you could even tell us where the templates are stored I think it can't be that hard to create an extra template "by hand". We get more and more customers asking us to setup Gmail MX records. Like it or not, customers ask for it and we have to add the 5-6 MX records by hand every time. Not convenient.

[cPanelDavidG]

If you could even tell us where the templates are stored

Here you go: /var/cpanel/zonetemplates

[madsere]

Excellent, that's easy to edit.

Now how do I choose which template is used for a domain?

[cPanelDavidG]

Excellent, that's easy to edit.

Now how do I choose which template is used for a domain?

You can't choose a template, hence this feature request thread.

The existing templates are for different types of domains created (domains on a shared IP, domains on a dedicated IP etc. as noted in the zone template editor)

[madsere]

Bummer. I hope it will be added then. I can't imagine it would be very complicated to include a drop or tick box to choose a template for a domain.

[monarobase]

+1 for this feature request. I could also see this feature request allowing us to not give reseller rights to customers who want their own name servers using glue records.

[Kent Brockman]

+1 for this. It will be useful to me to point domains out to Blogger.

[dogbot]

I like to add myself to this request. As of now here is how and why I do this:

Why I need the ability to specify zone templates: Google apps

How I do it:
- I have a copy of the default "standard zone template"
- I have a modified "standard zone template" with Google settings (enclosed below)

I basically copy and paste using "Edit Zone Templates" in WHM (But I have decided to leave the google version as my default).

On new Accounts: if client will be using google apps (99% of my clients) I do nothing. Otherwise copy and past before creating the account. Then remember to Copy-paste to set back for next account.

Existing accounts: Say a client is forgoing google apps. Copy-paste my copy of the "default zone template" then in client's CP "Advanced DNS Zone Editor" and "Reset Zone File". Then remember to Copy-paste to set back for next account

IDEAL INTERFACE

Create as many zone templates as I wish

Assign Zone templates to packages.


BONUS

Zone template dropdown instead of reset in client's CP