Domain Name Services (DNS)

Overview

Texas A&M Domain Name Services (DNS) is used to translate domain names into IP addresses. Technology Services provides DNS as part of a campus wide service for the university network.

Getting Started

Texas A&M DNS can provision the following:

• Hostname – An individual device or web page.
• Subdomain – A group of related devices or web pages for a college or department under our top level tamu.edu domain.
• Domain – Top level domains outside of tamu.edu. Can be domains under .net, .com. .org, etc.

Request

Texas A&M uses Infoblox to manage domain name assignments across campus. If you have Infoblox access you can request a hostname or subdomain. See additional request information below.

Service Details

Hostnames

The DNS service facilitates the resolution of hostnames to IP addresses across the Texas A&M University network.

Request a Hostname: If you have Infoblox access, request a hostname through Laserfiche. Approval from department head or higher-level IT, Vice President for IT (CIO) and the Division of Marketing and Communications is required.

Subdomains

Subdomains improve domain structure by expanding the namespace under tamu.edu. This makes it easier for departments to create and manage hosts. Once a subdomain is approved, the organization assumes responsibility for updating affected machine configurations and maintaining activity within the domain.

Request a Subdomain: If you have Infoblox access, request a subdomain through Laserfiche. Approval from department head or higher-level IT, Vice President for IT (CIO) and the Division of Marketing and Communications is required.

Features

• Department-managed namespace with granularity and control
• Ability to create and manage hosts within the subdomain
• Support for 3rd-level subdomains under departmental domains
• Permissions inheritance via Infoblox.

Guidelines

• A department head or senior IT staff member must approve subdomains.
• All hosts under an organization should transition into the subdomain promptly.
• Technology Services manages all DNS zones to avoid inverse namespace issues.
• Unused subdomains for over one year are candidates for removal after notification.
• 3rd level subdomains (e.g., lab.group.department.tamu.edu) are supported with inherited permissions.
• Departmental approvers should be kept current and submitted to Technology Services.
• Must follow Texas A&M DNS policy and subdomain naming conventions

Domains

Domains can be listed in the Texas A&M DNS and managed in Infoblox.

To request a Domain name, email infoblox@tamu.edu and include the following:

• Requested domain name
• Associated networks or hosts
• Infoblox management group
• Administrator contact information
• A signed and dated memo from your department head confirming alignment with the university mission and departmental responsibility

After approval, register the domain using name servers: ns1.tamu.edu, ns2.tamu.edu, ns3.tamu.edu. Allow 5 business days for processing after all documents are received.

Resources

• • University DNS Settings