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I have a VPS registered at strato.com and I want to connect it to a google apps package. Google apps needs to verify my ownership of the domain and wants me to add a specific TXT record to the DNS.

Unfortunately, this is not possible through strato config websites (only A and MX records are modifiable), so my question is: is it possible to add a TXT record on the VPS itself?

I'm not that experienced with DNS, so forgive me if it's rather stupid question. Server configuration:

  • Ubuntu 10.04
  • Plesk 10
  • BIND 9.7.0-P1

If you need more info, please ask. I know I could use the other verify-options with google apps (like adding a html page), but I think this option is the most elegant.

3 Answers 3

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The TXT record is a record directly on the DNS zone, so it needs to be managed there. There isn't a workaround to have it handled elsewhere.

So your two options are either A) see if strato has a way to allow you to modify your TXT record or B) use another DNS provider for DNS (e.g. dyndns.com) which does support modifying TXT records.

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  • In Plesk I can add a subscription for my domain name and edit it's DNS, but this has nothing to do with the 'real' DNS zone?
    – floorish
    May 18, 2011 at 14:02
  • Plesk would be setup to point to the real DNS zone. Plesk is working with your web server in one location, and your DNS zone in another location. So any edits performed with Plesk really are editing the DNS zone. May 18, 2011 at 14:08
  • Thanks so far, I really need to learn how to use Plesk... can't tell more than "it doesn't work" right now
    – floorish
    May 18, 2011 at 14:17
  • I haven't used Plesk really so I can't speak into their features, but are you saying that Plesk doesn't allow the TXT editing, or that Plesk does allow the TXT editing but it doesn't seem to do anything? Check out week 2 and week 3 of my Web Pro series. You may find it helpful on this topic: weblogs.asp.net/owscott/archive/tags/Web+Pro+Series/… May 18, 2011 at 14:52
  • Thanks for the link, I'll check it out. I can edit DNS records in Plesk (including TXT), but they don't do anything. If I change MX records at the strato config, they won't change in Plesk either (but show up in nslookup), so it seems they have no link with each other.
    – floorish
    May 18, 2011 at 15:37
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I would try to switch to a more, lets say complete, DNS provider and registrar.

If the only records you can add are A and MX, that means you cant even add SPF records. Witch will be a pain if you are using Google Apps (gmail).

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Another option for you to consider down the road is to transfer your domain to a better Registrar. Ie: GoDaddy, etc.

All of the major ones allow you to edit the DNS zone file which would give you the access to add additional records (TXT, MX, etc.) as needed.

You could also ask your host to create the records for you in the future if you choose to keep your domain & hosting at the same company.

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