How to setup Route53 Record Sets for a static website on AWS S3

Forums › IT Pro and developers › How to setup Route53 Record Sets for a static website on AWS S3

Cerbera

8 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#231887 19-Mar-2018 10:20

Good morning all,

I'm attempting to setup a static website using AWS, however despite following the guides I'm having an absolute nightmare setting up Route53 such that the domain name links to the AWS bucket.

I've setup my bucket with the index.html home page and I've been able to test this by navigating to the url for the page.

When I try to setup Route53 to redirect my registered domain name to the AWS bucket I'm getting no joy:

ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED

Can anyone advise on the correct way to setup the CNAME and/or A records to achieve this?

Many thanks in advance!

1 | 2

BDFL - Memuneh
80652 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41042

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#1979634 19-Mar-2018 10:32

Shouldn't that be a CNAME record (www) instead of A record?

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

Cerbera

8 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#1979931 19-Mar-2018 15:54

I clearly do not have a clue what I'm doing! But I guess that's all part of learning...

I've changed the record set to a CNAME and will see how that gets on... I'll report back once it's had time to propagate.

Thanks for the help!

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
80652 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41042

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#1979932 19-Mar-2018 15:57

There's no "propagation" in DNS. What you have to do is wait for the TTL to expire - if you want to see what's going on try https://www.whatsmydns.net/ to check the records - entering the www domain there with A option should give you the final IP Address for that aws domain after the CNAME is resolved for your own domain.

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

Cerbera

8 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#1979968 19-Mar-2018 16:25

I'm wondering if the problem is that I tried to setup the site to work for www.ether.nz and ether.nz

I notice that when i type in www.ether.nz it redirects to ether.nz in the address bar.

Can you have it that either will work?

Either way do I need to setup a 2nd hosted zone for www.ether.nz? The current zone I have setup is for ether.nz and where it asks for the CNAME setup it requires a subdomain to be entered, so I typed in www.... not sure if this was the correct course of action?

Forgive my ignorance in this field, it's very new to me and I've read several guides but don't seem to be getting anywhere...

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
80652 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41042

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#1980078 19-Mar-2018 18:58

First, is the DNS problem solved then? Is it resolving correctly now?

Second, from a webserver standpoint www.ether.nz and ether.nz are different domains. What you have to do is to configure your webserver to treat both as one. You will also have to (for good Search Engine Optmisation) redirect using 301 from one to the other you chose to be your default (e.g. you will notice that geekzone.co.nz always redirects to the www version. Again, you will do this on your webserver.

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

itxtme

2102 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 557

#1980192 19-Mar-2018 22:23

Route53 and S3 have a setup guide for you. It gets rid of the need for redirects

https://docs.aws.amazon.com/Route53/latest/DeveloperGuide/RoutingToS3Bucket.html

AliExpress

Shop now on AliExpress (affiliate link).

Cerbera

8 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#1980350 20-Mar-2018 09:26

Thanks itxtme, that's the guide I followed originally.

It advised to use an A type record for directing to an S3 bucket, but seemingly no joy.

I followed the guide step by step and I don't get a result. I don't get why the setup has to be so complicated for a such a simple concept- so frustrating. Surely a simple wizard of what is your domain, do you want to direct to www. sub domain or not. Which bucket do you want to connect to? and bing here's your solution would work :(

I've deleted everything and will start again, no doubt to end up at the same place again, but I'll let you know how I get on.

itxtme

2102 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 557

#1980414 20-Mar-2018 10:42

Looking at your original screenshot the reason it is not working is that you used the www like freitasm said on your A record

So do the alias A record like below

Then do the CNAME redirecting straight to your domain ie. 'ether.nz'

Also as freitasm pointed out once setup you need to wait for ttl to allow the new settings to move out around the world. Your local cache can cause havoc with your sanity so I recommend using https://www.whatsmydns.net/#A/ether.nz

to check how "propigation" has gone. If your TTL is 300 then dont bother checking it for 5 minutes, and when I say it I mean the global tool. Once the majority of those are reading the location you expect, then you should test it on a new device that wont be affected by DNS caching like a cell phone, or someone elses. Also many people here can look at your setup once its done so leave them in situ and post back here. I can see right now like you said none are set up

Cerbera

8 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#1980439 20-Mar-2018 11:39

Thank you for the insight - and apologies for what was quite a petulant response in my previous message (having an annoying morning and vented).

I'm going very methodically through the process from scratch and will use your and freitasm's advice.

All of your advice is really appreciated - extremely good of you. I spend most of my time in reports and VBA, I try to help people when I can (mrexcel, etc) so I know what it takes to help, especially when dealing with a problem child like me!

Cerbera

8 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#1980510 20-Mar-2018 14:12

Hurrah!!!!!!

A huge thank you to you guys for helping out!!

I started from scratch and worked on the notion of just setting up the www.ether.nz sub domain at present and it works!!!!

I've learnt lots already that I didn't know (what TTL is, about record sets, etc) and I'm determined to learn more- I couldn't have got this far without your input.

I've now paid up my subscription in gratitude for your assistance!

I know it's not proper etiquette to add a question to an existing post, but it's a very brief one - I have to setup mail now -would you recommend using AWS work mail, or should I look elsewhere?

Thanks a million,

Cerbera

itxtme

2102 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 557

#1980526 20-Mar-2018 14:28

Glad to hear; Its still not looking pretty on a lookup, but I guess if its working, that will do!

Cant comment on AWS mail as personally I use Gsuite (Google). AWS never had this when I had business emails. A 25 day free trial, you haven't got a lot to lose, and its $1 cheaper per account per month. Office 365 is a good option too.

Apple TV

Stream your favourite shows now on Apple TV (affiliate link).

Cerbera

8 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#1980528 20-Mar-2018 14:37

Thanks itxtme, no doubt in 6 months' time I'll be looking back at what I've done shaking my head, but as you say, it works for now ;)

timmmay

20858 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 5350

Trusted

Lifetime subscriber

#1980529 20-Mar-2018 14:38

Google business email is very good, plus they have good documentation and good support for paying customers. Alternately I've used fastmail which is cheaper and works very well too.

I've never tried AWS workmail but I suspect it's probably a good service and very well documented.

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
80652 posts

Uber Geek
+1 received by user: 41042

Administrator

ID Verified

Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#1980568 20-Mar-2018 16:00

Good it is sorted! I don't use AWS but have been using Office 365 for years now.

Referral links: Quic Broadband (free setup code: R587125ERQ6VE) | Samsung | AliExpress | Wise | Sharesies

Support Geekzone by subscribing (browse ads-free), or making a one-off or recurring donation through PressPatron.

Cerbera

8 posts

Wannabe Geek
+1 received by user: 1

#1980612 20-Mar-2018 17:19

Thanks for the options - I'm going to give 365 a crack as I've got an E3 subscription but didn't realise a mail service was on offer.

cheers!

1 | 2