Correct use of subdomains

[bhonda]

So we've just had a client register a new domain name, and set up a sub domain that will be pointing at our servers.

In my inbox I got an email informing me of what was set up. Basically, it is of the format:

www.something.domain.co.uk

Where their main website is at www.domain.co.uk

Erm...can that be right?

There are 3 reasons for questioning it. Firstly, I don't think it's right. Secondly, it doesn't resolve yet. Thirdly, it's not being set up by the most tech-savvy client in the world.

May be a really stupid question...maybe I'm just going a bit mad.

[edited by: bhonda at 2:09 pm (utc) on Sep 4, 2012]

[topr8]

to examplify what you've put

www.something.example.co.uk

this would be a technically correct sub sub domain if you like.

however normally you would want a sub domain to resolve to

something.example.co.uk

but they've added an extra depth eg

www.something.example.co.uk

i'd suggest this is not what they want

[bhonda]

i'd suggest this is not what they want

I agree.

Now I'm trying to second-guess what's gone on - whether that is the actual address set up, or whether it's just been communicated badly.

[topr8]

maybe a silly question ... but maybe as you said they have just miscommunicated to you ...

does something.example.co.uk resolve?

[bhonda]

Not a silly question - but I did try that as well. The same problem. What's odd is that it's not a 'server not found' error (or in fact a redirect to their main site, as they have with sub-domains that definitely do not exist), but rather a 500 Internal Error on their host.

[lucy24]

Good. Then the problem is between them and their host. Unless you've got formal authorization to act on their behalf, you couldn't do anything if you wanted to* ;) If it were a DNS issue you'd never even get that far.

But you need to look at the error logs for more information. Even at the generic shared-hosting level, error logs will generally tell you enough to diagnose the problem.


* Assuming for the sake of discussion it isn't one of those "What's a browser?" clients. If so, it will be faster to get authorization and do it yourself than to explain what to do.

[bhonda]

Well, mystery over. The address without www. at the start is now resolving to our servers.

I doubt I'll find out what changed, but everyone's happy campers now, so I'll just leave it be.

Glad I didn't have to get involved with their host - that always seems to drain hours and hours away.

[bwnbwn]

subs are never set up www they are subs not the root domain.