Custom Domains: Difference between revisions

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You can now specify your own custom Domain Name for your Volt app. Your app can have a friendly URL such as
You can now specify your own custom Domain Name for your VoltServer app. Your app can have a friendly URL such as
<pre>https://myapp.mycompany.com
<pre>https://myapp.mycompany.com</pre>
-- or even --
or even
mygreatapp.com
<pre>mygreatapp.com</pre>
</pre>
instead of the name VoltServer assigns it. You'll need a VoltServer subscription to do this.
instead of the name Volt assigns it. You'll need a Volt membership to do this.


Notice the "https"? It even takes care of making sure there is a certificate in place, so your site is secure. The app is still served from the Volt server, so all the files and MIME types are in the right place.
Notice the "https"? It even takes care of making sure there is a certificate in place, so your site is secure. The app is still served from VoltServer, so all the files and MIME types are in the right place.


Here's how to set this up.
Here's how to set this up.
<!--more-->


=== Set up your DNS service ===
This will differ depending on who you are using for DNS. Add this to the domain you want to use in the URL: "mycompany.com" in the above example.


1. <strong>Set up your DNS service</strong>. This will differ depending on who you are using for DNS. Add this to the domain you want to use in the URL - "mycompany.com" in the above example.  
You will need to set up an 'A' (for 'Apex') record if you want the domain to point directly to your app. Example: https://mygreatapp.com. The numerical IP address to use (if needed) is 45.79.167.164.


You will need to set up an 'A' (for 'Apex') record if you want the domain to point directly to your app. Example: https://mycompany.com. The numerical IP address to use (if needed) is 45.79.167.164.
Otherwise, you will need to set up a CNAME record if you have a subdomain pointing to your app. Example: https://myapp.mycompany.com.  


Otherwise, you will need to set up a CNAME record if you have a subdomain pointing to your app. Example: https://myapp.mycompany.com.  
Here's how it looks on EasyDNS, the DNS provider we use:
[[File:Easydns.png|center]]


Here's how it looks on EasyDNS, the DNS provider NS BASIC uses:
<a href="http://blog.nsbasic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Screen-Shot-2017-05-07-at-11.59.32-AM.png"><img src="http://blog.nsbasic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Screen-Shot-2017-05-07-at-11.59.32-AM.png" alt="" width="805" height="123" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3046" /></a>
This specifies the hostname will be myvoltapp.nsbasic.com, which points to volt.live. The following period (".") is important.
This specifies the hostname will be myvoltapp.nsbasic.com, which points to volt.live. The following period (".") is important.


It will look different on your DNS provider. If you have difficulties figuring out what to do, check with your provider. It usually takes a few minutes for the change to update through the web.
It will look different on your DNS provider. If you have difficulties figuring out what to do, check with your provider. It usually takes a few minutes for the change to update through the web.


2. <strong>Tell the Dashboard about the new Domain</strong>. There's a new button in the Actions section of App page in the Dashboard:
=== Tell the Dashboard about the new Domain ===
<a href="http://blog.nsbasic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Screen-Shot-2017-05-07-at-2.14.12-PM.png"><img src="http://blog.nsbasic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Screen-Shot-2017-05-07-at-2.14.12-PM.png" alt="" width="538" height="112" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3050" /></a>
 
Use the Domain button in the Actions section of App page in the Dashboard:
[[File:Dashboarddomainbutton.png|center]]


Select the Add Domain button. It will add a line to the list of Domains. Enter the name you set in to the CNAME record:
Select the Add Domain button. It will add a line to the list of Domains. Enter the name you set in to the CNAME record:
<a href="http://blog.nsbasic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Screen-Shot-2017-05-07-at-2.21.15-PM.png"><img src="http://blog.nsbasic.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/Screen-Shot-2017-05-07-at-2.21.15-PM.png" alt="" width="629" height="95" class="alignnone size-full wp-image-3048" /></a>
[[File:Dashboarddomain.png|center]]
 
=== The Dashboard will take care of the rest ===
 
You can now type "https://myvoltapp.nsbasic.com" (or whatever you defined) and your app will open. Your users won't notice you are running on VoltServer.
 
=== Appendix: Screen shots from other DNS Providers ===
 
These screen shots will give you some idea of how you need to set up your DNS settings. Have setting from your own provider? Send them along. We will add them to this document!
 
==== GoDaddy with an A domain ====
 
<i>It is fastest to start from the menu that one gets when one clicks in the upper right corner on one's account name.</i> -- John


3. <strong>The Dashboard will take care of the rest</strong>. You can now type "https://myvoltapp.nsbasic.com" (or whatever you defined) and your app will open. Your users won't notice you are running on Volt.
[[File:Halloran1.png|center|800px]]


<strong>Notes</strong>
==== GoDaddy with a CNAME domain ====


Right now, you can only have one Custom Domain name. We will be increasing that. One of them needs to be designated as your main (or "canonical") domain.
<i>Put the name of your app on VoltServer into the Points to field.</i> -- Jon


The site you use in step 1 needs to have an SSL certificate. Dashboard creates a secure link. The site it links to therefore also has to be secure. You can get free certificates at <a href="https://letsencrypt.org/">https://letsencrypt.org/</a>.
[[File:CustomDomainGoDaddyCNAME.png|center|800px]]

Latest revision as of 15:14, 25 February 2021

You can now specify your own custom Domain Name for your VoltServer app. Your app can have a friendly URL such as 

https://myapp.mycompany.com

or even 

mygreatapp.com

instead of the name VoltServer assigns it. You'll need a VoltServer subscription to do this.

Notice the "https"? It even takes care of making sure there is a certificate in place, so your site is secure. The app is still served from VoltServer, so all the files and MIME types are in the right place.

Here's how to set this up.

Set up your DNS service

This will differ depending on who you are using for DNS. Add this to the domain you want to use in the URL: "mycompany.com" in the above example.

You will need to set up an 'A' (for 'Apex') record if you want the domain to point directly to your app. Example: https://mygreatapp.com. The numerical IP address to use (if needed) is 45.79.167.164.

Otherwise, you will need to set up a CNAME record if you have a subdomain pointing to your app. Example: https://myapp.mycompany.com.

Here's how it looks on EasyDNS, the DNS provider we use:

This specifies the hostname will be myvoltapp.nsbasic.com, which points to volt.live. The following period (".") is important.

It will look different on your DNS provider. If you have difficulties figuring out what to do, check with your provider. It usually takes a few minutes for the change to update through the web.

Tell the Dashboard about the new Domain

Use the Domain button in the Actions section of App page in the Dashboard:

Select the Add Domain button. It will add a line to the list of Domains. Enter the name you set in to the CNAME record:

The Dashboard will take care of the rest

You can now type "https://myvoltapp.nsbasic.com" (or whatever you defined) and your app will open. Your users won't notice you are running on VoltServer.

Appendix: Screen shots from other DNS Providers

These screen shots will give you some idea of how you need to set up your DNS settings. Have setting from your own provider? Send them along. We will add them to this document!

GoDaddy with an A domain

It is fastest to start from the menu that one gets when one clicks in the upper right corner on one's account name. -- John

GoDaddy with a CNAME domain

Put the name of your app on VoltServer into the Points to field. -- Jon

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