Transfer domain to home server?

[phoanglong]

Is there any way that I can transfer domain to my home server. The problem is, right now I'm having a mail server some where on the internet, but it is about to due soon. And it is really expensive as well, so I want to setup my homeserver mail server. Can some one give me a guide please. Many thanks in advance.

[Irithori]

These are actually three issues:
A) Domain
If you want to change your provider, you need to initialize a domain transfer.
The exact method should be described on either the old and new provider's FAQ page.

Usually you ask your new provider to try and get your domain for you,
and write a email to the old one, saying:
"I, as administrative contact of domain X.Y, acknowledge the transfer of said domain to the new provider Z"

Different TLDs have different regulations, though.
For example: For a .com domain, you will have to request a AUTH code first,
which the new provider then can use.

B) DNS
The new provider will also host DNServers for you.
However, as you have mentioned home server, you may want to maintain these yourself?

If so:
You need at least two independent machines for DNS,
that both contain valid zoneinformations for your domain.
The machines need to have public IPs from a non-dynamic IP range (aka: no DSL or the like).
Also they should be as available and secure, as you would like them
aka: Some money, time and effort is needed to initialize and maintain this setup, although we are not talking rocket science here.

C) Mail
Additional to what was said about the DNS machines..
- public IP
- non-dynamic IP
- security
- maintenance
- redundancy
..you need to deal with spam, virii, abuse, etc which can be done by choosing and integrating well known mechanism and applications to your mail setup.

You need to decide, what you want/need:
A smtp server for a few accounts, mailboxes are just pop3?
Or rather a setup with virtual user backend, imap, webmail, etc?

Guides here are quite good:
HowtoForge - Linux Howtos and Tutorials

[phoanglong]

Hi there, thank you very much for your reply. But I just need an smtp server with a few accounts on it.

For DNS, by what you said, I think you mean that I need to have 2 machine with 2 different connection to it. And it must be not on DSL.

Hmm.. so it means that it is nearly impossible to have a home mail server

[elija]

Hostgator have a hatchling plan at $4.95 per month (£3.10 at time of writing) if you take it for three years. That will give you your mail server and loads of other stuff if you ever need it. You also get the benefit of very good support.

It's not impossible to have a home mail server; you don't need to run your own DNS servers, but it is best to have a static IP address. Given the hassle, it may be better to take out a basic hosting plan.