URL Tricks

[Anon]

I'd like to let users access their profile on my site from a subdomain of my site.

I know this can be done without creating a bunch of DNS records, with PHP.

How do I know? I've seen sites do it. DeviantArt.com, for example. And more specifically, isgay.com.

It'll take a.name.isgay.com and tell them their gay, funny--hah. Anyways, how would I set this up?

[synthetic]

could you use the exec() command to execute a script or sumthing that would add the subdomain. Just pass in the sub domain name and any var's?

[Anon]

I really can't add subdomains, for one I don't have access and two it wouldn't be practical.

I know you don't have to because that site, isgay.com does it automatically, with PHP.

[brandonschnell]

you don't need to add subdomains. its an easy DNS trick done using BIND.

in your named files add:
*.yourdomain.com. A <web server ip address>

as root run:
ndc reload;

now download the php source from the isgay.com web site and make it your index.php file and everything should work. simple. took me a couple of minutes to setup on my site as a test.

[Anon]

Note that using a wildcard in the DNS like that will likely play havoc with your email.

adam

[Anon]

Isn't that method against some RFC ?

[brandonschnell]

likely so. but BIND seems to support it. it'll cause problems for anyone on the system as DNS address that can't be resolved will be sent to the web server ip address. for example if i were to type in www.somefakesitethatdoesntexist.com netscape would send me to www.somefakesitethatdoesntexist.com.yourdomain.com which would be the same ip as www.yourdomain.com