System (local) domain name best practices?

sofakng

What's the best practice for configuring the pfSense host and domain name? Can I include a subdomain in my domain name setting?

For example, if I own the public domain "example.com", I'd like to use an unused/fake subdomain ("home") for my home network with pfSense.

Therefore, my system domain-name would be "home.example.com" and my host name would be "router" so the FQDN would be "router.home.example.com" and my other clients would be "client-one.home.example.com".

Is this a best practice or are there any other ideas?

Thanks!

MikeV7896

@sofakng:

For example, if I own the public domain "example.com", I'd like to use an unused/fake subdomain ("home") for my home network with pfSense.

Therefore, my system domain-name would be "home.example.com" and my host name would be "router" so the FQDN would be "router.home.example.com" and my other clients would be "client-one.home.example.com".

I do this exact setup with my domain name (though different hostnames). Some people might just make the domain "home" or "local"… it doesn't need to be a real domain, but there's no harm in using a real domain.

GomezAddams

If you own "example.com" you can certain use whatever subdomains however you like.

If not using a real domain name for a home or interior AD domain, I like ".loc". I can't recall the details, but ".local" is used for something else (Bonjour? mDNS?)

sofakng

Yeah, Bonjour/mDNS uses the TLD .local so that definitely can't be used.

jahonix

@sofakng:

"home.example.com" … Is this a best practice

Absolutely, yes.

@sofakng:

Bonjour/mDNS uses the TLD .local so that definitely can't be used.

That's a bit too harsh. It can be used but should be avoided.
You have a much better option in your proposed setup anyways.

sofakng

Thanks so much!