How do I set up a domain-like hostname on IRC?

Question

I own a domain name, and a virtual private server. On that server I've installed ZNC as a bouncer for my IRC connection, and when connected through it the hostname is just a random hash of letters and numbers, or the server's IP if I set -x on myself.

I know many BNC providers offer custom hosts for domains, but how would I use my own domain with my own bouncer? I've looked thoroughly and I can't seem to find an answer to this.

Solution

It's standard reverse DNS:

1. Choose a domain, or a subdomain, that you control. Let's say, example.com..

2. Point the domain to your server's IP address using a standard A or AAAA record.

   alex.example.com. A    192.0.2.1
                     AAAA 2001:db8::42
   

3. Configure the rDNS to resolve your IP address back to that domain. rDNS uses PTR records under the special in-addr.arpa. and ip6.arpa. domains, but usually you don't have to deal with them directly, as most VPS hosts will have a control panel option to change the rDNS for your server's addresses. For a home Internet connection, you would have to ask your ISP.

   1.2.0.192.in-addr.arpa. PTR alex.example.com.
   
   2.4.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.0.8.b.d.0.1.0.0.2.ip6.arpa. PTR alex.example.com
   

If you have recently connected to the IRC server, it will have cached the previous data – remember to wait until its cache expires.

Also remember that almost all IRC servers require forward and reverse DNS to be identical:

• alex.example.com. → 192.0.2.1
• 192.0.2.1 → alex.example.com.

Comments

[Alex]

I don't see an option to change my rDNS or PTR record in my VPS, but I can change the server's hostname. Would this be it?

[user1686]

It could be. Try changing it to your desired domain, then check using something like dig +trace -x <ipaddr> if the PTR record was updated.

[Jürgen Paul]

at the last sentence, how do I check that?

[user1686]

Using standard DNS lookup tools, one of which was named in the same sentence?