I have a Linux server (Ubuntu 12.04) I'm using to learn as much as I can about server management. I've got as far as getting a full LAMP setup running, but have hit a dead end trying to get a domain name to point to my server.
I've set up a virtual host in an Apache .conf file, and set up the IP address in the hosts file with the domain name, and have pointed the A record to the IP address with no luck. I've also installed bind9, but thought I'd see if I'm going in the wrong direction rather than messing anything up with that.
What is the best way to get a domain name up and running - ideally in a way that would be production ready rather than a temporary setup
EDIT: Thanks for the tips - just to better inform the situation - I have a few spare domain names registered that I can use, and I'm renting a VPS to play with. Currently I have the DNS * and @ A record pointing to the IP, but the nameservers are with the registrar if that makes a difference?