This article will guide you on how to configure private nameserver or branded nameserver. Private or branded nameservers allow a hosting provider, agency, reseller or business to use nameservers that reflect its own domain rather than relying on generic nameserver names. For example, a business could use nameservers such as
ns1.example.co.za and ns2.example.co.za.NOTE: Private or branded nameservers are only available to Reseller Hosting clients and cannot be configured for standard front-end hosting accounts.
Nameservers are an important part of the Domain Name System (DNS). They tell the internet where DNS information for a domain is managed and help direct visitors to the appropriate server. cPanel recommends using a naming convention such as
ns1.example.com and ns2.example.com.Private nameservers require more than simply changing the nameservers in WHM. The nameserver hostnames must generally be configured with appropriate IP addresses, and the nameservers must also be registered with the relevant domain registrar.
For a typical branded nameserver setup, you may use:
- ns1.example.co.za
- ns2.example.co.za
These nameservers need corresponding DNS records and must be properly registered so that the internet can identify them.
WHM provides the Basic WebHost Manager Setup interface for configuring the server’s default nameservers. cPanel also provides tools for configuring address records for the nameservers.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Steps to Configure Private or Branded Nameservers
1. Login to the Domains.co.za Customer Portal.
2. Open the Manage Services dropdown menu.
3. Choose Reseller Hosting from the available options.
4. Click Manage next to the relevant Reseller Hosting package.
5. Access WHM using the WHM login option available for your Reseller Hosting package.
6. Login to WHM using your authorised reseller account.
7. Open Server Configuration from the WHM navigation menu.
8. Select Basic WebHost Manager Setup.
9. Locate Nameservers near the bottom of the interface.
10. Enter your branded nameservers, such as ns1.example.co.za and ns2.example.co.za.
11. Save the changes to the WHM configuration.
12. Use Configure Address Records for the relevant nameserver where available.
13. Enter the appropriate IPv4 address for each nameserver.
14. Enter an IPv6 address if you intend to provide an AAAA record for the nameserver.
15. Configure the address records for each nameserver.
16. Login to the domain registrar where the branded nameserver domain is registered.
17. Register the private or branded nameservers with their corresponding IP addresses.
18. Update the relevant domains so that they use the new branded nameservers.
19. Allow time for the DNS changes to propagate across the internet.
cPanel recommends configuring the nameserver software, setting the default nameservers in Basic WebHost Manager Setup, creating the required address records and then registering the nameservers with the domain registrar.
Additional Information
- Private nameservers are sometimes called custom, branded or vanity nameservers
- A common naming convention is ns1.example.co.za and ns2.example.co.za, although other appropriate naming conventions can be used.
- Nameservers require appropriate DNS address records so that they can resolve to the correct server IP addresses.
- Registering a nameserver with the domain registrar is separate from configuring the nameserver in WHM.
- Changing nameservers can affect website, email and other DNS-dependent services, so DNS records should be reviewed before making changes.
- DNS changes can take time to propagate across the internet, and the exact timing can vary depending on DNS caching and TTL values.
- cPanel recommends using PowerDNS for most servers and uses it as the default nameserver software in current configurations.
- If you already use your registrar’s DNS services, you may not need to run nameserver services on the cPanel server.
- You should not enable nameserver services unless you intend to use them for DNS resolution on the server.
- Private nameservers are particularly useful for hosting providers and resellers that want their hosting services to use their own brand.
- Private or vanity nameservers are only available to Domains.co.za Reseller Hosting clients. They cannot be configured for standard front-end hosting clients or individual cPanel hosting accounts. Reseller-level branded nameservers are configured through WHM.
- If you are unsure which IP addresses, DNS records or registrar settings should be used, contact Domains.co.za Support before changing your nameserver configuration.
Login to Domains.co.za Account
1. Go to the Domains.co.za website Account Login page.
2. Enter your Email and Password and click the Sign In button.
3. You will see the Domains.co.za Dashboard, displaying the Manage Account menu on the left and your Account Information, Account Overview and Open Support Tickets on the right.
