Most users prefer to utilize a domain name they already possess, typically the same one serving as the hostname for the server that will host the private nameservers.
For this illustration, we will use a fictitious domain named yourdomain.com. Our server is designated as host.yourdomain.com, and we will set up ns1.yourdomain.com and ns2.yourdomain.com.
There are three components to establishing your private nameservers: configuring the server to accept and process DNS requests, registering your new nameservers with the registrar managing the domain name, and finally directing domains to those newly established nameservers.
This article will provide guidance on creating private nameservers for a Linux server.
For a Linux server with cPanel installed:
1. Access your WHM via the URL: yourserverIPaddress/whm and locate the navigation section on the left labeled Basic cPanel & WHM Setup. At the bottom, you will find the Nameservers section.
2. Upon initially loading this screen, you may notice that two nameservers using the same domain name as the server’s hostname are already configured. You can modify the hostname and associate it with the IP address for the nameserver.
3. Enter the new nameserver, such as ns1.yourdomainname.com, and assign the corresponding IP address. Ensure you configure at least two nameserver names by repeating this step for the second nameserver.
4. After assigning the IP addresses, make sure to click Save Changes (3).
5. If the domain name (for instance, yourdomainname.com) has not yet been added in WHM, you may need to create a new cPanel account or add the DNS zone for yourdomainname.com to enable DNS for that domain.
6. To add the DNS in WHM, navigate to DNS Functions and click on Add a DNS Zone.
7. Input yourdomainname.com and associate it with your server IP, then click on Add Zone.
8. Once the DNS zone is successfully added, go to Edit DNS Zone, select yourdomainname.com from the list, and add the following A records for your nameservers under Add New Entries:
ns1: A record : your nameserver IP address
ns2: A record : your nameserver IP address
9. Click on Save to apply the settings.
Note: If the domain name, such as yourdomain.com, is using third-party DNS (meaning it is not hosted with Exabytes), you will need to update the A records for ns1.yourdomain.com and ns2.yourdomain.com to your server's IP addresses assigned in step 3 at the currently hosted DNS zone.
To utilize the private nameserver, refer to the following on How to Register Nameservers and Update Nameservers:
https://support.exabytes.com/kb/a4109/how-to-register-and-update-nameserver.aspx