Step 1 of 3 of setting up private name servers,
Step 1: Register Your Name Servers at your Registrar
What are private name servers?
Private name servers would be ns1.yourdomain.com and ns2.yourdomain.com, instead of nameservers with a HostGator domain.
What are my private name servers IP's?
For ns1.yourdomain.com, the IP is listed in your welcome email.
(Example, Server IP: 123.123.123.123)
For ns2.yourdomain.com, the IP is listed in your welcome email.
(e.g. 123.123.123.124.)
If you have shared web hosting (Hatchling, Baby, Business), this means you cannot use private nameservers.
If you have reseller, SEO, VPS, or Dedicated, you should have those IP's listed in your welcome email. If not, simply contact HostGator so we can provide you with the correct IP's.
How do I go about getting my private name servers setup?
You will now need to create the name servers at the place you registered your domain from. Every registrar has a different process for creating private name servers. If you purchased your domain from one of the below registrars click on their name for a step by step walk through. If they aren't listed below continue reading....
Domain is registered with HostGator:
HostGator uses two registrars, LaunchPad and HostGator/eNom. If you registered your domain with HostGator, then it will be with one of these two registrars.
Click on the appropriate link below for instructions on how to register private name servers:
- HostGator/eNom (aka Registry Rocket)
- LaunchPad
If you are not sure which registrar you are with, the following article may help:
How do I know if my domain is registered with LaunchPad or HostGator/eNom?
You can also contact customer support and we can check for you.
Domain is registered with another registrar:
Try and look for something along the lines of "register DNS" "create DNS" or "add DNS" from within your account with your registrar. The only way to create Name Servers is by using the IP addresses we assigned to your ns1 and ns2.yourdomain.com If there isn't a field asking for the IP you are not at the right place.
Private Name Server Notes
Changing your domain's DNS is not the same thing as registering name servers. You will not be able to change your site's DNS to private name servers until your private name servers are registered with your domain registrar. Some registrars don't even have an option for you to create private name servers on our own. In many cases emailing them to do it is the only option.
Help
If you can't figure out how to register your private name servers with your registrar read their FAQ and look for a question along the lines of "How do I register name servers" If you can't figure it out from either reading their FAQ or navigating through your account with them you will need to email them asking...
"I want to create name servers for my domain. They are ns1.insteryourdomainhere.com with the IP of (insert the IP we assign here) and ns2.insertyourdomainhere.com with the IP of (insert the IP we assign here)"
My private name servers are registered now what?
Step 2: Setting NS A Records
After your name servers have been created, you must add the necessary A records to your domain. Read the details here.
After the A record update, you and your clients will be able to use your private name servers for all the domains which host with you.
If you don't know how to change your site's DNS please visit Changing DNS.
Step 3: DNS Glue / Setting SOA and NS Records
Once a domain name is using your private name servers, it is important to check the DNS glue.
Steps to Setup Private Name Servers
- Register Your Name Servers at your Registrar.
- Make sure A Records Exist for your Registered Private Name Servers.
- Make sure your SOA and NS Records are Correct (DNS Glue).
