How to Set Up Private Nameservers in WHM/cPanel?

Establishing your own namese­rvers in WHM/cPanel lets you make­ personalized namese­rvers for your domain. It makes DNS handling and branding more unde­r your charge.

Follow these steps to configure private nameservers in WHM/cPanel:

1. Register Private Nameservers with Your Domain Registrar

Before configuring private nameservers in WHM/cPanel, you have to sign up them with your area registrar.

a. Login to your domain registrar's account.

b. Find the option to manage or register nameservers (often under "DNS Management" or "Domain Management").

c. Register your private nameservers using the following format:

ns1.yourdomain.com, pointing to your server's IP address.

ns2.yourdomain.com, pointing to your server's IP address.

Note: Replace "yourdomain.com"  with your area call and use the server IP addresses supplied by your cloud hosting issuer.

2. Access WHM (Web Host Manager)

a) Log in on your WHM as a root user or a consumer with sufficient privileges.

b) In the WHM dashboard, use the search bar or navigate to "DNS Functions."

3. Edit DNS Zone

a) Under "DNS Functions," click on "Edit DNS Zone."

b) Select the domain to set up private nameservers and click "Edit."

4. Add A Record for the Nameservers

a) Scroll down to the section to add new DNS records.

b) Add A records for your private nameservers:

1. ns1.yourdomain.com, pointing to the corresponding IP address.

2. ns2.yourdomain.com pointing to the corresponding IP address.

Example:

3. Adjust the TTL (Time to Live) value or leave it at the default (usually 14400 seconds) if needed.

4. Save the changes by clicking "Save" at the bottom of the page.

5. Configure Nameserver IPs in WHM

a)  In WHM, search for "Nameserver IPs" in the left-hand menu.

b)  Click on "Nameserver IPs" to configure IPs for your nameservers.

c)  Enter the IP addresses associated with ns1.Yourdomain.Com and ns2.Yourdomain.Com.

6. Set the Default Nameservers in WHM

a)  In WHM, search for "Basic WebHost Manager Setup."

b) Scroll down to the Nameservers section.

c) Enter your private nameservers (e.g., ns1.yourdomain.com and ns2.yourdomain.com).

d) Click "Save Changes" to apply the settings.

7. Update Your Domain's Nameservers

a) Go back to your domain registrar's portal.

b) Change your domain's nameservers to the private nameservers you've just set up:

- ns1.yourdomain.com

- ns2.yourdomain.com

8. Verify the Configuration

a) DNS changes may take up to 48 hours to propagate globally.

b) To check if the private nameservers are working, use online DNS lookup tools or the dig command in the terminal.

Troubleshooting Common Issues

a) Nameserver Not Resolving: Ensure the A records are correctly configured and the IP addresses are correct.

b) DNS Propagation Delays: DNS adjustments can take time to propagate. Wait 24–48 hours and test once more.

c) Registrar-Specific Issues: Some domain registrars have specific requirements or delays when registering private nameservers. Contact their support if you encounter issues.

Additional Tips

a) Redundancy: Consider setting up greater than two nameservers (e.g., ns3, ns4) for redundancy.

b) Security: Regularly reveal your DNS settings to make sure they have not been tampered with.

c) Automation: Use WHM/cPanel's equipment to automate DNS management for more than one domain names.

Following these steps, you can successfully set up private nameservers in WHM/cPanel. This will provide your domain with custom, branded nameservers that offer greater control over your DNS settings.