Why should I use Private Nameservers?

Private nameservers are DNS servers that are set up for personal or organizational use, rather than using public DNS servers. The Internet and the World Wide Web have their own language. They speak in codes that the regular person would not understand. But thankfully there are tools that interpret and simplify these codes, so you don’t have to do it yourself. One of these tools is the nameserver.

What are Nameservers?

Nameservers are specialized servers that play a crucial role in the domain name system (DNS), which is the system responsible for translating domain names (such as example.com) into IP addresses (such as 192.168.1.1). Nameservers help route internet traffic to the correct destination.

Key points about nameservers:

1. DNS Resolution: When you enter a domain name into your browser’s address bar, your browser needs to resolve the domain name to an IP address in order to find and connect to the appropriate webserver. Nameservers facilitate this process by providing the necessary IP address associated with the domain.
2. Role in DNS Hierarchy: The DNS system is structured as a hierarchy. At the top are root nameservers, which store information about the top-level domains (such as .com, .net, .org). Below them are TLD nameservers, which hold information about domains within their top-level domain (e.g., example.com in the .com TLD). Below the TLD nameservers are authoritative nameservers for individual domains.
3. Authoritative Nameservers: Authoritative nameservers are the servers that contain the definitive mapping between a domain name and its associated IP address. When a DNS query reaches these servers, they provide the IP address associated with the domain.
4. Domain Registration: When a domain is registered, the domain registrar typically provides you with the option to set up custom nameservers or use default nameservers. These nameservers are specified in the domain’s DNS settings and help guide DNS queries for that domain.
5. Custom Nameservers: Some hosting providers offer the ability to set up custom nameservers for a domain, allowing you to manage the domain’s DNS settings and direct traffic as desired.
6. Caching and Recursive Nameservers: When a DNS query is made, the request may be handled by a recursive nameserver that caches DNS records. Caching helps speed up the DNS resolution process by reducing the number of queries that need to be sent to authoritative nameservers.
7. Configurable DNS Records: Nameservers manage various types of DNS records, such as A records (for mapping domain names to IP addresses), CNAME records (for aliasing domain names), MX records (for specifying mail servers), and others.

What are Private Nameservers?

Private nameservers, also known as custom nameservers, are a type of nameserver that you can set up for your own domain. These nameservers use your domain name as the basis for their names rather than relying on generic or provider-specific nameservers. For example, if you own the domain example.com, you might create private nameservers called

ns1.example.com

ns2.example.com

Key points about private nameservers:

1. Branding: Private nameservers allow you to use your domain name in the nameserver addresses, which can help maintain consistent branding across your online presence.
2. Control: With private nameservers, you have more control over your domain’s DNS settings and can manage DNS records directly through your hosting provider or DNS service. This level of control allows you to customize how DNS requests are handled for your domain.
3. Flexibility: Setting up private nameservers gives you the flexibility to switch hosting providers or DNS services without having to change your nameserver settings across your domain portfolio. This can make transitions smoother and less disruptive.
4. Professionalism: Private nameservers can add a level of professionalism to your online presence, especially if you manage multiple domains or host websites for clients. It can give the impression that you have a dedicated infrastructure for your services.
5. Isolation: Using private nameservers can help isolate your domain’s DNS traffic from that of other users who might share the same generic nameservers from a hosting provider. This can potentially improve performance and reliability.
6. Setup and Configuration: To set up private nameservers, you typically need to register them with your domain registrar and configure them with the IP addresses of your web servers. You may also need to adjust the DNS settings at your hosting provider or DNS service.
7. Cost: Depending on your domain registrar and hosting provider, there may be additional costs associated with setting up private nameservers, although some providers offer them as a standard part of their services.
8. Management: If you use private nameservers, you’ll be responsible for managing their configuration and ensuring they remain up-to-date and secure.

Benefits of Private Name Server

Private nameservers, also known as custom nameservers, offer several benefits for domain owners who choose to set them up. Here are some of the key advantages of using private nameservers:

1. Branding: By using your own domain name in your nameservers, you can maintain consistent branding across your online presence. This can add a professional touch and enhance your reputation.
2. Control: With private nameservers, you have direct control over your domain’s DNS settings. This allows you to customize how DNS queries are handled for your domain and make changes as needed.
3. Flexibility: When you have private nameservers, you can switch hosting providers or DNS services more easily without needing to change your nameserver settings across your domain portfolio. This can simplify migrations and minimize downtime.
4. Isolation: Private nameservers can isolate your domain’s DNS traffic from that of other domains using shared nameservers. This can potentially improve performance and reliability.
5. Scalability: If you manage multiple domains or host websites for clients, private nameservers can offer scalability and easier management. You can create a unified DNS management system for all your domains.
6. Consistency: Using private nameservers across multiple domains can provide a consistent DNS environment, making it easier to manage and troubleshoot issues.
7. Security: By managing your own private nameservers, you can implement security measures and best practices to protect your DNS infrastructure, such as access controls and monitoring for unusual activity.
8. Enhanced Client Services: If you provide hosting or other services to clients, private nameservers can offer a more professional and seamless experience. Clients can use your custom nameservers, which can improve their perception of your service.
9. Customization: Private nameservers allow you to configure your DNS records and settings according to your specific needs and preferences. This includes setting up various record types such as A, CNAME, MX, TXT, and more.
10. Reduced Dependency: By setting up private nameservers, you reduce dependency on your hosting provider’s nameservers, giving you more independence and resilience in case of provider issues.

Setting Up Private Nameservers

1. Registrar Settings: Access your domain registrar’s control panel and navigate to the section for managing nameservers.
2. Create Nameserver Hostnames: Assign custom names to your private nameservers (e.g., ns1.yourdomain.com and ns2.yourdomain.com).
3. IP Address Assignment: Obtain the IP addresses of your hosting provider’s nameservers (usually provided by the hosting company).
4. DNS Configuration: Update the DNS settings of your domain to point to the IP addresses of your private nameservers.
5. Propagation: DNS changes may take some time to propagate across the internet. Typically, it takes up to 48 hours for changes to take full effect.
6. Verify Setup: Use online DNS checking tools to ensure that your private nameservers are correctly configured and resolving properly.

How to check nameservers using WHOIS lookup tools

1. You can find your web host’s nameservers by accessing your hosting control panel to find the provider’s nameserver details.
2. There are various lookup tools available online where you can enter your domain name and retrieve your domain details.
3. You can compare the nameservers from your hosting provider with the ones you found using the WHOIS lookup tool. If they match, your domain is set up correctly. If not, contact your hosting company for assistance.

How long does it take for nameservers to update?

Anytime you change DNS records, it takes time for the update to take effect across the internet. This is called DNS propagation, and it can take up to 48 hours.

Changes can be seen soon after you update, but it could still be updating in other regions. So allow up to 48 hours for your nameservers to propagate fully.