How to Configure Custom Nameservers on Your VPS?

Custom nameservers (e.g., ns1.yourdomain.com, ns2.yourdomain.com) allow you to manage DNS records independently and brand your hosting service. This guide walks you through setting up custom nameservers on a Windows VPS using Microsoft DNS.

🛠️ Prerequisites

• A VPS with Microsoft DNS Server installed

• At least one public IP address

• Access to your domain registrar's control panel

🔧 Step-by-Step Configuration Guide

1. Create a Primary DNS Zone

• Launch DNS Manager (dnsmgmt.msc)

• Right-click Forward Lookup Zones → click New Zone

• Choose Primary Zone, and enter your domain (e.g., yourdomain.com)

2. Add A Records for Nameservers

• Inside your new zone:

  • Create ns1 → Point it to your VPS IP

  • Create ns2 → Point it to the same or another IP

3. Add NS Records

• Right-click the zone → Properties → Name Servers tab

• Add:

  • ns1.yourdomain.com with its IP

  • ns2.yourdomain.com with its IP

4. Edit the SOA Record

• Go to the SOA tab under zone Properties

• Update:

  • Primary server: ns1.yourdomain.com

  • Responsible person: admin@yourdomain.com

  • Serial number: Format YYYYMMDDNN (e.g., 2025041601)

5. Add Key DNS Records

• A Records:

  • @ → Points to your VPS IP

  • * → Wildcard pointing to your VPS IP

  • www, mail, ftp → Each pointing to your VPS IP

• MX Record:

  • mail.yourdomain.com with priority 10

• TXT Record (SPF):

  • v=spf1 a mx -all

6. Register Your Nameservers

• Log in to your domain registrar

• Register:

  • ns1.yourdomain.com → VPS IP

  • ns2.yourdomain.com → VPS IP

• Update your domain's nameserver settings to use ns1 and ns2

✅ Verification

• Use DNS tools like DNS Checker to confirm propagation.

• DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to fully propagate worldwide.