Preparing DNS Before Transferring a Domain Into DNSimple

Table of Contents

• Ensure DNSSEC is disabled
• Adding the domain to DNSimple
• Copying the DNS records into DNSimple
• Checking the DNS record configuration
• Pointing the domain to DNSimple
• Transferring the domain to DNSimple

Transferring domain names from one registrar to another often causes concerns of downtime. The following steps will hopefully help you avoid any downtime while transferring, so the process is as smooth and easy as possible.

Ensure DNSSEC is disabled

If you are currently using DNSSEC, make sure to disable it at your registrar before changing the name servers.

Then you must remove the current DS record before transferring your domain away from your current provider.

Adding the domain to DNSimple

The first step, before starting the domain transfer, is to move the DNS management to DNSimple. This requires you to sign up for an account, activate your account, and add the domain without transferring it.

This gives you the chance to fully set up and test your DNS records before you move the domain.

Copying the DNS records into DNSimple

Configure the DNS records for the domain. To do this you can do any of the following:

1. Use the Add Services to Domain feature in the domain’s management screen to add all of the DNS records for common services, like Google Apps.
2. Add the records one-by-one using the Advanced Editor.
3. Add the records using the API.
4. Bulk-import the records using the Zone Import feature.

Checking the DNS record configuration

Once you’ve added all of the records for your domain, use a tool like dig, which is a command-line tool, to verify each of the records.

Since your domain is still pointing to the previous registrar, you manually need to query against one of the DNSimple name server to check the real results.

The dig syntax is easy to remember:

$ dig @NAME_SERVER DOMAIN_NAME [RECORD_TYPE]

For example, the following command checks the A records associated to the root domain:

$ dig @ns1.dnsimple.com example.com

To look up details for a subdomain use:

$ dig @ns1.dnsimple.com www.example.com

To look up details for a specific record type use:

$ dig @ns1.dnsimple.com www.example.com CNAME

Pointing the domain to DNSimple

After you have verified all of your records, you should point the domain to DNSimple by switching the domain name servers from your current name servers to DNSimple’s name servers. You will do this at your current registrar.

Once the name servers are changed to DNSimple, you will need to wait for the DNS information to propagate.

Name servers that are currently caching your domain’s DNS records need time for their caches to clear and to begin reporting the records from DNSimple’s name servers.

Transferring the domain to DNSimple

Once the DNS setup is complete and DNSimple is providing DNS service for your domain, you can begin the transfer process without worrying about downtime.