What Are Connectors?
Table of Contents
- Which connectors are available
- What authorizing a connector grants
- What a connection is
- Connections are monitored
- What happens when you delete a connection
- Connectors and one-click services
- Have more questions?
A connector links one domain in your DNSimple account to one account on a third-party platform, creates the DNS records that the platform needs, and then watches the connection to make sure it keeps working. DNSimple offers two connectors: Heroku and Netlify.
Which connectors are available
Heroku and Netlify are the only connectors DNSimple offers.
- Heroku Connector - connect a domain to a Heroku app
- Netlify Connector - connect a domain to a Netlify site
If you need to point a domain at a different provider, see the integrations or one-click services instead.
What authorizing a connector grants
Setting up a connector asks you to authorize twice, because the connector needs to act on both sides.
- Authorizing DNSimple grants the connector permission to read your domains and to create and manage DNS records for the domain you are connecting.
- Authorizing the platform grants the connector permission to see your apps or sites on Heroku or Netlify, so it can look up the right hostname and, for Netlify, apply the matching configuration.
Both authorizations are scoped to the connection you are creating. Revoking either one stops the connector from maintaining that connection.
What a connection is
Each connector you set up creates a connection, which is tied to your account and to one domain. A connection stores:
- A title identifying it
- Metadata about the connected app or site, which is what the connection card shows
- A history of messages about the connection
- A history of its status over time
You can see your connections on the tab of a domain. The tab appears only for users who can manage the account.
Connections are monitored
DNSimple checks connections on an ongoing basis rather than only at setup. If a connection breaks, because the DNS records were removed or the configuration changed on the platform side, we send an email to your account notification email with instructions for fixing it and a link to reconnect.
This monitoring is what most distinguishes a connector from following a setup guide by hand.
What happens when you delete a connection
Disconnecting a connector removes the connection, and there is an option to have any of the associated DNS records and/or the hostname automatically deleted.
Note
Removing a connection stops DNSimple from monitoring it. Review the DNS records for the domain afterwards to confirm they are what you want, and remove any that are no longer needed.
Connectors and one-click services
Connectors and one-click services are both offered by DNSimple. Choosing between them depends on what you are connecting to and who maintains the DNS.
| What it is | Who maintains the DNS | |
|---|---|---|
| Connector | An authorized link between one domain and one Heroku app or Netlify site | DNSimple writes the records and monitors the connection |
| One-click service | A DNSimple-maintained record template for a known provider | DNSimple writes the records when you apply the service |
Use a connector if you are on Heroku or Netlify and want the records maintained and watched for you. Use a one-click service if a ready-made record set exists for your provider. For other providers, see the integrations articles.
Have more questions?
If you have any questions about connectors, just contact support, and we’ll be happy to help.