How do I create custom nameservers?

Introduction: 

If you are a reseller and would like to set up custom nameservers for your clients to use on their domains, this can be done free of charge. 

All steps must be followed accordingly for any custom nameservers to be valid. Failure to do so correctly may either cause websites to fail to load entirely or fail to load for certain regions / resolvers. 

You must set up custom nameservers for your domain when using domain registrars like GoDaddy, Namecheap, Enom, Network Solutions, Reseller Club, or Brixly. This KB article provides step-by-step instructions on registering hostnames and assigning IP addresses, adding DNS records to your DNS zone, verifying nameserver settings in WHM's Basic WebHost Manager, and ensuring proper propagation of changes. Following these steps will allow you to use your own custom nameservers and streamline DNS management.

Step 1: Registering Hostnames (Glue Records)

1. Access your domain registrar's website (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.).
2. Locate the section or option for registering or recording a "hostname" for your domain name. Each registrar may use different terminology and procedures.
3. Create a hostname for your domain by selecting a third-level name (e.g., "ns1").
4. Register the hostname by appending it to your domain name (e.g., "ns1.yourfabsite.com").
5. Assign the server's IP address where your account is hosted to the registered hostname. You can find the correct IP addresses for the nameservers in the welcome email you received when signing up for your reseller product.

Step 2: Adding DNS Records to Your DNS Zone

1. Once you have registered your custom nameservers with your domain registrar, it's time to add the hostnames to your DNS zone file.
2. When you use external DNS management, such as Cloudflare, the records must be changed with them.
3. Add "A" records for each hostname, pointing them to the IP addresses you associated with the hostnames in Step 1.

Note: If you purchased your reseller account from Brixly, this step would have already been done automatically.

Step 3: Verifying Nameserver Settings in WHM's Basic WebHost Manager

1. Log in to WHM (Web Host Manager) using your credentials.
2. Once logged in, navigate to the "Basic WebHost Manager Setup" section. You can use the search bar at the top-left corner of the WHM interface and search for "Basic WebHost Manager."
3. Click on the "Basic WebHost Manager Setup" option that appears in the search results.
4. In the "Basic WebHost Manager Setup" page, locate the "Nameservers" section.
5. Ensure that your custom nameservers are correctly listed in the "Nameserver 1" and "Nameserver 2" fields. These should match the hostnames you registered in Step 1.
6. If the nameservers are not set correctly, edit the fields and enter the correct custom nameservers.
7. Scroll down to the bottom of the page and click the "Save Changes" button to apply the updated nameserver settings.

Note: The changes may take some time to propagate throughout the system. Please allow for sufficient time for the changes to take effect.

Step 4: Allowing for Propagation

1. After completing the previous steps, allowing time for DNS propagation is crucial. This process ensures that your DNS changes are fully updated and propagated across the Internet.
2. It is recommended to wait at least 24 hours to ensure proper propagation.
3. Once the propagation period has passed, you can instruct your customers to update the nameservers for their existing domains, or new customers can add your custom nameservers when they sign up with you.

Conclusion: Following these steps, you can set up custom nameservers for your domain, enabling efficient DNS management and control. Registering hostnames, adding corresponding DNS records, verifying nameserver settings in WHM's Basic WebHost Manager, and allowing for proper propagation are essential for ensuring that your custom nameservers are recognized and utilized correctly. If you encounter any difficulties or have further questions, please reach out to your hosting provider's support team for assistance.