Importing a zone file

If you are migrating to IBM® NS1 Connect®, you can simplify initial configuration by importing a zone file from a previous DNS provider to auto-generate the zone and its corresponding records.

Before you begin

Consider the following before importing a zone file to NS1 Connect:

  • Zone file imports for DNSSEC-enabled zones are not supported. Before importing a zone, remove DNSSEC-related records such as RRSIG, DNSKEY, or NSEC/NSEC3.

    When you are using DNSSEC, NS1 Connect manages zone signing. To avoid DNS validation issues during cutover, remove the DS record from the registry before updating delegation to NS1 Connect.

    For uninterrupted DNSSEC signing, use an alternative migration approach. This process requires additional coordination and takes several days. After DNSSEC records are removed, a standard zone file import can proceed immediately.

    For questions about migration or assistance with a DNSSEC enabled transition, contact support.

  • The following instructions assume that you already downloaded a valid zone file from your previous DNS provider. Refer to the documentation provided by your previous DNS provider or work with IBM support for guidance.
  • Whereas traditional DNS resource records contain one answer per record, NS1 Connect DNS records can contain multiple answers. After importing the zone file, you need to consolidate records of the same type to list all relevant answers within a single record. This configuration allows you to control and optimize traffic steering distribution between multiple endpoints (answers) by configuring a Filter Chain at the record level.
  • Validating your zone file by using the named-checkzone tool before you upload it to NS1 Connect is recommended.

Procedure

  1. Click DNS > Zones.
  2. Click Add zone.
  3. Enter the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) associated with the zone.
  4. Select one or more NS1 Connect DNS networks on which to publish the zone. Usually, this includes the Managed DNS network. Optionally, you can deselect all networks to so the zone is unpublished; however, publishing a zone does not initiate traffic flow through NS1 Connect nameservers until the nameserver delegation is updated at the domain registrar.
  5. Under Zone settings, select Zone file import.
  6. Click Browse files.
  7. Select the zone file and click Open.
  8. Click Save zone. When the import process is complete, the new zone appears in the list.
    Note: If the zone import fails, use the named-checkzone tool to validate the zone file before trying again. If the file passes validation, but you still experience issues, contact IBM support.
  9. Review the imported zone and record data, adjusting configuration details as needed.

When you are ready to initiate DNS traffic flow through NS1 Connect nameservers, you must locate the nameservers assigned to the imported zone and update the nameserver delegation at the domain registrar.