Importing a zone file

If you are migrating to the IBM® NS1 Connect® platform, 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 the IBM NS1 Connect® platform:

  • The instructions below assume 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 DNS records can contain multiple answers. After importing the zone file, you may 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.
  • We recommend validating your zone file using the "named-checkzone" tool before you upload it to the IBM NS1 Connect® platform.

Procedure

Follow the instructions below to import a zone file to the IBM NS1 Connect® platform.

  1. Click the Zones tab.
  2. Click the + button as if you were creating a new zone.
  3. Enter the fully qualified domain name (FQDN) associated with the zone.
  4. Select one or more NS1 DNS networks on which to publish the zone. In most cases, this will include the Managed DNS network. Optionally, you can deselect all networks to leave the zone unpublished—however, publishing a zone does not initiate traffic flow through NS1 nameservers until the nameserver delegation is updated at the domain registrar.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. Once 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 nameservers, you must locate the nameservers assigned to the imported zone and update the nameserver delegation at the domain registrar.