This article deals with the bulk DNS record import and export. You can find instructions for managing individual recordsin the article DNS – Domain Records.

In this article, you will learn:

• What DNS import is and how to perform it
• How to export DNS
• Common issues
• Frequently asked questions

If you need to reliably move a large number of DNS records between DNS servers, you can use the import via the AXFR protocol or by inserting records in BIND format instead of manually entering individual records according to the DNS – Domain Records guide.

Warning! By performing the import you will completely delete all the domain’s original DNS records!

Follow these steps to enter the DNS import interface:

1. Log into the customer administration panel.
2. In the navigation bar, select DNS.
3. Select the domain to import DNS into.
4. In the left menu, select Import via AXFR.

Next, choose whether you want to upload the zone file via AXFR (the easiest option, but not all providers support AXFR transfer), or manually using a file or text in BIND format.

From the obtained or entered records, the system filters those that cannot be imported (e.g. unsupported types). Import can process different notation styles, missing columns with default values, relative and absolute names.

When finished, click the Apply Changes button. Changes to DNS records will usually take effect within 1 hour.

Once the DNS import is complete, check the records thoroughly according to the DNS – Domain Records guide.

Asynchronous zone transfer (AXFR) is used to transfer the complete contents of a domain zone, i.e. all DNS records. It is mainly used by secondary servers to download data from primary servers. An alternative is IXFR (incremental zone transfer), whichs only transfer changed records.

To transfer using AXFR, first ensure that your current DNS provider supports this transfer. Then follow these steps:

1. Enter the DNS server’s IPv4 address into the DNS import interface.
2. Click the Import button next to the IP Address field.
3. Check the transferred records in the text area and confirm with the Import button below.
4. Review the records in the table and click the Finish Import button.
5. Confirm the changes using the Apply Changes button.

BIND is a text format for zone files. It contains a list of DNS records, their TTL, types and values.

If you have records stored in a file, import them by following these steps:

1. Upload the file into the DNS import interface.
2. Click the Import button in the File section.
3. Check the transferred records in the text area and confirm with the Import button below.
4. Review the records in the table and click the Finish Import button.
5. Confirm the changes using the Apply Changes button.

Alternatively, you can paste the content into the text box directly.

You can export DNS records from the administration in the following ways:

• AXFR transfer
• Download a CSV/PDF file
• Copying a BIND file

If you need to allow a third-party DNS server to access our DNS, follow these steps:

1. Log into the customer administration panel.
2. In the navigation bar, select DNS.
3. Select the domain to allow AXFR transfer for.
4. In the Domain table, check Allow outgoing AXFR for this domain.
5. Enter the third-party server’s IPv4 and IPv6 addresses in the AXFR Outgoing IP field.
6. Apply and Save Changes.

To download a list of DNS records in CSV or PDF format, follow these steps:

1. Log into the customer administration panel.
2. In the navigation bar, select DNS.
3. Select the domain to download the DNS records of.
4. In the left menu, select DNS Records.
5. In the upper right corner of the table, click the arrow icon and choose the CSV or PDF format.

To get data in BIND format, follow these steps:

1. Log into the customer administration panel.
2. In the navigation bar, select DNS.
3. Select the domain to obtain the DNS records of.
4. In the left menu, click Current Status.
5. Copy the text area contents.

Attention, the data on this page corresponds to the current state on the DNS server and may not reflect changes made less than 1 hour ago!

This data may need t be modified in order to import to another server.

Common problems with importing and exporting DNS records include:

• Domain doesn’t exist in WEDOS DNS

Issue: I want to import DNS from another provider to WEDOS, but the domain is not on the list.

Cause: The system deleted the inactive DNS, or it never existed in the first place.

Solution: Add the domain to DNS according to the instructions DNS – Add Domain.

Question: What should I do if my current provider does not support AXFR?
Answer: If you cannot find the data in BIND format either, import the records manually according to the DNS – Domain Records instructions.