Private nameservers — sometimes called custom nameservers — let you create branded nameservers using your own domain name (for example, ns1.example.com) instead of your provider's. This article explains what private nameservers are and how to register, modify, or delete them in the Exact Hosting client area.
How Private Nameservers Work
A private nameserver is a DNS server hostname built from your own domain that you register with the domain's registry. Once registered, you can use these custom hostnames as the nameservers for any domain you manage, which is useful for resellers, hosting providers, and anyone who wants consistent branding in whois and DNS lookups.
Private nameservers do not replace your DNS service — they are registered hostnames that point to the IP addresses of your actual DNS servers.
Note: Private nameservers can only be created with Exact Hosting if your domain is registered with us. If your domain is registered elsewhere, you must create them at your current registrar.
Before You Begin
- A domain registered with Exact Hosting. Private nameservers can only be created on domains registered through Exact Hosting.
- The IP addresses for your nameservers. You need a valid IP address for each private nameserver you register. Most setups use at least two for redundancy.
- Access to manage your domain. Sign in to the Exact Hosting client area with the account that owns the domain.
Step 1: Open Private Nameserver Management
All private nameserver actions — register, modify, and delete — start from the same area in your domain's management page.
- Log in to the Exact Hosting client area.
- Select your Domain, followed by Private Nameservers.
Step 2: Choose an Action
The Private Nameserver management area offers three options. Pick the one that matches what you need to do.
Option | When to use it |
|---|---|
Register a NameServer Name | Use this when you have not yet created any private nameservers for your domain, or when you want to add a new one. |
Modify a NameServer IP | Use this when you need to update the IP address of an existing private nameserver registered with Exact Hosting for this domain. |
Delete a NameServer | Use this when you want to remove a private nameserver that is registered with Exact Hosting for this domain. |
Warning: Before deleting or modifying a private nameserver, make sure no domains are still using it as a nameserver. Removing a nameserver that is still in use can cause DNS resolution to fail for those domains.
Step 3: Apply Your Nameservers to a Domain
Registering a private nameserver creates the hostname, but it does not automatically apply it to any domain. To use your new nameservers, update each domain's nameserver settings to point to them.
- Return to Domains in the client area.
- Click Active next to the domain you want to update.
- Choose Nameservers.
- Select Use custom nameservers and enter your private nameserver hostnames.
- Click Change nameservers to save.
Next Steps
- Confirm DNS propagation. Nameserver changes can take up to 24 hours to take effect across the internet. Use a third-party DNS lookup tool to verify the new values are visible.
- Review your DNS records. Once your private nameservers are live, confirm the records hosted on those nameservers are correct. See Managing DNS Records and Nameservers. [LINK NEEDED]
- Clear your local DNS cache. If you don't see the change reflected on your computer right away, flush your DNS cache. See Clearing Your DNS Cache.
Questions? Contact Exact Hosting Support.
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