DNS - Import and Export Records

In this guide, you will learn:

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

DNS Import

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

Enter the DNS import interface using these steps:

1. Log in to the customer administration ⧉.
2. In the top menu, select DNS.
3. From the list, select the domain whose DNS you want to import.
4. In the left menu, select Import via AXFR.

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

The system will filter out records from the obtained or entered data that cannot be imported (e.g. unsupported types). The import can process various record styles, missing columns with default values, and relative as well as absolute names.

After finishing, click the apply changes button. DNS changes usually take effect within 1 hour.

AXFR Zone Transfer

Asynchronous AXFR zone transfer 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), which transfers only changed records instead of all.

To transfer using AXFR, first make sure that your current DNS record provider supports this transfer. Then proceed with these steps: 

1. Enter the IPv4 address of the DNS server into the DNS data import interface.
2. Click the import button next to the IP address field.
3. In the text field, check the transferred records and confirm with the import button below this field.
4. Check the records in the table again and confirm with the finish import button.
5. Confirm the new settings with the apply changes button.

File or text in BIND format

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

wds-test.online.\t300\tIN\tA\t46.28.105.2
wds-test.online.\t300\tIN\tAAAA\t2a02:2b88:1:4::16
wds-test.online.\t300\tIN\tMX\t10 1 wes1-redir.wedos.net
*.wds-test.online.\t300\tIN\tA\t46.28.105.2
*.wds-test.online.\t300\tIN\tAAAA\t2a02:2b88:1:4::16

If you have the records saved in a file, perform the import with these steps:

1. Upload the file to the DNS data import interface.
2. Click the import button next to the file upload field.
3. In the text field, check the transferred records and confirm with the import button below this field.
4. Check the records in the table again and confirm with the finish import button.
5. Confirm the new settings with the apply changes button.

Alternatively, you can paste the contents directly into the text field.

DNS Export

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

• By transfer via AXFR
• By downloading a CSV/PDF file
• By copying in BIND format

Enabling AXFR Transfer

If you need to allow a remote DNS server access to DNS with us, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the customer administration ⧉.
2. In the top menu, select DNS.
3. From the list, select the domain whose DNS you want to export.
4. In the Domain table, uncheck allow outgoing AXFR for this domain.
5. Fill in the Outgoing AXFR IP field with the IPv4 and IPv6 addresses of the remote DNS server.
6. Apply and save changes.

Downloading CSV/PDF file

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

1. Log in to the customer administration ⧉.
2. In the top menu, select DNS.
3. From the list, select the domain whose DNS you want to download.
4. In the left menu, select DNS records.
5. In the upper-right corner of the table, click the download icon and choose the CSV or PDF format.

Copying in BIND format

Obtain data in BIND format with these steps:

1. Log in to the customer administration ⧉.
2. In the top menu, select DNS.
3. From the list, select the domain whose DNS you want to download.
4. In the left menu, select Current status.
5. Copy the contents of the text field.

Another server may require additional adjustments before importing this data. 

Common problems

Common problems with importing and exporting DNS records include:

• The domain is not added in WEDOS DNS

Frequently asked questions