DNS – Import and Export of Records

In this guide, you will learn:

• What a DNS import is and how to perform one
• How to export DNS
• Common Problems
• Frequently Asked Questions

Importing DNS

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

To open the DNS import interface, 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 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 transfer), or manually using a file or text in BIND format.

From the retrieved or entered records, the system filters out those that cannot be imported (e.g. unsupported types). The import can handle various notation styles, missing columns with default values, and both relative and absolute names. If the value of a single TXT record is split into several parts in quotation marks, the import joins them into one value.

When you are done, click the button Apply Changes. DNS changes usually take effect within 1 hour.

You can also import a zone via WAPI using the command dns-domain-zone-import. This import also replaces the entire domain zone. For general information about WAPI, see the article WAPI – Manual.

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 used mainly by secondary servers to download data from primary servers. An alternative is IXFR (incremental zone transfer), which transfers only the changed records instead of all of them.

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

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

Loading records via AXFR (step 2) does not change the zone; the records are only displayed in a text field for review. The original records are replaced only after you confirm the import in the following steps.

File or Text in BIND Format

BIND is a text format for zone files. It contains a list of the full names of DNS records, along with their TTLs, types, and values.

wds-test.online.	300	IN	A	46.28.105.2
wds-test.online.	300	IN	AAAA	2a02:2b88:1:4::16
wds-test.online.	300	IN	MX	10 1 wes1-redir.wedos.net
*.wds-test.online.	300	IN	A	46.28.105.2
*.wds-test.online.	300	IN	AAAA	2a02:2b88:1:4::16

If you have the records stored in a file, import them with these steps:

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

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

Exporting DNS

You can export DNS records from the administration in these 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 to access your 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 table Domain check the item Allow outgoing AXFR for this domain.
5. In the field AXFR outgoing IP enter the IPv4 and IPv6 addresses of the remote DNS server.
6. Apply Changes and Save Changes.

Downloading a CSV/PDF File

To download a list 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 top right corner of the table, click the download icon and choose the format CSV or PDF.

Copying in BIND Format

You can get the 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 state.
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:

• Domain is not added in WEDOS DNS

Frequently Asked Questions