DNS - Import and export records

In this guide you will learn:

• What is and how to import DNS
• 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, use the DNS Domain Records Import using the AXFR protocol or by inserting records in BIND format instead of manually entering individual records.

Enter the DNS import interface by following these steps:

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

Here, select 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.

The system filters out the records that cannot be imported (e.g. unsupported types) from the retrieved or entered records. The import can handle different styles of entries, missing columns with default values, relative and absolute names.

When you are finished, click the Apply Changes button. DNS edits will usually take effect within 1 hour.

AXFR zone transfer

Asynchronous zone transfer AXFR is used to transfer the complete contents of a domain zone, that is, 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 records.

To transfer using AXFR, first make sure that your current DNS records 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 import button next to the IP address entry field.
3. Check the transferred records in the text box and confirm with the import button below this field.
4. Check the records in the table again and confirm by clicking Finish Import.
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 lists the full names of DNS records, 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 records stored in a file, perform the following import steps:

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

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

Exporting DNS

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

• By transmission via AXFR
• By downloading the CSV/PDF file
• Copying in BIND format

Enabling AXFR transmission

If you need to allow a remote DNS server to access DNS at our site, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the customer administration ⧉.
2. Select DNS from the top menu.
3. Select the domain whose DNS you want to export from the list.
4. In the Domain table, uncheck Allow outbound AXFR for this domain.
5. In the AXFR outgoing IP box, enter the IPv4 and IPv6 addresses of the remote DNS server.
6. Apply and save your changes.

Download CSV/PDF file

To download the DNS record dump in CSV or PDF format, follow these steps:

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

Copying in BIND format

To obtain data in BIND format, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the customer administration ⧉.
2. Select DNS from the top menu.
3. Select the domain whose DNS you want to download from the list.
4. Select Current Status from the left menu.
5. Copy the contents of the text box.

Another server may require further modifications before importing this data. 

Common problems

Common problems with importing and exporting DNS records include:

• Domain not added in WEDOS DNS

Frequently Asked Questions