How to Set Up Secondary DNS in DirectAdmin

Secondary DNS (also called Slave DNS) provides a backup DNS server for your domain. If your primary DNS goes down, the secondary DNS helps keep your website and email services online.

What Is Secondary DNS?

Secondary DNS is a backup copy of your DNS zone hosted on another server. It automatically synchronizes DNS records from your primary (master) DNS server.

Benefits of Secondary DNS

✔ Improved reliability
✔ Faster DNS resolution
✔ Reduced downtime
✔ Extra protection against DNS failure



Requirements Before You Start

Make sure you have:

  • Access to DirectAdmin

  • A secondary DNS server (from your hosting provider or a DNS service)

  • The IP address of the secondary DNS server

  • Permission to allow zone transfers (AXFR)



Step 1: Log in to DirectAdmin

Log in to your DirectAdmin control panel using your hosting credentials.



Step 2: Add the Secondary Nameserver

  1. Go to Account Manager

  2. Click DNS Management

  3. Open your domain’s DNS zone

Add NS records for the secondary DNS:

ns2.yourdomain.com

Point it to the IP address of the secondary DNS server.

Step 3: Create an A Record for the Secondary NS

Still under DNS Management:

  • Type: A

  • Name: ns2

  • Value: Secondary DNS IP address

Save the record.

Step 4: Configure the Secondary DNS Server

On the secondary DNS server:

  • Set the zone as Slave

  • Enter the primary (master) DNS IP

  • Allow zone transfer (AXFR) from the primary server

Step 5: Enable Zone Transfer in DirectAdmin

Ask your hosting provider or system admin to:

  • Allow AXFR to the secondary DNS IP

  • Confirm the zone is accessible for synchronization

Step 6: Update Nameservers at Domain Registrar

Log in to your domain registrar and update the nameservers to include both:

ns1.yourdomain.com

ns2.yourdomain.com

Save changes.

Step 7: Verify DNS Synchronization

  • Use tools like DNS Checker

  • Confirm both nameservers return the same DNS records

  • Allow up to 24 hours for full propagation

Important Notes

  • Secondary DNS cannot be configured fully from DirectAdmin alone

  • Zone transfers must be allowed by the server admin

  • Incorrect NS or IP settings may cause downtime

Summary

To set up Secondary DNS in DirectAdmin:

  1. Add secondary NS records

  2. Create A record for the secondary nameserver

  3. Configure slave DNS server

  4. Enable zone transfer

  5. Update nameservers at registrar

  6. Verify DNS propagation