Knowledgebase

Setting Up Custom Nameservers (Firstserv Guide)

Custom nameservers allow you to brand your DNS using your own domain name.

Example

If your domain is:

example.co.uk

You could create:

ns1.example.co.uk  
ns2.example.co.uk

Important Notes

• ✅ Custom nameservers are most commonly used by resellers
• ✅ Shared hosting customers can use them, but we recommend using the default Firstserv nameservers:

  ns1.firstserv.com  
  ns2.firstserv.com
  

⚠️ Important Warning

Custom nameservers:

• ❌ Do not create your own DNS server
• ✅ Act as aliases pointing to Firstserv’s DNS infrastructure

If nameserver IPs ever change:

• You must update your custom nameserver records
• Otherwise, domains using them may stop resolving

Step 1: Create A Records (DNS)

You’ll first need to create DNS records for your custom nameservers.

How to Add A Records

1. Log in to cPanel
2. Go to Domains → Zone Editor
3. Click + Add A Record

Add Your Nameservers

Create two records:

ns1 → [Firstserv Nameserver IP 1]  
ns2 → [Firstserv Nameserver IP 2]

👉 If you’re using VPS or Dedicated hosting:

• Use your server’s IP address(es) instead

Step 2: Register Nameservers (GLUE Records)

To make your custom nameservers functional, you must register them (known as GLUE records).

How to Register Nameservers

1. Log in to your Firstserv Client Area
2. Go to My Domains
3. Select your domain
4. Click Register Nameservers

Add Your Nameservers

Register both:

ns1.example.co.uk → [same IP as A record]  
ns2.example.co.uk → [same IP as A record]

✅ The IP addresses must match exactly with your A records

Step 3: Assign Your Nameservers

Now apply your new nameservers to your domain.

For Reseller Hosting

• Configure in WHM → Basic WebHost Manager Setup
• Update NS records in your DNS zones

For Shared Hosting

• Open a support ticket
• Provide your custom nameservers (ns1/ns2)
• Firstserv will update the NS records for you

What Are GLUE Records?

GLUE records connect your custom nameserver name to an IP address.

Why They Matter

Without GLUE records:

• DNS lookups can fail
• Your domain may not resolve

Simple Explanation

When someone visits your website:

1. Their ISP asks which nameserver handles your domain
2. If your nameserver is ns1.example.co.uk, it also needs to know its IP
3. GLUE records provide that IP

✅ Without GLUE, DNS can’t complete the lookup

Summary

To set up custom nameservers:

1. ✅ Create A records (ns1, ns2) in DNS
2. ✅ Register nameservers (GLUE records) in your Client Area
3. ✅ Apply the new nameservers to your domain

Recommendation

• ✅ Use custom nameservers for branding (mainly resellers)
• ✅ Otherwise, use default:

  ns1.firstserv.com  
  ns2.firstserv.com
  

Need Help?

If you’re unsure about nameserver setup or GLUE records, the Firstserv support team is always happy to assist.