If you run DirectAdmin on your own VPS, you can give your server branded nameservers such as ns1.yourdomain.com. There are three parts: register the names with their IP addresses at the registry, tell DirectAdmin to use them, and point your domains at them. This page covers the DirectAdmin side and links to the full guide for the registry side.
Register ns1 and ns2 of your domain as child name servers (glue records) with your VPS IP addresses: in the Domain India client area, open the domain's Nameservers tab and expand Custom nameservers (glue records). In DirectAdmin's admin level, set the same names as the server's nameservers, and make sure the zone has A records for ns1 and ns2. Then set each domain's nameservers to the new names and allow up to 24-48 hours.
This page covers the DirectAdmin steps. For what glue records are, the registry rules, and how to change or remove them, read Registering and managing child name servers.
1. Who this is for
This is for your own server: a VPS or dedicated server where you are the DirectAdmin administrator. On a Domain India VPS, DirectAdmin is an optional paid panel that you administer yourself, since the VPS is self-managed.
It is not for DirectAdmin shared hosting. A shared hosting account has no DNS server of your own, so branded nameservers would have nothing to point at. Shared hosting customers use the hosting nameservers shown on their hosting service page; see How do I change my nameservers. If you resell hosting under your own brand, see Can I have my own nameservers?
2. Before you start
- A VPS running DirectAdmin, with DNS (port 53) answering from the internet.
- The server's public IP addresses. Two different IP addresses are better than one: two names on one IP look like redundancy but are not.
- The domain that will carry the names (for example
yourdomain.com), registered and active. - Root or DirectAdmin admin access to the server.
3. Set it up
- Register the child name servers.Sign in to the client area, open the domain in your domains, go to the Nameservers tab and expand Custom nameservers (glue records). Add
ns1.yourdomain.comwith your VPS IP address, thenns2.yourdomain.comwith the second IP (or the same one if you only have one). If the section isn't available for your domain, open a support ticket with the hostnames and IP addresses. - Set the server's nameservers in DirectAdmin.Log in at the admin level. In the server settings (usually Server Manager → Administrator Settings; names can differ between DirectAdmin versions and skins), enter
ns1.yourdomain.comandns2.yourdomain.comas the server's nameservers and save. New zones DirectAdmin creates will then list these names. - Assign the IPs as nameservers at the reseller level, if your version asks for it.Some DirectAdmin setups have a separate nameserver page that links each name to one of the server's IP addresses. Use the same IP addresses as in step 1.
- Check the A records.In the DNS zone for
yourdomain.comon the server, make sure there is an A record forns1and one forns2, each with the same IP address you registered in step 1. If they disagree with the glue records, lookups fail. - Point your domains at the new nameservers.For each domain the server will host, set its nameservers to
ns1.yourdomain.comandns2.yourdomain.com. For a domain registered with Domain India, use Edit at the top of the same Nameservers tab. Make sure a DNS zone for each domain exists in DirectAdmin first. - Wait and check.Allow up to 24-48 hours for the change to reach every network, then check with the commands below.
dig A ns1.yourdomain.com +short # should return your VPS IP
dig NS clientdomain.com +short # should list ns1/ns2.yourdomain.com
dig A clientdomain.com @ns1.yourdomain.com +short # your server answers for the domain4. Common mistakes
Creating ns1.yourdomain.com at the registry only creates the host. Each domain still needs its nameservers changed (step 5), and a zone on your server. If you point a domain at the new names before the zone exists, it stops resolving.
- Port 53 is blocked. Your VPS firewall must allow DNS on TCP and UDP port 53, or nobody can query your nameservers.
- The glue IP and the A record differ. Keep them identical; after changing the server IP, update both.
- Deleting a host that is still in use. The registry refuses to delete a child name server while any domain uses it. Move those domains first.
5. Where Domain India fits
A Domain India VPS is self-managed, with full root access and a dedicated IPv4 address. DirectAdmin is available as an optional paid panel (₹600 a month on the live VPS page), and CyberPanel is a free option; cPanel is not offered on VPS. VPS Starter is ₹553 a month (Domain India list price on 19 September 2026, excluding 18% GST).
- 1 vCPU
- 2 GB DDR4 RAM
- 64 GB NVMe SSD Storage
- 2 TB Monthly Bandwidth
Frequently asked questions
How do I create ns1 and ns2 for my DirectAdmin VPS?
Register ns1 and ns2 of your domain as child name servers with your VPS IP addresses. For a domain registered with Domain India, open it in the client area, go to the Nameservers tab and expand Custom nameservers (glue records). Then set the same names as the server's nameservers in DirectAdmin's admin settings and add matching A records in the zone.
Can I use my own nameservers on DirectAdmin shared hosting?
No. A shared hosting account has no DNS server of your own, so branded nameservers would have nothing to point at. Use the hosting nameservers shown on your hosting service page.
Can ns1 and ns2 use the same IP address?
The registry usually accepts it, but it gives no redundancy: if that server is down, both nameservers are down. Use two different IP addresses where you can.
How long do new nameservers take to work?
Allow up to 24-48 hours for the change to reach every network. Check with dig or nslookup rather than a browser.
Does registering child name servers change my domain's nameservers?
No. It only creates the hosts at the registry. You still set each domain's nameservers to the new names and create a DNS zone for each domain on your server.
Ready to set it up? Read Registering and managing child name servers, compare VPS plans, or open a support ticket with your nameserver hostnames and IP addresses.
Send us the nameserver hostnames and your server's IP addresses, and we will help register them at the registry.
Open a support ticket