What is secondary DNS

Primary and secondary DNS

The primary DNS is the server where the main zone for the domain is maintained. The secondary DNS, also called slave DNS, keeps an authoritative copy and publishes it from another server.

This lets the domain have more than one DNS server answering for the same zone.

Why it can be useful

Secondary DNS is useful if you already manage the primary DNS yourself but want an additional server outside your own infrastructure.

It can also help satisfy technical requirements for some domains, distribute DNS queries, or keep DNS responses available if the primary server is temporarily unavailable.

You do not need to move the domain

Ordering secondary DNS does not mean transferring the domain or changing who manages the registration.

The domain can be registered at PRIMARI.NET or with another provider. The primary DNS can also be managed by you or by another system. The secondary DNS service only needs to copy the zone from the authorized primary DNS.

How it works at PRIMARI.NET

At PRIMARI.NET you can order secondary DNS as an independent service, without ordering domain registration, web hosting, email or primary DNS.

In the panel you enter the domain and the primary DNS server or servers from which PRIMARI.NET should copy the zone. Then you activate the changes so the service is prepared.

What to configure outside PRIMARI.NET

On your primary DNS, you must allow the PRIMARI.NET secondary server to perform zone transfers. Then the domain nameservers must also include the secondary server.

If you do not know where nameservers are changed, or whether your primary DNS allows AXFR transfers, PRIMARI.NET can help you review it.

Price and ordering

Secondary DNS is usually a simple, low-cost service. To avoid outdated information, always check the current panel price list before ordering it.