What is UnderDNS? UnderHost's own DNS network
UnderDNS is UnderHost's authoritative DNS service (ns1.underdns.net and ns2.underdns.net), free for UnderHost clients. What it does, who it is for, how it compares to registrar DNS, cPanel DNS and Cloudflare, and how to start using it.
UnderHost NOC
Network Operations
On this page
UnderDNS is UnderHost's own DNS network. It hosts the DNS records of your domains (where your website, email and other services live) on nameservers run by UnderHost, and you manage every record directly from CustomerPanel.
Every domain needs authoritative nameservers: the servers the rest of the internet asks "where is this domain's website?" and "where should its email go?". Until now that was usually your registrar's DNS, your hosting server's DNS (cPanel) or a third party such as Cloudflare. UnderDNS gives you one place for all of them, whatever registrar the domain is with.
The UnderDNS nameservers
| Nameserver | Location | Role |
|---|---|---|
ns1.underdns.net | Canada | Primary: every change is made here first |
ns2.underdns.net | Singapore | Secondary: receives each change automatically, within seconds |
Both nameservers answer for every domain, so your domain keeps resolving if one location has a problem. They are on separate networks on two continents.
Why use UnderDNS
- Free for UnderHost clients. No extra cost per domain or per record.
- Managed in CustomerPanel. Records are edited on the domain's DNS Management page, next to your invoices, services and tickets. No separate account.
- Changes are live in seconds. A saved record is served by both nameservers almost immediately. (Resolvers that already cached the old value keep it until its TTL runs out.)
- Any registrar. Domains registered with UnderHost or elsewhere can use UnderDNS: you only point the nameservers at it.
- Safe move. Your current records are copied first, you review them, and only then do the nameservers switch. See How to move your domain's DNS to UnderDNS.
- All common record types. A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT (SPF, DKIM, DMARC, verification codes), SRV, CAA and NS for subdomains.
- Supported by the same team. If something looks wrong, UnderHost support can see the zone and help directly.
UnderDNS vs other DNS options
| Option | Good for | Keep in mind |
|---|---|---|
| UnderDNS | Most domains: one place for website, email and verification records, any registrar | Registrar extras (email forwarding, URL redirects) stop working, because they depend on the registrar's DNS |
| cPanel / hosting server DNS | Sites on a cPanel plan: cPanel creates mail, DKIM and SSL records for you | Records live on that one server; moving hosts means moving DNS too |
| Registrar DNS | Parked domains, registrar email forwarding or URL redirects | Managed at the registrar, separate from your hosting |
| Cloudflare | Sites that need the Cloudflare proxy/CDN or its firewall | Moving to UnderDNS turns the Cloudflare proxy off for that domain |
When to keep your current DNS
If the domain is on a cPanel hosting plan and uses the server's nameservers, cPanel manages its mail, DKIM and SSL records automatically. Keep it there unless support asked you to move it. If you do move it, import the zone file from cPanel → Zone Editor so nothing is missed.
- You rely on the registrar's email forwarding or URL redirect features.
- You need Cloudflare's proxy, CDN or web application firewall for the site.
- Another provider (for example a managed email service) requires its own nameservers.
How to start
-
Open the domain in CustomerPanel
Log in to customerpanel.ca, go to Domains → My Domains and click the domain.
-
Choose DNS Management
The page offers three ways to bring your records over: scan your current DNS, import a zone file, or start empty.
-
Review, then switch the nameservers
Check the records, create the zone, then switch the domain's nameservers to
ns1.underdns.netandns2.underdns.net. The full walkthrough is in How to move your domain's DNS to UnderDNS.
FAQ
ns1.underdns.net and ns2.underdns.net. See How to change your domain's nameservers.ns1.underdns.net and ns2.underdns.net.Related: How to move your domain's DNS to UnderDNS | Managing DNS records on UnderDNS | How to change your domain's nameservers | DNS record types explained
Ready to move a domain?
Open your domain in CustomerPanel and choose DNS Management. Nothing changes until you review your records and confirm.
