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How to Use a Different Nameserver for a Subdomain

This guide shows you how to send one subdomain to a different set of nameservers. The rest of your domain stays where it is.

Domains and DNS2 min read9 steps

What is a subdomain?

A subdomain is a front part added to your domain. For example, blog.yourdomain.com is a subdomain of yourdomain.com. It can be a separate website or service.

What is a nameserver?

A nameserver is a computer that knows where a website lives. It is like a signpost for visitors. Your main domain uses one set of signposts. With delegation, you can give a subdomain its own.

What is delegation?

Delegation means handing over control. You tell the internet, "For this subdomain, ask these other nameservers." It is like telling a customer to go to a different counter for one service.

When is this useful?

  • Another company runs the service on that subdomain.
  • You want to manage the subdomain's DNS records on a different platform.
Warning: Wrong records can break the subdomain. Write down the current records before you change anything.

Steps

  1. Get the nameservers of the other service. They look like ns1.otherhost.com and ns2.otherhost.com. The other company gives you these.
  2. Open the DNS zone editor for your main domain. A zone editor is the page where you add and change DNS records. In the Hostvento client area, look under your domain's DNS management. If you cannot find it, ask support.
  3. Choose to add a new record.
  4. Set the type to NS.
  5. In the name box, type only the subdomain part, such as blog.
  6. In the value box, type the first nameserver.
  7. Save the record.
  8. Repeat for the second nameserver.
  9. Remove any old A or CNAME record for the same subdomain. These can clash with the NS records.

Check it

nslookup -type=ns blog.yourdomain.com

This shows the nameservers for the subdomain. Changes can take up to 48 hours to spread.

Good to know

You cannot set nameservers for a subdomain in the domain registrar's nameserver page. That page controls only the main domain. Subdomain delegation is done with NS records in the main domain's DNS zone.

Quick recap

  • A subdomain is a front part added to your domain.
  • Delegation hands the subdomain to other nameservers.
  • Add two NS records in your main domain's DNS zone.
  • Remove clashing A or CNAME records.
  • Wait and test with nslookup.