Nameservers overview

A nameserver is a DNS server that translates domain names into IP addresses. Nameservers store and organise DNS records, each pairing a domain with one or more IP addresses. These servers bridge between domain names, which humans can remember, and IP addresses, which computers can process.

Your domain’s nameservers control where all of its DNS records are managed. If you set your domain to Z.com’s nameservers, your domain will automatically use the DNS records configured in your Z.com cPanel. However, if your nameservers are pointed to a different company, you must log into their cPanel to manage your DNS settings.

Nameservers, in short, arrange the traffic direction all over the internet. When you search a domain name in the browser search bar, the browser begins to process the website you are searching and locate the correct web server. The nameserver will serve as a guide for the browser to locate the correct server to where your website is hosted.

Benefits of directing my nameservers toward Z.com

Managing your domain nameservers pointed to Z.com default settings will give you flexibility to adapt system changes/updates. Any DNS changes, your DNS will automatically be resolved and your website will adapt/use the new DNS information that may minimize server propagation and limit downtime due to DNS migration.

Example: If your website is hosted to another server, the domain will automatically resolve to the new IP when you are using Z.com Nameserver. However, if your nameserver is pointed elsewhere and your website hosted at Z.com changes IP, then your domain’s A records to where you are managing your DNS may need to be updated to the new server’s IP.

Note: Nameserver controls your entire DNS information. This includes MX(Mail), TXT, A Records, etc. This is the most convenient way to point your domain to your website and email server provider.

When changes happen it can take up to 48 hours before DNS resolves to the new host company.

You can only set a Nameserver to your primary domain, thus should you wish to point your subdomain you may need to create A record on your DNS table to point your subdomain to the hosting provider.

Nameserver propagation

Nameserver settings need up to 24 to 48 hours to propagate. Updates can take effect as early as 1 hour, but full propagation and resolution of the DNS changes worldwide may take up to 48 hours.

Z.com’s nameservers

By default, when you register your domain with us (Z.com), your domain will use our default nameserver.

If your domain is registered elsewhere and you have web hosting with us, you can link your domain to our server by logging into your current registrar’s dashboard and updating your nameservers to point to Z.com.

Z.com Default Nameserver

ns-wh1.web.z.com
ns-wh2.web.z.com

How to check your domain nameserver settings

If you are unsure and you want to check your domain nameserver setting visit https://lookup.icann.org/, type your domain name and it will display your nameserver settings.