VPS & Dedicated Hosting: How to Set Up Custom Name Servers

Custom name servers must manage multiple cPanel accounts on a VPS and a Dedicated Hosting plan. This guide walks through how to set up Custom Name Servers, ensuring your domains point correctly and reliably to your server.

• When to Use Custom Name Servers
• Set Up Custom Name Servers
• Register Custom Nameservers with a Third-Party Domain
• Summary

When to Use Custom Name Servers

If you're hosting multiple websites or reselling web hosting through WHM, setting up private (custom) name servers gives your hosting environment a more professional appearance and full DNS control.

Set Up Custom Name Servers

• Add the Custom Nameservers
• Set Custom A Records for Nameservers

Add the Custom Nameservers

1. Log in to your Bluehost Account Manager.
2. Click the Domains tab on the left navigation menu.
   
   • If you only have one domain in your account, the Domain Overview panel will be displayed immediately.
     
   • If your account has multiple domains, click on the domain you want to manage to access its management panel. You can also use the Search box to find the domain.
     
3. From the Domain Overview page, click the Nameservers tab.
   
4. At the bottom of the Nameservers page, locate the Custom Nameservers section and click the +ADD button.
   
5. A pop-up window will appear for you to input the details of your custom nameservers.
   
6. Once the details are added, click the ADD button to complete the process.
   
7. A confirmation banner will appear at the top once the new custom nameservers are added properly.
   

Set Custom A Records for Nameservers

If not already done, you must point these custom nameservers to your server's IP address.

1. From the Domain Overview page, click the DNS tab.
2. In Manage Advanced DNS Records, click the + ADD RECORD button.
   
3. You can either add Single or Multiple Advanced DNS records.
   • If you choose the Single record option, you can only add one DNS record at a time.
     1. Select the record type and enter its values.
   • If you choose the Multiple records option, you can add one or more DNS records.
     1. Select the record type from the dropdown.
     2. Click CONTINUE, then the ADD MORE RECORDS button to add more DNS records.
4. Enter:
   • Name: ns1 / ns2
   • Value: your server's IP address
   • TTL: default or 14400
5. Save the record.

Register Custom Nameservers with a Third-Party Domain

If your domain is registered outside Bluehost, you must register these nameservers through your registrar's dashboard. This process varies, so here are some helpful links:

• GoDaddy: Edit My Domain Name Servers
• Namecheap: How do I register personal nameservers for my domain?
• Domain.com: Domain Management: How To Update Nameservers

Summary

Correctly setting up custom name servers is critical to ensuring full control and branding for your VPS and Dedicated Hosting Hosting environment. From configuring A records to updating third-party registrar settings, following these steps guarantees reliable DNS routing and a polished, professional domain setup.