Moving to cPanel clustered DNS (cPanel DNS Only)

[Rahxie]

Hi,

I'm hoping to start using clustered DNS for cPanel rather than setting up different nameservers for each new server. Is it possible to do this when I've already started using the following setup:

ns1/ns2 - server 1
ns3/ns4 - server 2

These servers have normal shared and reseller clients so if possible I'd prefer to have no downtime with IP changes etc. I'm not sure if I'd be able to run clustered DNS alongside normal for a while though.. Any suggestions on the best way to do this?

[jdarow]

Yes you can do that.

Add two new DNS ONLY servers.

DNS ONLY Server #1 alpha
ns1/ns3

DNS ONLY Server #2 bravo
ns2/ns4

Make alpha and bravo dns slaves, where they don't forward dns changes.

Make your two other boxes (server1 & server2) fordward all dns changes to both alpha and bravo.

(you set all that up in WHM under cluster config)

Now change the IP addresses attached to your name servers with your registrar... and change your nameserver A records to reflect the new IP addresses. Server1 and Server2 can continue to serve dns requests during the propagation period. But offloading your dns traffic will eventually be an added benefit.

[Rahxie]

Thank you jdarow, just what I was looking for.

[cPanelDon]

After initial setup of DNS Clustering it will help to ensure the existing cPanel/WHM servers are each synchronized with the DNS ONLY servers; please refer to the following WHM menu path and accompanying documentation:
WHM: Main >> DNS Functions >> Synchronize DNS Records

I recommend reviewing the following documentation for additional reference information and further clarification:
WHM: Main >> Cluster/Remote Access >> Configure Cluster (Guide to DNS Cluster Configuration)

[oshs]

Yes you can do that.

Add two new DNS ONLY servers.

DNS ONLY Server #1 alpha
ns1/ns3

DNS ONLY Server #2 bravo
ns2/ns4

Make alpha and bravo dns slaves, where they don't forward dns changes.

Make your two other boxes (server1 & server2) fordward all dns changes to both alpha and bravo.

(you set all that up in WHM under cluster config)

Now change the IP addresses attached to your name servers with your registrar... and change your nameserver A records to reflect the new IP addresses. Server1 and Server2 can continue to serve dns requests during the propagation period. But offloading your dns traffic will eventually be an added benefit.

Hi,

I'd also recommend that you first change ns4, and test it works correctly, then ns2, and if all good, ns1 and ns3.

Just good practice to test using the secondary nameservers before actually switching your primary nameservers.