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betaDNS betaCloud platformSetup guide checked 2026-09-27

Rackspace Cloud DNS

Rackspace API key setup: create a dedicated Rackspace Cloud user, assign the exact Cloud DNS product role, and retrieve its username and API key.

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Rackspace API key permissions

Credential type
Username and API key
Preview access
Observer (`dnsaas:observer`)
Apply access
Admin (`dnsaas:admin`)
API endpoint
DNSMigrator uses the provider's fixed API endpoint.

Additional access

Creator (`dnsaas:creator`) cannot delete domains or records, so it is not sufficient for apply plans that include deletions.

DNSControl id

This provider does not have a DNSControl id.

Create credentials

Create a dedicated Rackspace Cloud user, assign the exact Cloud DNS product role, and retrieve its username and API key.

Access you'll grant

Preview

Observer (dnsaas:observer)

Apply

Admin (dnsaas:admin)

Creator (dnsaas:creator) cannot delete domains or records, so it is not sufficient for apply plans that include deletions.

Before you start

  • A Rackspace Cloud account with Cloud DNS available in its service catalog.
  • Account-owner or administrator access to create users and assign product roles.

Setup steps

0 of 6 done

  1. Create a dedicated user

    Sign in to the Rackspace portal and open Account → User Management → Create New User. Create a separate user for DNSMigrator rather than sharing the account owner's key.

  2. Assign the Cloud DNS role

    Assign the product-specific Cloud DNS Observer role for preview only, or Admin for apply. Do not choose Creator for apply because it lacks delete permission.

    Preview rolednsaas:observer
    Apply rolednsaas:admin
  3. Open the user's API key

    As an administrator, open Account → User Management → the username → Rackspace API Key → Show. Alternatively, sign in as that user and open My Profile & Settings → Security Settings → Rackspace API Key → Show.

  4. Copy the username and API key

    Copy the exact Rackspace username and the displayed API key. Unlike many provider secrets, a Rackspace API key remains viewable until it is reset.

  5. Choose a domain contact email

    Optionally enter SOA contact email for the SOA contact used only when DNSMigrator creates a domain. If blank, the connector uses hostmaster@<domain>.

  6. Enter the Rackspace credentials

    Paste the values into Cloud username, API key and optional SOA contact email here. DNSMigrator exchanges them with Rackspace Identity and discovers the Cloud DNS endpoint automatically.

Troubleshooting

Rackspace rejects the username or API key

Make sure the key belongs to the entered Cloud username, not another account user. If the key was reset, retrieve the current value.

Rackspace returns no usable Cloud DNS endpoint

Confirm that Cloud DNS is enabled for the account and appears in the authenticated user's service catalog.

Preview works but deletion fails

Observer is read-only and Creator cannot delete. Assign Admin (dnsaas:admin) for a destination connection.

Domain creation rejects the SOA contact

Enter a valid email address, or leave the optional field blank to use hostmaster@<domain>.

Official documentation

Guide checked against the official documentation on .

Credential fields

FieldRequirementWhere to find it
Cloud usernameusernameRequiredThe exact username of the Rackspace Cloud user that owns the API key.
API keyapiKeyRequiredThe value shown under Rackspace API Key; it remains viewable until reset.
SOA contact emailemailAddressOptionalOptional SOA contact used only when creating a domain; blank defaults to hostmaster@<domain>.

Capabilities

Create zones
Yes
List zones
Yes
DNSSEC
Not available through this connection
Minimum TTL
300 seconds
Apex CNAME
No
Read only
No

Record types

  • A
  • AAAA
  • CNAME
  • MX
  • NS
  • SRV
  • TXT

Caveats

  • Apex NS and SOA records are managed by Rackspace and can't be changed.
  • PTR records are only managed through Rackspace's reverse-DNS API for its own cloud devices, so they aren't migrated.
  • TTLs below 300 seconds are raised to 300.
  • Rackspace removes quote and backslash characters from TXT data.
  • Changes run as asynchronous Rackspace jobs; we wait for each job to finish, so large plans take longer.
  • New domains use the connection's SOA contact email, or hostmaster@<domain> when none is set.
  • Subdomains that Rackspace hosts as separate domains are listed as their own zones.

Troubleshooting

Rackspace rejects the username or API key
Make sure the key belongs to the entered Cloud username, not another account user. If the key was reset, retrieve the current value.
Rackspace returns no usable Cloud DNS endpoint
Confirm that Cloud DNS is enabled for the account and appears in the authenticated user's service catalog.
Preview works but deletion fails
Observer is read-only and Creator cannot delete. Assign Admin (dnsaas:admin) for a destination connection.
Domain creation rejects the SOA contact
Enter a valid email address, or leave the optional field blank to use hostmaster@<domain>.