deSEC Hurricane Electric DNS

Migrate DNS from deSEC to Hurricane Electric.

Preview every record before anything is written, then apply, verify and cut over with a way back at each step.

Free preview. Read-only. Nothing changes until you apply.

What works differently

Generated from the same provider capability data the migration engine uses.

We're still verifying Hurricane Electric.

Record-type support and limits for Hurricane Electric haven't been confirmed against the official API yet, so this page doesn't list differences we can't stand behind. Run the free check on your domain to see how your records compare.

How the move works

1
Connect deSEC
Connect deSEC with read-only access (API token).
2
Connect Hurricane Electric
Connect Hurricane Electric (Account username + password (+ TOTP)). Write access is only used when you apply.
3
Review the preview
Check every record marked Review or Unsupported. Each one explains what changes and why.
4
Apply to Hurricane Electric
We snapshot the Hurricane Electric zone, write in batches, and leave deSEC untouched.
5
Verify
We query Hurricane Electric's own nameservers for every record and compare the answers before you switch.
6
Switch nameservers
Lower TTLs a day or two ahead, remove any DS record if DNSSEC is on, then point the domain at the new nameservers at your registrar.

Good to know about deSEC

The minimum TTL is 3600 seconds for most domains (deSEC sets it per domain) and the maximum is 86400.
ALIAS/ANAME records and apex CNAMEs aren't supported; use A/AAAA or HTTPS records at the apex.
Every zone is DNSSEC-signed automatically. Give the DS records to your registrar to complete the chain.

Access we need: Any token can read all RRsets. Applying needs write permission on the RRsets (token policies can restrict it); creating zones needs perm_create_domain.

Good to know about Hurricane Electric

Hurricane Electric has no official DNS API. Tools such as DNSControl drive the dns.he.net web interface with the account password, which DNSMigrator does not do yet.
Dynamic DNS records keep their own update keys, which can't be read back and must be set again after a move.

Access we need: Hurricane Electric has no API keys or scoped roles; access means full control of the whole account.

Questions

Will there be downtime moving from deSEC to Hurricane Electric?

Not if both providers serve the same answers during the switch. The records are copied to Hurricane Electric and verified before you change nameservers, so resolvers get the same answer from either side while caches expire.

Do I have to delete anything at deSEC?

No. We never write to deSEC. Keep the old zone for a week after cutover so you can switch back instantly if anything looks wrong.

What about DNSSEC?

If DNSSEC is on, remove the DS record at your registrar and wait for it to expire before switching nameservers. Then enable DNSSEC at Hurricane Electric and publish its new DS record. The cutover plan walks you through each step.

Ready to see your own zone?

Start a free preview