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dnsmigrator

DNSimple DigitalOcean DNS

Migrate DNS from DNSimple to DigitalOcean.

8 record types move as they are. 2 things work differently at DigitalOcean, and the preview shows exactly which of your records they affect.

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

What works differently

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

Moves as-is

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

Alias records are converted

DNSimple alias records become CNAMEs below the apex. At the apex they need static addresses, and the preview shows which ones.

A typical DNSimple zone at DigitalOcean

Example records for example.com. Open any flagged row to read why it changed.

DNSimple DigitalOcean

  • ExactA@

    192.0.2.70

  • ExactAAAA@

    2001:db8::70

  • ExactMX@

    10 mx1.mail.example.net. +1

  • ExactTXT@

    "v=spf1 include:_spf.example.net -all"

  • ExactCAA@

    0 issue "letsencrypt.org"

  • ExactTXT_dmarc

    "v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:dmarc@example.com"

  • ExactSRV_sip._tls

    100 1 443 sip.example.net.

  • ExactCNAMEwww

    example.com.

How the move works

  1. 1

    Connect DNSimple

    Connect DNSimple with read-only access (Account API access token).

  2. 2

    Connect DigitalOcean

    Connect DigitalOcean (Personal access token (custom scopes)). Write access is only used when you apply.

  3. 3

    Review the preview

    Check every record marked Review or Unsupported. Each one explains what changes and why.

  4. 4

    Apply to DigitalOcean

    We snapshot the DigitalOcean zone, write in batches, and leave DNSimple untouched.

  5. 5

    Verify

    We query DigitalOcean's own nameservers for every record and compare the answers before you switch.

  6. 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 DNSimple

  • Add the domain to your DNSimple account before migrating; zones can't be created through this connection.
  • Apex NS and SOA records are managed by DNSimple and can't be changed.
  • ALIAS, URL and some record types depend on your DNSimple plan.

Access we need: DNSimple tokens can't be limited to read-only. Use an account token (not a user token) so access is confined to one account.

Good to know about DigitalOcean

  • DigitalOcean nameservers don't support DNSSEC, so turn DNSSEC off at the registrar before switching to them.
  • TXT records are limited to roughly 500 characters in total and can't contain backslashes.
  • CAA records can't use a bare ";" value or CA parameters such as "letsencrypt.org; accounturi=…".

Access we need: domain:read for the preview; domain:read, domain:create, domain:update and domain:delete to apply.

Questions

Will there be downtime moving from DNSimple to DigitalOcean?

Not if both providers serve the same answers during the switch. The records are copied to DigitalOcean 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 DNSimple?

No. We never write to DNSimple. 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 DigitalOcean and publish its new DS record. The cutover plan walks you through each step.

Related migrations

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