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DNSmigrator

GoDaddy DNS UltraDNS (DigiCert)

Migrate DNS from GoDaddy to UltraDNS.

8 record types move as they are. Nothing else needs special handling.

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

GoDaddy to UltraDNS DNS migration differences

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

Moves as-is

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

A straightforward move.

Every record type GoDaddy supports has a direct equivalent at UltraDNS.

A typical GoDaddy zone at UltraDNS

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

GoDaddy UltraDNS

  • ExactA@

    192.0.2.50

  • 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.

  • ExactCNAMEftp

    example.com.

  • ExactCNAMEwww

    example.com.

Set up the connections

Use the provider-specific credential guides before you preview, then keep the migration checklist beside the cutover plan.

How the move works

  1. 1

    Connect GoDaddy

    Connect GoDaddy with read-only access (Production API key + secret).

  2. 2

    Connect UltraDNS

    Connect UltraDNS (API user name and password (OAuth password grant)). 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 UltraDNS

    We snapshot the UltraDNS zone, write in batches, and leave GoDaddy untouched.

  5. 5

    Verify

    We query UltraDNS'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 GoDaddy

  • DS records can't be changed through GoDaddy's v1 API, so DNSSEC is handled in their dashboard.
  • GoDaddy's DNS API is limited to qualifying accounts. If yours isn't one, export the zone file and we'll use that.
  • The minimum TTL is 600 seconds.
  • Domain forwarding is a GoDaddy web feature, not a DNS record, and isn't migrated.

Access we need: GoDaddy only grants DNS API access to qualifying accounts. Otherwise, export a zone file.

Good to know about UltraDNS

  • Traffic-management pools (SiteBacker, Traffic Controller, Directional and Simple Load Balancing) are copied as plain answers and flagged; we never change or delete them on UltraDNS.
  • Resource Distribution pools keep their pool settings when we update their answers.
  • ALIAS is written as UltraDNS Apex Alias, which only works at the zone apex, can't coexist with both A and AAAA at the apex, and can't be used in statically signed zones.
  • SOA, apex NS and system-generated records (such as Valimail DMARC records) are managed by UltraDNS and left untouched.
  • Web Forwards and secondary or alias zones aren't migrated; secondary and alias zones are read-only.
  • UltraDNS locks an account after repeated failed logins, so double-check the password before retrying.

Access we need: Create a dedicated API-only user in a group limited to DNS operations (the built-in TECHNICAL group, or a custom group with DNS read and write). A REPORTING or ungrouped user is enough for a read-only preview. The REST API doesn't support multi-factor login, so MFA must be off for this user.

Questions

Will there be downtime moving from GoDaddy to UltraDNS?

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

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

Related migrations

Ready to see your own zone?

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