Google Cloud DNS Name.com
Migrate DNS from Cloud DNS to Name.com.
7 record types move as they are. 3 things work differently at Name.com, 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
Routing policies are flattened
CAA, PTR, DS, HTTPS, SVCB, TLSA, SSHFP, NAPTR aren't available
TTLs below 300s are raised
A typical Cloud DNS zone at Name.com
Example records for example.com. Open any flagged row to read why it changed.
Cloud DNS Name.com
- ExactA@
192.0.2.40
- ExactMX@
10 mx1.mail.example.net. +1
- ExactTXT@
"v=spf1 include:_spf.example.net -all"
- UnsupportedCAA@
Not migrated
Name.com doesn't support CAA records through its API.
- ExactTXT_dmarc
"v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:dmarc@example.com"
- ExactSRV_sip._tls
100 1 443 sip.example.net.
- ReviewAeu
192.0.2.41 +1
Geo routing isn't available at the destination. All 2 answers are served together as simple round-robin.
- ExactCNAMEwww
example.com.
| Status | Type | Name | At Name.com | TTL | Details |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Exact | A | @ |
| 5m | |
| Exact | MX | @ |
| 1h | |
| Exact | TXT | @ |
| 1h | |
| Unsupported | CAA | @ | Not migrated | — | |
| Exact | TXT | _dmarc |
| 1h | |
| Exact | SRV | _sip._tls |
| 1h | |
| Review | A | eu |
| 5m | |
| Exact | CNAME | www |
| 1h |
How the move works
- 1
Connect Cloud DNS
Connect Cloud DNS with read-only access (Service account key (JSON)).
- 2
Connect Name.com
Connect Name.com (Username + API token (Core API, HTTP Basic)). 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 Name.com
We snapshot the Name.com zone, write in batches, and leave Cloud DNS untouched.
- 5
Verify
We query Name.com'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 Cloud DNS
- Routing policies (weighted round robin, geolocation, failover) don't carry over to most providers.
- Apex CNAMEs are not allowed.
Access we need: roles/dns.reader for the preview, roles/dns.admin to apply.
Good to know about Name.com
- Only A, AAAA, ANAME, CNAME, MX, NS, SRV and TXT records are supported (no CAA or PTR).
- The minimum TTL is 300 seconds and TXT values are limited to about 512 characters.
- Only domains registered at Name.com can be managed, and apex NS records follow the domain's nameservers.
Access we need: Name.com API tokens are account-wide with no read-only scope; the same token is used for preview and apply.
Questions
Will there be downtime moving from Cloud DNS to Name.com?
Not if both providers serve the same answers during the switch. The records are copied to Name.com 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 Cloud DNS?
No. We never write to Cloud DNS. 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 Name.com and publish its new DS record. The cutover plan walks you through each step.
Ready to see your own zone?
Start a free preview