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Akamai Cloud (Linode) DNS DNSimple

Migrate DNS from Linode to DNSimple.

9 record types move as they are. 1 things work differently at DNSimple, 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
  • PTR

TTLs below 60s are raised

DNSimple's minimum TTL is 60 seconds. Shorter TTLs are raised to 60s and shown as translated.

A typical Linode zone at DNSimple

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

Linode DNSimple

  • 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 Linode

    Connect Linode with read-only access (Personal access token).

  2. 2

    Connect DNSimple

    Connect DNSimple (Account API access token). 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 DNSimple

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

  5. 5

    Verify

    We query DNSimple'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 Linode

  • Linode only accepts fixed TTLs (30s, 2m, 5m, 1h, 2h, 4h, 8h, 16h, 1d, 2d, 4d, 1w, 2w, 4w). Other values are rounded up.
  • CAA records always have flag 0 and only the issue, issuewild and iodef tags.
  • Linode DNS Manager doesn't support DNSSEC, so turn it off at the registrar before switching nameservers.

Access we need: Domains: Read Only for the preview; Domains: Read/Write to apply.

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.

Questions

Will there be downtime moving from Linode to DNSimple?

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

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

Ready to see your own zone?

Start a free preview