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dnsmigrator

NextDNS rewrites deSEC

Migrate DNS from NextDNS to deSEC.

3 record types move as they are. 2 things work differently at deSEC, 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

Apex CNAMEs need a different shape

deSEC doesn't allow a CNAME at the apex and has no alias record for external hostnames. These become static A/AAAA records, which don't follow the target if its IPs change.

TTLs below 3600s are raised

deSEC's minimum TTL is 3600 seconds. Shorter TTLs are raised to 3600s and shown as translated.

A typical NextDNS zone at deSEC

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

NextDNS deSEC

  • TranslatedA@

    192.0.2.70

    TTL 300s is outside the allowed range. Set to 3600s.

  • TranslatedAAAA@

    2001:db8::70

    TTL 300s is outside the allowed range. Set to 3600s.

  • 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 NextDNS

    Connect NextDNS with read-only access (API key + profile ID).

  2. 2

    Connect deSEC

    Connect deSEC (API 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 deSEC

    We snapshot the deSEC zone, write in batches, and leave NextDNS untouched.

  5. 5

    Verify

    We query deSEC'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 NextDNS

  • NextDNS is a filtering resolver, not an authoritative DNS host: only the profile's rewrites are managed, and they answer only for devices that use that profile.
  • Rewrites map a name to an IP address (A/AAAA) or another name (CNAME); MX, TXT, SRV, CAA and all other types cannot be migrated, and rewrites have no TTL setting.
  • Zones are grouped from rewrite names (a rewrite for example.com also covers www.example.com rewrites); there are no nameservers to delegate to.

Access we need: The account API key (X-Api-Key). NextDNS keys cannot be scoped or made read-only, so the same key is used for preview and apply.

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.

Questions

Will there be downtime moving from NextDNS to deSEC?

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

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

Related migrations

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