Delegate a Subdomain from an UltraDNS Parent Domain

This article explains how to delegate a subdomain from a parent domain that is managed in UltraDNS. 

Use this process when the parent domain remains in UltraDNS, but DNS authority for a subdomain needs to be delegated either to another DNS provider or to a separate child domain created in UltraDNS.

When to Use This Article

• You need another DNS provider to answer DNS queries for a subdomain of an UltraDNS-managed parent domain.
• You need to create a child domain as a separate Primary domain in UltraDNS.
• You need to add NS records in the parent domain for the delegated subdomain.

Before You Begin

Name Server (NS) records identify the authoritative DNS servers for a zone. 

To delegate a subdomain, add NS records for the subdomain in the parent domain.

You need the target name server values before creating the delegation. 

If the subdomain is being delegated to another DNS provider, use the name servers provided by that DNS provider. 

If the subdomain will be created as a separate Primary domain in UltraDNS, use the UltraDNS name servers assigned to the parent domain.

Option 1: Delegate a Subdomain Away from UltraDNS

Use this option when the parent domain is managed in UltraDNS, but another DNS provider will be authoritative for the subdomain.

1. Log in to UltraDNS.
2. Click Domains.
3. Click the parent domain.
4. Scroll to the Nameserver section.
5. Click Add.
6. In the hostname field, enter the subdomain label that you want to delegate.
7. In the name server field, enter the authoritative name server provided by the other DNS provider.
8. Enter a TTL value, or leave the field blank to use the default value of 86400.
9. Click Save And Add Another if you need to add another name server for the same subdomain.
10. Repeat the process until all required name servers have been added.
11. Click Save when finished.

Option 2: Create a Child Domain in UltraDNS

Use this option when the parent domain is managed in UltraDNS and the subdomain will also be managed in UltraDNS as a separate Primary domain.

1. Log in to UltraDNS.
2. Click Domains.
3. Click the parent domain.
4. Scroll to the Nameserver section.
5. Click Add.
6. In the hostname field, enter the subdomain label that will be created as a separate Primary domain.
7. In the name server field, enter one of the UltraDNS name servers assigned to the parent domain.
8. Enter a TTL value, or leave the field blank to use the default value of 86400.
9. Click Save And Add Another.
10. Repeat the process for each UltraDNS name server assigned to the parent domain.
11. Click Save after all required NS records have been added.
12. Create the child domain in UltraDNS as a new Primary domain.

Expected Outcome

The parent domain contains NS records that delegate authority for the subdomain.

DNS resolvers can then follow the delegation to the name servers configured for the child domain or external DNS provider.

Important Notes

• Do not use a CNAME record to delegate a subdomain. 
• Delegation requires NS records.
• If the delegated subdomain is managed by another DNS provider, create and maintain the subdomain records with that provider.
• If the delegated subdomain is created as a separate Primary domain in UltraDNS, create and maintain the subdomain records inside that child domain.