What Is a Name Server & How Does It Work

A Name Server (NS) holds the Domain Name System (DNS) records to translate your Domain services request into IP Addresses. The diagram illustrates how this works in the most basic form:

The diagram shows that when a user enters mydomain.com in a browser, the Name Server translates this into an IP address, which is a string of numbers that points the system to where its corresponding data is stored. This data is retrieved and delivered to the user. In this process, the user only experiences two things: entering a Domain name in the browser, and seeing the website appear. A similar process happens when trying to access an email account.

There is, of course, a more intricate process happening in the background - that is through the Domain Name System (DNS). However, without the correct Name Server records, all other records will not be retrieved by the system, making them nonfunctional. This is why it is crucial for the Name Servers to be set to the correct NS records.

What Name Server Should I Use

Your Name Servers will depend on the AHBC Domains product that you have connected to your Domain.

To check your current Name Server and DNS records, check the instruction near the end of the page.

Keep in mind that where you make your future DNS updates will also depend on the Name Servers you have set. Refer to the table below for the correct records to use:

If you have :-

Domain registration with Standard DNS (A Parked Domain)

      • ns1.secureparkme.com
      • ns2.secureparkme.com

To update,

      1. Log in to your Account Manager.
      2. Click on "Domains" from the menu bar at the top of the screen.
      3. Click on the domain name you wish to update. If you have only one domain, you will be taken straight to the domain management page.
      4. Scroll down to the Name Servers – Hover over the server name and select Modify when it appears or use the menu (3 bars)

Domains registration with Premium DNS

      • ns1.dnspackage.com
      • ns2.dnspackage.com

To update,

      1. Log in to your Account Manager.
      2. Click on "Domains" from the menu bar at the top of the screen.
      3. Click on the domain name you wish to update. If you have only one domain, you will be taken straight to the domain management page.
      4. Scroll down to the Name Servers – Hover over the server name and select Modify when it appears or use the menu (3 bars)

Domains registrations and / or Hosting Services (Email Hosting, WordPress Hosting, Web Hosting)

      • ns1.syrahost.com
      • ns2.syrahost.com

To update

      1. Log in to your Hosting Manager.
      2. Click on "Domains" from the menu.

Changes Take Time

Name Servers are applied immediately but may take up to (2) two hours to propagate across the internet.

If you have created your Name Servers through the AHBC Account Manager and have seen no changes, please wait for this propagation to complete.

Otherwise, it is advised that you contact the AHBC for further assistance.

Why Two Name Servers

It's best to always have more than on Name Server (NS Records) just in case one of the Servers is down for maintenance.

If a single Name Server goes down, so doe all of the domain services including hosted email and website services.

Can I have two separate Name Services on my domain?

The purpose of having more than one Name Server on a domain is redundancy however each nameserver would be expected to contain the same records as its peers.

That being said, you can create other Name Servers (NS Records) for a subdomain and its children domains. Eg. subDomain.myDomain.com etc


DNS Services

Standard DNS

Standard DNS is FREE for all registered domain names with the AHBC. Unlike all other providers, we offer FREE DNS for all our customers. Once you register, you will get full control of the following records:

    • A Record
    • MX Records
    • CNAME Records
    • AAAA Records

Premium DNS

Premium DNS, on the other hand, offers much more than Standard DNS. It gives you a reliable and secure cloud service that utilises multiple locations to ensure your DNS hosting is the fastest possible. Premium DNS also includes advanced DDoS Protection, which means that you will have advanced safeguards against online attacks. In addition, it allows you to set all types of DNS Records and take complete control over your DNS within your Account Manager.

Premium DNS is recommended for all businesses and customers who seek topnotch security for their website.

If you intend to use products such as Google G Suite and Mailchimp you will need to register Premium DNS to verify domain ownership and to establish SPF and DKIM anti-spamming TXT records.

Premium DNS features include:

    • A Record
    • MX Records
    • CNAME Records
    • AAAA Records
    • SRV Records
    • TXT Records
    • Auto domain setup for large range of popular apps
    • Web Forwarding
    • Email Forwarding
    • Anycast Network
    • SLA Guarantee
    • DNSSEC Signing
    • ISO Certified
    • IPv4/IPv6 Support

Check your NS and DNS records

If you are not sure what Name Servers (NS) are connected to your domain, simply use a NS Lookup tool such as the one on this page. Click the image or button to access https://centralops.net/co/NsLookup.aspx

Enter your domain name without a subdomain or hosting name such a www etc to view all root level DNS records. Eg. mydomain.com.au is the root domain name.

To see other associated records enter the subdomain name / hosting name along with the domain name. Eg. www.mydomain.com.au

Set Query type to "ANY" unless you wish to filter the response.

Leave all other settings as shown.

Your Name Server will appear in the results as Type NS.

The sample below shows the Name Servers used by the AHBC domain are

    • ns1.dnspackage.com
    • ns2.dnspackage.com