Converting between CNAME, A, and ALIAS record types

When using the NS1 platform or querying against our API you may find the need to change between record types while keeping the same name/configuration.

CNAME ➜ A

To convert a CNAME TO AN A record, simply create a new A record with the desired config and same domain name. Once you create an A record, we will start answering with that as soon as it propagates to our systems. Once the new A record is in place you can go ahead and delete the CNAME record.

A ➜ CNAME

To convert an A to a CNAME record, simply create a new CNAME record with the desired config and same domain name. After creation, You may delete the A record from the zone. Once the A record is deleted our name servers will begin responding with the CNAME record.

ALIAS ➜ CNAME, A

Our special type ALIAS records can also be converted to A or CNAME records as well. ALIAS records works like a CNAME but can be safely used at the Zone Apex because it always resolves to A (or AAAA) record(s). To convert a ALIAS record to an A or CNAME type, simply create a new CNAME/A record with the desired config and same domain name. Once the new CNAME/A record is in place you can go ahead and delete the ALIAS record.

Type A, CNAME and ALIAS records should not coexist at the apex level. This configuration is not RFC-compliant and is guaranteed to produce unpredictable behavior by resolvers when querying against NS1 name servers. Unless you are querying against us directly and indicating a specific type, responses may vary. If you do not indicate a record type, we typically respond with the following procedure A > ALIAS > CNAME.

After creating the new record type, you must wait at least five minutes before deleting the old one. If anyone queries the record before it is exists in the NS1 system, they will receive an NXDOMAIN response will be cached for about five minutes as an anti-DDoS measure.