Getting Started with DNS in smoxy

With smoxy’s integrated DNS management, you can fully and reliably manage your domains directly from the smoxy platform. In this guide, we’ll show you how to:

1. Add a domain

2. Configure nameservers

3. Manage DNS records

4. Import existing DNS zones

Note: You can also use smoxy purely as a DNS management solution – independently of the Image Optimization, Acceleration, or Security packages.

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1. Add a domain to smoxy

1. Open the smoxy interface and go to Domains & DNS.

2. Click + Add Domain.

3. Enter your domain (e.g., example.com) and confirm with Continue.

4. Select the DNS option.

Your domain will now appear in the overview. In the next step, you’ll see the smoxy nameservers that must be set at your domain registrar.

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2. Migrate DNS records (Important!)

Before switching nameservers, make sure all important DNS records from your existing zone are copied into smoxy. This avoids interruptions for email, websites, or other services.

Here's how to proceed:

Option A: Import via zone file (BIND format)

If your current DNS provider allows you to export a zone file, you can easily upload it to smoxy:

1. In smoxy, go to the affected domain under Domains & DNS → Add DNS Records.

2. Click Import in the top right corner.

3. Select the TXT file in BIND format from your system.

4. smoxy will read the file and automatically create all valid records in the zone.

Tip: You’ll usually find the zone file export under “DNS Export,” “Zone File Export,” or similar at your current DNS provider.

Note: Not all providers allow full exports. Double-check your records after import.

Option B: Manual entry

If you cannot export a zone file, you can manually transfer the most important records:

1. Click + Add DNS Record.

2. Choose type, name, TTL, and target.

3. Save – done.

Key DNS records to migrate:

Type	Purpose	Example
A	IP address of your website	192.0.2.1
MX	Email delivery	mail.yourdomain.com
TXT	SPF/DKIM/verification	v=spf1 include:…
CNAME	Subdomains (e.g., www)	yourdomain.com

NS records in import

• Subdomain NS records (e.g., sub.example.com) are recognized and imported.

• Apex NS records (e.g., example.com) are ignored, since smoxy provides the authoritative nameservers for the domain.

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3. Set nameservers at your registrar

Once all DNS records have been imported or manually added in smoxy, you can switch the nameservers. This makes smoxy the authoritative DNS provider for your domain.

Here’s how:

1. In smoxy, open the respective domain.

2. Switch to the Nameservers tab (next to DNS Records).

3. You’ll see two nameservers to copy – for example:

Steps and screenshots vary by registrar. Here are some helpful guides:

• GoDaddy: https://www.godaddy.com/help/edit-my-domain-nameservers-664

• Namecheap: https://www.namecheap.com/support/knowledgebase/article.aspx/767/10/how-to-change-dns-for-a-domain/

• Domain.com: https://www.domain.com/help/article/domain-management-how-to-update-nameservers

• United Domains: https://www.united-domains.de/help/faq-article/wie-lasse-ich-nameserver-fur-meine-domain-eintragen/

• Strato: https://www.strato.de/faq/domains/wie-kann-ich-bei-strato-meine-dns-eintraege-verwalten/#nsrecord

Note: Propagation can take 24–48 hours. During this period, availability may be temporarily affected.

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4. Done!

Once all DNS records are set up in smoxy and the nameserver change has fully propagated, your domain is active and completely reachable via smoxy.

You don’t need to restart or confirm anything – changes take effect automatically. From now on, you can manage and adjust your DNS zone anytime within smoxy.