Domain Modes (Managed vs External)
nsin connects to your domain in two modes:
- Managed DNS — nsin runs your DNS. Easiest.
- External DNS — you keep DNS at your provider and point it at nsin.
Switch modes later in domain settings.
Quick comparison
Section titled “Quick comparison”| Managed DNS | External DNS | |
|---|---|---|
| Who runs your DNS | nsin | You |
| How you connect | Change your nameservers | Add A/CNAME records |
| Ownership check | Automatic | One CNAME record |
| SSL | Free & automatic | Free & automatic (once verified) |
| Best for | Most people | Keeping DNS at your provider |
Managed DNS
Section titled “Managed DNS”Point your nameservers to nsin; it then handles records and security.
- Add your domain and choose Managed DNS.
- Copy the two nameservers nsin gives you.
- Replace your old nameservers with them at your provider. See Nameservers.
- Wait — usually minutes, up to 24–48 hours.
You get auto-activation, free auto-renewed SSL (see SSL Overview), and records managed inside nsin (see Managing DNS Records).
External DNS
Section titled “External DNS”You keep DNS at your provider; nsin sits in front as a proxy.
- Add your domain and choose External DNS.
- Verify ownership: add the CNAME record nsin gives you (a host and a target) at your provider.
- nsin checks automatically every 5 minutes, or check manually (once a minute).
- You have a 3-day window to verify.
- Keep the record afterwards — it connects you to nsin, like nameservers on a Managed domain.
- Once verified, add the A or CNAME records nsin gives you.
- SSL is automatic once verified. For your own certificate, upload it with its private key in the SSL section and pick its hostnames.
Remove or change the verification record later and the domain counts as moved away: it serves 3 more days, then is disabled. Put it back to reactivate.
Domains on the older TXT record keep working on their own certificates; add the new record for automatic SSL. You manage records at your provider, not inside nsin.
Which mode am I in?
Section titled “Which mode am I in?”Your dashboard labels the domain Managed DNS (blue) or External DNS (plain). Change modes anytime in domain settings.
Common questions
Section titled “Common questions”I switched to External and my site shows “Not Secure”. Check you uploaded a valid certificate and its private key, covering the hostname you’re visiting. See SSL Overview.