DNS Templates
DNS templates allow you to centrally synchronize multiple DNS zones using a dynamic DNS template. This feature helps you manage a large number of DNS zones simultaneously and roll out changes centrally across all connected DNS zones.
In addition, static DNS templates allow you to prepare a template for an incoming domain transfer.
Create a DNS Template
Log in to the Customer Center at account.creoline.com and select the DNS → DNS Templates menu item from the left sidebar. Click the Create DNS Template button to create a new DNS template. Enter the desired name for the DNS template and enable the default nameservers, which will be stored as NS records in the new template.
Dynamic DNS Template
Using the “Dynamic Template” type, you can permanently link a template to one or more DNS zones. This type is particularly suitable for the centralized management of a large number of DNS zones.
Static DNS Template
Using the “Static Template” type, you can prepare a template for an incoming domain transfer. This type is suitable for preparing a DNS zone so that the records are automatically created during the domain transfer.
Manage DNS Records Centrally
Select the desired DNS template for which you want to add, edit, or remove DNS records. In the DNS template’s detail view, you can immediately see how many DNS zones your changes will affect.
In this example, all changes to the DNS template would be applied to 20 DNS zones. Please note that all changes to the template are processed asynchronously. Upon successful completion, you will receive a brief confirmation email as soon as the changes have been applied.
Variables
Various variables are available for the DNS templates, which are resolved accordingly in the associated DNS zones.
| Variable | Meaning | Example |
|---|---|---|
{zone.name} | Name of the DNS zone | example-zone.de |
{zone.name.ace} | Name of the DNS zone (ACE notation) | xn--tr-xka.de |
{zone.soa.ns.primary} | Primary name server | a.ns.creoline.net |
{zone.soa.admin.mail} | Administrator’s email address | noc@domain.de |
{zone.soa.ttl.default} | Default TTL in seconds | 3600 |
The variables can only be used for values of the RR types CNAME, TXT, SSHFP, SRV, MX, CAA, and NS.
Link a DNS Zone to a DNS Template
Existing DNS Zone
To link an existing DNS zone to a DNS template, select the DNS → DNS Zones menu item in the left sidebar. Then select the desired DNS zone.
In the DNS zone’s detail view, select the menu item Settings → Attach DNS Template.
In the pop-up window, you can select the desired DNS template to be linked and synchronized.
Warning: All existing DNS records in the selected zone will be removed when you connect the DNS template and replaced with the DNS records from the DNS template.
Confirm the connection of the DNS template by clicking the Connect DNS Template button. Afterward, all existing DNS records in the DNS zone will be removed and replaced with the DNS records from the DNS template.
The DNS records are then displayed with a lock icon, as the records are now managed centrally via the DNS template. Changes to the existing records can only be made through the template.
Additional DNS Records
Despite the linked and synchronized DNS template, additional DNS records can be stored in the DNS zone.
DNS records created in a linked DNS zone are not distributed to the other linked DNS zones. If you want a DNS entry to apply to all linked DNS zones, it must be created in the DNS template.
Disconnect Individual DNS Entries
In addition to synchronizing entire DNS templates, individual DNS entries can be excluded from synchronization. To do this, select the Exclude DNS Entry option within the DNS zone to exclude the entry from synchronization.
Caution: If a DNS entry is excluded from synchronization, it cannot be reconnected at a later time. The entire DNS zone must be reset so that the DNS entry is fully synchronized with the DNS template again.
Disconnect All DNS Entries
To stop synchronization of the DNS template, you can disconnect the entire DNS template from the DNS zone. To do this, select the Disconnect DNS Template option within the DNS zone to stop synchronization.
Disconnecting the DNS template does not remove any DNS records from the selected DNS zone.
Reset DNS Template
Using the Reset DNS Template feature, you can resynchronize all additional or detached DNS records with the DNS template.
To do this, select the menu item Settings → Reset DNS Zone in the desired DNS zone.
Warning: Resetting the DNS zone will revert all manual changes made to the DNS template.
Import DNS Records
Using the “Import Records” feature, you can import DNS records from a zone file (BIND or TinyDNS) into existing DNS templates.
You can access the import function via the Settings → Import Entries button.
Select the “Remove DNS records before import” option to remove all existing DNS records from a DNS template before importing.
Enable the “Import NS records” option to also import DNS records of the NS resource record type.