Nameservers vs DNS Records
When managing your domain, you'll encounter two related but different concepts: nameservers and DNS records. Understanding the difference helps you choose the right setup for your needs.
What are Nameservers?
Nameservers are the servers responsible for answering DNS queries about your domain. They're like the librarians who know where to find the information (DNS records) about your domain.
When you register a domain with GA.NU, we automatically set up nameservers for you through our Cloudflare-powered DNS infrastructure.
GA.NU DNS (Default)
By default, your domain uses GA.NU's nameservers:
- We manage your DNS records through our dashboard
- You get the benefits of Cloudflare's global network
- Setup is automatic and simple
Use GA.NU DNS when:
- You want a simple, managed solution
- You don't have your own hosting with DNS features
- You want to use our easy DNS management dashboard
Custom Nameservers
Some hosting providers require you to point your domain to their nameservers. When you use custom nameservers:
- All DNS management moves to that provider
- You can't manage records through GA.NU
- The other provider becomes fully responsible for your DNS
Use custom nameservers when:
- Your hosting provider requires it
- You need advanced DNS features from another provider
- You're consolidating multiple domains under one DNS provider
How to Choose
| Scenario | Recommended Option |
|---|---|
| Basic website hosting | GA.NU DNS with A/CNAME records |
| Using services like Vercel, Netlify | GA.NU DNS with their provided records |
| Hosting provider requires their nameservers | Custom nameservers |
| You need advanced DNS features | Custom nameservers |
Switching Between Options
You can switch between GA.NU DNS and custom nameservers at any time through your domain settings. Note that DNS changes can take up to 48 hours to fully propagate worldwide.