Frequently asked questions
Practical answers for evaluating, migrating to, and operating HarborDNS.
Getting started
What is HarborDNS?
HarborDNS is a managed authoritative DNS service. It answers DNS questions about the domains you host here, and gives you a control panel for zones, records, delegation, usage, and billing.
Is HarborDNS a domain registrar?
No. Keep your domain registered where it is. After creating a zone, update the domain's nameservers at the registrar to delegate DNS to HarborDNS.
What's the difference between a registrar and DNS?
A registrar is where you buy and renew a domain. DNS is the system that translates that domain into addresses and mail routing. HarborDNS handles the DNS; your registrar keeps managing the domain registration.
How do I move an existing zone without downtime?
Lower your TTLs a day ahead, recreate the records in HarborDNS, verify them against the assigned nameservers, and only then switch nameservers at your registrar. Keep the old provider active until HarborDNS is answering correctly. The full playbook is in the documentation.
Records and DNS
How quickly do record changes take effect?
Saved changes are applied automatically and served right away. Resolvers that already cached the previous answer keep returning it until the record's TTL expires, so plan changes to fast-moving records with a low TTL.
Which record types can I manage?
Common authoritative types including A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, CAA, SRV, NS, and additional advanced types where appropriate. Names, targets, and values are validated before a change is saved.
Why can't I add a CNAME at the apex?
The apex (the bare domain, shown as @) must carry NS and SOA data, and a name with a CNAME can't hold any other records. Use A/AAAA at the apex and reserve CNAME for subdomains.
Can I set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC?
Yes — all three are TXT records you add on the zone page. The documentation walks through each one and how they work together to protect your email.
Does HarborDNS support DNSSEC?
Yes, with managed DNSSEC. Enable it on a zone and HarborDNS generates the keys, signs the zone, and keeps the signatures current. You add the DS record it shows you at your registrar to complete the chain of trust.
Can I import and export zone files?
Yes. Import a standard BIND-style zone file to replace a zone's records in one step, and download the current records as a zone file whenever you need a portable copy.
Reliability and security
Does HarborDNS use redundant infrastructure?
Yes. Authoritative DNS is served from globally distributed servers on redundant infrastructure designed to keep your zones answering even if individual servers or locations are unavailable.
Where are the servers located?
HarborDNS is operated from Montreal, Canada and serves authoritative DNS through globally distributed server infrastructure. Server placement is chosen for redundancy and dependable resolution worldwide.
How do you protect my account?
Accounts support app-based multi-factor authentication, and API tokens are scoped and revocable. Administrative access to the platform is held to stricter controls.
Do you keep backups of my zone?
You can export a zone file at any time for your own records, and we recommend keeping an independent copy of important DNS configuration as part of your change process.
Billing
Do you charge per query?
No. Plans are priced by the zones and records they include. We never charge for query volume and never stop serving DNS because of it.
Can I change plans later?
Yes. Change plans from the Billing page as your needs grow or shrink. Every paid plan includes a 30-day money-back guarantee on its initial subscription.
When should I choose Enterprise?
When you need custom capacity, commercial terms, or a support arrangement tailored to your deployment.
Automation and support
Can I automate DNS changes?
Yes, on plans with API access. Create a scoped token in Settings and manage zones and records from CI/CD or internal tools. Record-change batches are atomic and support an idempotency key for safe retries. See the API documentation.
Is the panel the only way to make changes?
No — the panel and the API do the same work. Many teams use the panel for day-to-day edits and the API for automated deployments.
Where can I read the legal policies?
See the Privacy Policy for how account and service information is handled, and the Terms of Service for service, billing, and acceptable-use terms.
Still have a question?
Start with the documentation for setup and operations, or the API reference for automation. For anything else, reach out from your account.