# NS Records

An `NS` record names the authoritative name servers for a zone. ZCP creates the `NS` record set for your domain automatically (pointing at `ns1.zsoftly.ca` and `ns2.zsoftly.ca`). Add your own `NS` records to delegate a subdomain to a different DNS provider.

## Fields

| Field | Example | Notes |
| --- | --- | --- |
| Name | `subzone` | The subdomain to delegate. |
| Type | `NS` |  |
| Content | `ns1.other-dns.com.` | A name server for the subdomain. End with a trailing dot. |
| TTL | `3600` | Seconds. |

## Delegate a Subdomain

To hand `subzone.example.com` to another provider, add an `NS` record for `subzone`.

Console (zone-file view):

```text
subzone NS ns1.other-dns.com. 3600
```

CLI:

```bash
zcp dns record-create --domain examplecom --name subzone --type NS --content ns1.other-dns.com.
```

After this change, ZCP returns a referral to the delegated provider for `subzone.example.com`. The delegated provider must host the `subzone.example.com` zone.

## Verify

```bash
dig NS subzone.example.com +short
# ns1.other-dns.com.
```

## Several Name Servers per Delegation

A name and type hold several values. Creating a second `NS` record at `subzone` adds it to the set. Delegate the subdomain to two or more name servers for redundancy. See [Several values per name and type](https://docs.zcp.zsoftly.ca/public-cloud/dns/records#several-values-per-name-and-type).

## Delegating to ZCP From Elsewhere

The reverse also works. To host a subdomain on ZCP while the parent domain stays at another provider, create the subdomain as a ZCP domain (for example, `dev.example.com`). At the parent provider, add `NS` records for `dev` pointing at `ns1.zsoftly.ca` and `ns2.zsoftly.ca`. See [Domains](https://docs.zcp.zsoftly.ca/public-cloud/dns/domains).

## Notes

- A ZCP zone delegates to one name server. Standard practice is two or more. ZCP cannot hold more than one `NS` value at a name.
- The child provider must host the zone. Delegation only forwards queries. The records live at the provider you delegate to.
- Do not delete the apex `NS` set. ZCP manages your domain’s own `ns1`/`ns2.zsoftly.ca` records.

See also: [Domains](https://docs.zcp.zsoftly.ca/public-cloud/dns/domains), [Worked examples](https://docs.zcp.zsoftly.ca/public-cloud/dns/examples), [Record types](https://docs.zcp.zsoftly.ca/public-cloud/dns/records)