This topic describes how to add and delete external domain names, and how to retrieve domain names that have been added by other accounts.
Add Zone
You do not need to add domain names that are registered with Alibaba Cloud. After you register a domain name, you can configure its DNS records directly in the Alibaba Cloud DNS console.
If you want to use Alibaba Cloud DNS for an external domain name or a subdomain, you must add the primary domain name or subdomain to the Alibaba Cloud DNS console.
This section describes how to add an external primary domain name in the Alibaba Cloud DNS console. For more information about how to add a subdomain, see Subdomain management.
Log on to the Alibaba Cloud DNS - Public Zone page. Click the Add Zone button.
In the dialog box, enter the primary domain name and select an instance to attach. If no paid instances are available, click Purchase a plan instance to open the purchase page. For more information, see Purchase and attach a domain name.
NoteFor a comparison of different instance editions, see Edition comparison. Paid editions provide a 100% monthly availability Service-Level Agreement (SLA), higher query speeds, and enhanced security. We recommend that you use a paid edition for production services.
After the domain name is added, it appears on the Public Zone page.
NoteIf the DNS server status is not Normal after you add the domain name, see View and handle DNS server status for troubleshooting information.
Retrieve a domain name
When you attempt to Add Zone in the Alibaba Cloud DNS console, you may receive a message that the domain name has already been added by another account. If you are the registrant, the Retrieve Zone feature lets you add the domain name to your current account.
When you retrieve a domain name to a new account, its previous DNS records are deleted.
On the Alibaba Cloud DNS - Public Zone page, click the Add Zone button.
After you enter the domain name, a message is displayed indicating that the domain name has been added by another account. Click Retrieve Zone Name.
When prompted for registrant identity verification, copy the Hostname and TXT Record Value. Do not close this dialog box.
Go to the console of your domain name's current DNS service provider. Add a TXT record that contains the information you copied.
After you add the TXT record with your current DNS provider, return to the identity verification dialog box in the Alibaba Cloud DNS console and submit the verification. Alibaba Cloud DNS automatically scans for the TXT record. If the scan confirms that the TXT record is correct, you will receive an email notifying you that the domain name was successfully retrieved. The domain name is then added to the account that initiated the request.
Delete a domain name
In the Alibaba Cloud DNS console, you can delete external domain names. When you delete a domain name, its DNS records are also deleted. You cannot delete domain names that are registered with Alibaba Cloud.
On the Alibaba Cloud DNS - Public Zone page, find the target domain name. In the Actions column, click the More icon, and then click Delete.
The domain name is deleted after you confirm the action in the second dialog box.
This operation deletes the domain name and all its DNS records. This action cannot be undone.
Inactive domain name cleanup mechanism
Alibaba Cloud DNS - Public Zone has an inactive domain name cleanup mechanism. DNS data for inactive domain names is deleted after 30 days. This mechanism applies only to external domain names. Domain names registered with Alibaba Cloud and their independently hosted subdomains are never considered inactive and are not subject to this cleanup mechanism, regardless of whether they use the Free Edition of DNS.
Rules for determining inactive domain names:
The domain name is an external domain name that uses the Free Edition of DNS, and its NS records at the domain name registrar have not been changed to the DNS server addresses assigned by Alibaba Cloud DNS.
The domain name is an independently hosted subdomain of an external domain name that uses the Free Edition of DNS, and its NS records are not configured in the primary domain's DNS settings to point to the DNS server addresses assigned by Alibaba Cloud DNS.