What are nameservers, and how to change them

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902   2023-10-20

To host your domain and kickstart your website development you will first need to change the nameservers, or DNS, on your domain. This process enables you to point your domain to our server, allowing your website and database to be installed. We'll guide you through the process with practical examples from different domain registrars to make it as seamless as possible.

For customers who have procured our proprietary packages and hold a Managed License, hosting on CogniTech Systems' server is mandatory. This requirement stems from the restriction that proprietary source codes and databases cannot be hosted on external servers. By altering the nameservers to direct to our server, we can facilitate the hosting of your website, database, emails, and systems seamlessly.

Understanding Nameservers:

Nameservers act as the internet's address book, directing web traffic to the appropriate server where your website is hosted. When you change your domain's nameservers, you're essentially telling the internet where to find your website.

IMPORTANT!

If you already have your domain name hosted elsewhere it is imperative that you first back up any files, databases, and emails. Once you change the nameservers of your domain all files, databases, and emails will be deleted. Each package comes with a certain amount of email accounts, please provide us with the email accounts you would like us to create once we your domain is hosted with ourselves to avoid downtime for your emails.

Step 1: Make A Note Of Our Nameservers:

Our nameservers are as follows:

  • ns1.cognitech.systems
  • ns2.cognitech.systems

Step 2: Access Your Domain Registrar:

Log in to your domain registrar's website where you initially registered your domain. Different registrars have slightly varying user interfaces, but the general process remains similar.

Example 1: NameCheap:

Documentation: Click here to visit the NameCheap nameservers documentation 

If you've registered your domain with Namecheap, follow these steps:

  1. Log in to your Namecheap account.
  2. Go to “Domain List” and select “Manage” on the domain you want to modify.
  3. Navigate to the "Nameservers" section.
  4. Choose the option to "Custom DNS"
  5. Enter our nameservers.
  6. Save the changes.

Example 2: GoDaddy:

Documentation: Click here to visit the NameCheap nameservers documentation

If you're using GoDaddy as your registrar, the process looks like this:

  1. Log in to your GoDaddy account.
  2. Select the domain you want to manage.
  3. Select Nameservers from the action menu.
  4. Choose “I'll use my own nameservers”
  5. Select Save, then Continue to complete your updates.

Step 3: Verify and Wait:

Once you've entered the correct nameservers, the changes may take some time to propagate across the internet. This process is known as DNS propagation and can take up to 48 hours.

Moving Away From CogniTech Systems LTD Hosting

Customers have the option to transfer their hosting away from CogniTech by adjusting their DNS settings to point to another server. However, for those who have invested in our proprietary systems, migrating their website and systems elsewhere is not possible. Upon changing the nameservers, all email accounts will cease to function, and the website and systems will no longer be available on the internet. 

For customers seeking to transition their hosting provider while retaining their CogniTech Systems website and systems, we provide a tailored solution through our custom development service. This service involves the complete reconstruction of your website and systems using non-proprietary technologies. Each project is unique, and we offer personalized quotes based on your specific requirements. To explore this option further, please don't hesitate to reach out to us.

Conclusion:

Changing nameservers is a fundamental step in hosting your domain and initiating your website development. The process is fairly straightforward, but it's essential to enter the correct nameservers to ensure your website functions as intended. While we've provided examples for Namecheap and GoDaddy, the process is similar for most domain registrars. Once your nameservers have propagated, we will be able to set up your emails and begin the development process.

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