---
title: "How to Create Custom (Private) Nameservers at Nexcess"
source: "https://docs.nexcess.com/sites-stores/domains-dns/custom-private-nameservers-at-nexcess/"
description: "Learn how to create custom (private) nameservers at Nexcess for your domain. This guide shows you how to register them through the OpenSRS portal."
vertical: "Sites & Stores"
date: "2025-10-06"
last_modified: "2026-07-02"
---

# How to Create Custom (Private) Nameservers at Nexcess

Custom, or private, nameservers allow you to brand your hosting services by replacing the default [Nexcess nameservers](https://docs.nexcess.com/sites-stores/domains-dns/set-your-domains-dns/) (`ns1.nexcess.net`) with your own (e.g., `ns1.yourdomain.com`). This is a common practice for our **Reseller**, **VPS**, and **Dedicated** server clients who want to provide a white-labeled experience for their own customers.

This guide explains how to register your nameservers at the registrar level. These steps are for domains registered with Nexcess and must be completed before configuring them on your server. A second guide is referenced at the end which actually [configures your nameservers in Nodeworx](https://docs.nexcess.com/sites-stores/control-panel/interworx/nodeworx/custom-nameservers/) at the server level.

## Prerequisites

- A dedicated, VPS, or Reseller account with Nexcess
- A domain which uses Nexcess as the registrar.

3rd Party Registrars

If your domain does not use Nexcess as it’s the registrar, contact your registrar’s support team for assistance.

## Step-by-step Instructions

1. Log in to the [OpenSRS control panel](https://manage.opensrs.net/). Enter your **Domain Name**, **User Name**, and **Password**, then click **Manage Domain**. If you are unsure of your login information, [contact our support team](https://www.liquidweb.com/support/nexcess/).  
    ![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1568222659559-1568222659559.png)
2. Scroll down to click **Domain Locking**. If your domain is set to “**Disable”,** proceed to Step 3. If your domain is set to “**Enable”,** click “**Disable”,** then **Submit.**  
    ![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1568222671087-1568222671086.png)
3. At the top of the main page, click **Name Servers.**  
    ![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1568222685301-1568222685301.png)
4. Click **Manage** **Name Servers.**  
    ![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1568222695309-1568222695309.png)
5. Near the bottom of the page, you will see a message: “If you want to create or modify a nameserver which is based on yourdomain.com, click here,”. Click as directed.
    
      
    ![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1568222708161-1568222708161.png)
6. In the Create Name Server section, enter the **Server Hostnam**e and **Server IP Address**, then click **Create Name Server**.  
    ![](https://docs.nexcess.com/wp-content/uploads/2026/06/1568222734768-1568222734768.png)
7. Proceed to [configure your nameservers in Nodeworx](https://docs.nexcess.com/sites-stores/control-panel/interworx/nodeworx/custom-nameservers/).