cPanel DNSOnly is a free, cut-down version of cPanel & WHM that runs only DNS. It's typically used to add an extra nameserver to a DNS cluster. For more about DNS clusters, see cPanel's guide: https://docs.cpanel.net/installation-guide/cpanel-dnsonly-installation/
Before you start
- Start with a freshly installed, supported operating system: AlmaLinux 8, 9 or 10, CloudLinux 8 or 9, or Ubuntu 22.04 or 24.04 LTS. cPanel no longer supports CentOS, and it won't install on a server that already has other content on it.
- Set the server's hostname to a fully qualified domain name, such as
ns3.yourdomain.co.nz. - Allow traffic on ports 53, 953 and 2087. Also allow port 25 if you want the server to send you email notifications.
- DNSOnly licences are free from cPanel, so you don't need to buy one.
Install cPanel DNSOnly
- Connect to your server over SSH as root.
- Install
screen, so the installation keeps running if your connection drops:
AlmaLinux or CloudLinux:dnf install -y epel-release && dnf install -y screen
Ubuntu:apt install -y screen - Start a screen session:
screen - Download and run the installer:
cd /home && curl -o latest-dnsonly -L https://securedownloads.cpanel.net/latest-dnsonly && sh latest-dnsonly
The installation usually takes 20 to 45 minutes. Leave it to finish without interrupting it.
If your SSH connection drops
Reconnect over SSH, then enter screen -r to return to the installation. If you have more than one screen session, enter screen -ls to list them, then screen -r followed by the session ID.
After installation
Open https://your-server-ip:2087 in your browser and log in as root. Your browser may warn you about the certificate on first login, which is expected.
