With a dedicated server there are four typical options for nameservers.

1. Use your domain name registrar name servers to manage your domain names

2. Use SoftLayer nameservers to manage your domain names

3. Use a third party DNS service to manage your domain names

4. Run your own nameservers on your server to manage your domain names

Numbers 1, 2 & 3 will use nameservers of the third party (ex. ns1.softlayer.com and ns2.softlayer.com). Option number 4 will use your domain as the nameserver (ns1.yourdomain.com & ns2.yourdomain.com). Option number 4 requires you to run DNS services on your server and you must also register your domain as a name server with your registrar. This is usually free, but requires an additional step beyond the basic domain name registration process.

Softlayer offers free DNS services that are fully managed through the customer portal. We highly recommend allowing SoftLayer to manage your DNS and to act as your nameservers due to our redundant systems, ease of management, and ability to quickly troubleshoot DNS related issues.