# Start Zone Transfer

A zone transfer is a fundamental process for replicating DNS records from a primary DNS server to one or more secondary servers. This process ensures redundancy, enhances fault tolerance, and improves DNS resolution performance across distributed networks.

Creating a zone transfer from a primary to a secondary zone involves configuring authoritative DNS servers to synchronize zone data securely. The primary server maintains the original zone file; the secondary servers obtain and periodically update their copies through the standard [<mark style="color:blue;">AXFR</mark>](https://docs.ionos.com/cloud/support/general-information/glossary-of-terms#authoritative-zone-transfer-axfr) zone transfer protocol.

{% hint style="info" %}
**Prerequisites:**

* Cloud DNS relies on the following Anycast addresses to send DNS notification messages. Ensure you whitelist the following IP addresses:
* **IPv4:** `212.227.123.25`
* **IPv6:** `2001:8d8:fe:53::5cd:25`
* Ensure that port 53 is open for both TCP and UDP connections.
  {% endhint %}

To begin zone transfer, follow these steps:

1\. In the **DCD**, go to **Menu** > **Network Services** > **Cloud DNS** > **Public zones** tab.

2\. Select **Secondary Zones** from the drop-down list.

![Select secondary zones](https://1737632334-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MifAzdGvKLDTtvJP8sm%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-a6f5bed26c91646a13e365704c94227106c06849%2Fselect-secondary-zone.png?alt=media)

{% hint style="info" %}
**Info:** The **Public zones** section displays the zones if you have already created them. Select **Show secondary zones** to view secondary zones. This option only appears if you have created secondary zones but have not configured primary zones.
{% endhint %}

![Show secondary zones](https://1737632334-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MifAzdGvKLDTtvJP8sm%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-25843a899cf055d1f3c7cdf74ae555eb3f11e29b%2Fshow-secondary-zone.png?alt=media)

3\. Select the zone to initiate the transfer process.

4\. Select **Start zone transfer**.

![Select zone transfer](https://1737632334-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MifAzdGvKLDTtvJP8sm%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-44c0c15dc3022dd2476cc92a5eaf5e292390d839%2Fselect-zone-transfer.png?alt=media)

Alternatively, you can begin zone transfer using the **Start zone transfer** option in either the [<mark style="color:blue;">ACTIONS</mark>](https://docs.ionos.com/sections-test/guides/network-services/cloud-dns/dcd-how-tos/public-zone/secondary-zone/view-secondary-zones) column or the [<mark style="color:blue;">Details & Records</mark>](https://docs.ionos.com/sections-test/guides/network-services/cloud-dns/dcd-how-tos/public-zone/secondary-zone/view-secondary-zone-details) window.

5\. Select **Start transfer** in the **Start zone transfer** view to begin the process.

![Confirm zone transfer](https://1737632334-files.gitbook.io/~/files/v0/b/gitbook-x-prod.appspot.com/o/spaces%2F-MifAzdGvKLDTtvJP8sm%2Fuploads%2Fgit-blob-df91ade4d61f90c5ea79daf55e4fc71489e6150e%2Fconfirm-zone-transfer.png?alt=media)

{% hint style="success" %}
**Result:** The zone transfer process has begun.
{% endhint %}