title: How to Use cPanel's PowerDNS created at: Sat Nov 09 2024 11:02:40 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) updated at: Sat Feb 08 2025 14:22:56 GMT+0000 (Coordinated Universal Time) --- # How to Use cPanel's PowerDNS # Overview The [PowerDNS](https://powerdns.com/) open source DNS server software offers high performance with very low memory requirements. cPanel’s PowerDNS implementation reads DNS data from the BIND files and stores DNSSEC data in a SQLite database. This makes cPanel’s PowerDNS compatible with most of cPanel’s DNS Management tools. !! Note: !! System files and other online sources may refer to PowerDNS as *pdns*. # Install PowerDNS To install PowerDNS via WHM’s [*Nameserver Selection*](https://docs.cpanel.net/whm/service-configuration/nameserver-selection) interface *(WHM » Home » Service Configuration » Nameserver Selection)*, perform the following steps: 1. Navigate to WHM’s [*Nameserver Selection*](https://docs.cpanel.net/whm/service-configuration/nameserver-selection) interface *(WHM » Home » Service Configuration » Nameserver Selection)*. 2. Select *PowerDNS*. 3. Click *Save*. # PowerDNS version To check your server’s PowerDNS version, run WHM API 1’s [`installed_versions`](https://api.docs.cpanel.net/openapi/whm/operation/installed_versions/) function. The function’s output contains the `powerdns` return, which displays the server’s currently-installed PowerDNS version. # DNSSEC PowerDNS allows you to use DNS Security Extension (DNSSEC) with your domains’ DNS records. DNSSEC adds a layer of security to your domains’ DNS records. DNSSEC uses digital signatures and cryptographic keys to validate the DNS responses’ authenticity. These digital signatures protect clients from various forms of attack, such as spoofing or a man-in-the-middle attack. To enable DNSSEC, follow the directions in our [Zone Editor](https://docs.cpanel.net/cpanel/domains/zone-editor) documentation. !! Important: !! This feature **only** appears in cPanel’s [*Zone Editor*](https://docs.cpanel.net/cpanel/domains/zone-editor) interface *(cPanel » Home » Domains » Zone Editor)* if your hosting provider installs PowerDNS in WHM’s [*Nameserver Selection*](https://docs.cpanel.net/whm/service-configuration/nameserver-selection) interface *(WHM » Home » Service Configuration » Nameserver Selection)*. # Troubleshoot PowerDNS To troubleshoot PowerDNS further, check the `/var/log/messages` error log.