# Setting up a custom domain

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Custom domains must be set up by **qualified IT staff who are familiar with nameserver configuration**.
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Qualified IT staff can set up custom domains using either CNAME or nameserver (NS) DNS records.

**Note:** Using the nameserver method to set up your custom domain makes it faster for Aristotle to provide custom staging environments (staging.example.com) if desired.

### Prerequisites

* A registered domain must be ready for use prior to the configuration of any DNS records.

### How to set up a custom domain using CNAME DNS

1. Once you have received Aristotle's email (after requesting a domain), add the CNAME values provided to you by Aristotle to the DNS of the domain or subdomain you wish to use.

<figure><img src="/files/Ux3ZXuUbSCoraO3NrkPw" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Notes:**

* &#x20;The primary CNAME value provided to you by Aristotle will point your domain to your Aristotle Metadata Registry. The certificate CNAME value is a randomly generated key which only confirms your ownership of the domain and does not contain any sensitive information
* The interface and value used in the screenshot above are for example purposes only and your DNS provider may have a different method. Consult your DNS provider for guidance
* If you require further guidance on name server configuration, contact your organisation's internal IT staff. This process differs per organisation, so Aristotle is unable to provide guidance.

2. Reply to Aristotle's email, noting that you have verified your ownership of the new custom domain.

**Note:** The above steps will need to be repeated for any subdomain requested. For example, if your registry is hosted at 'registry.example.com', these steps would need to be repeated for '[www.registry.example.com](http://www.registry.example.com)', 'staging.registry.example.com', or any other requested domain(s).

### How to set up a custom domain using a nameserver

1. Once you have received Aristotle's email (after requesting a domain), add the namespace values provided to you by Aristotle to the DNS of the domain or subdomain you wish to use.

<figure><img src="/files/YWLBwEIWr3qBvuRRyJHx" alt=""><figcaption></figcaption></figure>

**Notes:**

* The interface and values used in the screenshot above are for example purposes only and your DNS provider may have a different method. Consult your DNS provider for guidance
* If you require further guidance on name server configuration, contact your organisation's internal IT staff. This process differs per organisation, so Aristotle is unable to provide guidance.

2. Reply to Aristotle's email, noting that you have verified your ownership of the new custom domain.

**Note:** Once NS records have been pointed to the Aristotle.Cloud infrastructure, additional domains can be requested using support ticket, without further involvement from your IT Department.


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