How to Build a PowerDNS Setup for Virtualizor rDNS Using Two VPS Servers

If you are running a VPS hosting business with Virtualizor, proper reverse DNS (rDNS / PTR records) is extremely important for email delivery, reputation, and avoiding spam folder issues.

In this guide, we will build a simple and reliable PowerDNS infrastructure using 2 VPS servers for rDNS management.

Why Use PowerDNS for rDNS?

Using PowerDNS gives you:

• Fast DNS performance
• Easy API integration
• MySQL/MariaDB backend support
• Better scalability
• Simple replication between servers
• Easy integration with Virtualizor

This setup is commonly used by hosting providers and VPS businesses.

Recommended Setup

VPS 1 — Main DNS Server

Functions:

• PowerDNS Master
• MySQL/MariaDB Database
• Main API Server

Example:

• Hostname: ns1.yourdomain.com
• IP: 1.1.1.1

VPS 2 — Secondary DNS Server

Functions:

• PowerDNS Slave
• Backup DNS
• Sync from Master

Example:

• Hostname: ns2.yourdomain.com
• IP: 2.2.2.2

Recommended OS

You can use:

• Ubuntu 22.04
• Debian 12

Ubuntu is easier for beginners.

Step 1 — Install PowerDNS on Master Server

Update system:

apt update && apt upgrade -y

Install PowerDNS and MariaDB:

apt install pdns-server pdns-backend-mysql mariadb-server -y

Step 2 — Configure Database

Login to MariaDB:

mysql -u root -p

Create database:

CREATE DATABASE powerdns;
GRANT ALL PRIVILEGES ON powerdns.* TO 'pdns'@'localhost' IDENTIFIED BY 'StrongPassword';
FLUSH PRIVILEGES;

Import schema:

mysql -u root -p powerdns < /usr/share/pdns-backend-mysql/schema/schema.mysql.sql

Step 3 — Configure PowerDNS

Edit configuration:

nano /etc/powerdns/pdns.conf

Add:

launch=gmysql
gmysql-host=127.0.0.1
gmysql-user=pdns
gmysql-password=StrongPassword
gmysql-dbname=powerdns

api=yes
api-key=YourStrongAPIKey
webserver=yes
webserver-address=0.0.0.0
webserver-allow-from=0.0.0.0/0
master=yes
default-soa-name=ns1.yourdomain.com

Restart:

systemctl restart pdns
systemctl enable pdns

Step 4 — Open Firewall Ports

Allow:

• TCP 53
• UDP 53
• TCP 8081 (API)

Example with UFW:

ufw allow 53/tcp
ufw allow 53/udp
ufw allow 8081/tcp

Step 5 — Install Slave DNS Server

On VPS 2:

apt install pdns-server pdns-backend-bind -y

Edit:

nano /etc/powerdns/pdns.conf

Add:

slave=yes
master=no
launch=bind
bind-config=/etc/powerdns/named.conf

Restart:

systemctl restart pdns

Step 6 — Configure DNS Glue Records

At your domain registrar create:

Then use these nameservers for your rDNS domain.

Step 7 — Add Nameservers Inside Virtualizor

Open Virtualizor Official Website admin panel:

Go to:

Configuration → DNS Plan

Add:

• ns1.yourdomain.com
• ns2.yourdomain.com

Step 8 — Configure rDNS Delegation

You must ask your IP provider/datacenter to delegate reverse DNS to your nameservers.

Example:

1.1.1.in-addr.arpa → ns1.yourdomain.com
1.1.1.in-addr.arpa → ns2.yourdomain.com

After delegation, PTR records will work automatically.

Example PTR Record

Example:

Important:

• PTR hostname must match mail server hostname
• Mail hostname should also have A record
• Forward-confirmed reverse DNS is recommended

Recommended Security

For production:

• Enable firewall
• Restrict API access
• Use fail2ban
• Disable public MySQL access
• Use strong API keys

Benefits of This 2 VPS Setup

  High availability
  Better DNS redundancy
  Proper email reputation
  Easy Virtualizor integration
  Professional hosting infrastructure
  Scalable for future expansion

Final Thoughts

A dedicated PowerDNS setup for rDNS is one of the best investments for VPS hosting providers. Using two VPS servers ensures redundancy and improves DNS reliability for customer mail servers.

If you run a hosting business like Ummah Host, this type of infrastructure helps improve client email delivery and overall server reputation significantly.