---

name: netcup-vps-provider description: | Netcup VPS and DNS API management. Use when: (1) Managing DNS records via Netcup DNS API (2) Configuring VPS via Server Control Panel (SCP) (3) Setting up firewall rules and reverse DNS (PTR) (4) Obtaining and managing Netcup API credentials (5) Troubleshooting DNS propagation issues (6) Managing domains registered at Netcup (7) Configuring external domains to use Netcup DNS

Netcup VPS Provider

Netcup is a German hosting provider offering VPS and DNS services. This skill covers DNS API automation and VPS management for ARM G11 servers.

Quick Reference

DNS API Workflow

Copy1. Login       → Get session ID
2. Query       → infoDnsZone, infoDnsRecords
3. Update      → updateDnsRecords (replaces ALL records)
4. Logout      → End session

Authentication

Copyconst response = await fetch(NETCUP_API, {
  method: 'POST',
  headers: { 'Content-Type': 'application/json' },
  body: JSON.stringify({
    action: 'login',
    param: {
      customernumber: '12345',
      apikey: 'abc123...',
      apipassword: 'xyz789...'
    }
  })
});
// Returns: { responsedata: { apisessionid: 'session-id' } }

Get Records

Copy{
  action: 'infoDnsRecords',
  param: {
    customernumber: '12345',
    apikey: 'abc123...',
    apisessionid: 'session-id',
    domainname: 'example.com'
  }
}

Update Records

IMPORTANT: This replaces ALL records in the zone. Always send the complete record set.

Copy{
  action: 'updateDnsRecords',
  param: {
    customernumber: '12345',
    apikey: 'abc123...',
    apisessionid: 'session-id',
    domainname: 'example.com',
    dnsrecordset: {
      dnsrecords: [
        { hostname: '@', type: 'A', destination: '203.0.113.50' },
        { hostname: 'mail', type: 'A', destination: '203.0.113.50' },
        { hostname: '@', type: 'MX', priority: '10', destination: 'mail.example.com' },
        { hostname: '@', type: 'TXT', destination: 'v=spf1 mx ~all' }
      ]
    }
  }
}

API Limitations

Email DNS Records

Standard records for Mox email server:

External Domains

For domains registered elsewhere (Netim, Gandi, etc.):

1. Add zone in Netcup CCP: Products → Domain → DNS → Add DNS Zone
2. At registrar: Change nameservers to:
   • root-dns.netcup.net
   • second-dns.netcup.net
   • third-dns.netcup.net
3. Wait: 24-48 hours for NS propagation
4. Manage via API: Works like Netcup-registered domains

VPS Management

Reverse DNS (PTR)

Set in Server Control Panel → Network → IPv4/IPv6 address → Edit PTR

Critical for email: PTR must match mail server hostname (e.g., mail.example.com)

Firewall (Port 25)

New VPS may have port 25 blocked:

1. SCP → Firewall
2. Remove "netcup Mail block" policy
3. Save changes

Reference Files

Common Issues

Verification Commands

Copy# Check A record
dig A mail.example.com @8.8.8.8 +short

# Check MX
dig MX example.com @8.8.8.8 +short

# Check SPF
dig TXT example.com @8.8.8.8 +short | grep spf

# Check DKIM
dig TXT selector._domainkey.example.com @8.8.8.8 +short

# Check DMARC
dig TXT _dmarc.example.com @8.8.8.8 +short

# Check PTR (reverse DNS)
dig -x YOUR_IP +short

# Check from multiple locations
# Use: https://dnschecker.org/

Official Documentation

• Netcup Help Center
• DNS API Wiki
• Firewall Documentation