Pre-requirements
- Access to your cPanel or WHM interface.
- Understanding of server hostnames and SSL certificates.
Introduction
When you see the cprapid.com DNS zone on your cPanel & WHM server, it is part of an automatically-issued hostname system introduced by cPanel & WHM. This hostname is generated by WebPros International, LLC, and is designed to provide first-time users with a secure login experience. This article explains what the cprapid.com DNS zone is, why it exists, and how it functions.
What is the cprapid.com DNS Zone?
| Topic | Description |
|---|---|
| Automatically Issued Hostname | The cprapid.com DNS zone is created when a newly installed server does not have a fully-qualified domain name (FQDN) as a hostname. To provide a secure experience for users logging into WHM for the first time, cPanel & WHM automatically issue a hostname under the cprapid.com domain. |
| Why It's Needed | First-time users often encounter security warnings when logging into WHM due to self-signed certificates or invalid hostnames. The cprapid.com DNS zone solves this issue by allowing cPanel to request a free SSL certificate, preventing security warnings. |
| How It Works | Upon installation, the system checks the server's hostname. If it is not resolvable, the installer script requests an automatically generated hostname from cprapid.com. This subdomain points to the server's primary IP address, allowing the system to secure the server with a valid SSL certificate. |
| Limitations | The cprapid.com DNS zone is only used to issue hostnames for WHM login. You cannot manage or delegate this subdomain, and it cannot be used for creating functional nameservers. For full control, users are encouraged to replace the auto-issued hostname with a custom domain they control. |
Steps for Managing the cprapid.com DNS Zone
| Step | Description |
|---|---|
| 1. Log into WHM or cPanel | Access your WHM or cPanel account to view or manage the cprapid.com DNS zone. |
| 2. View the Automatically Issued Hostname | In WHM, navigate to Home » Networking Setup » Change Hostname. The system will display the auto-issued hostname under the cprapid.com domain. |
| 3. Change the Hostname | To use your own domain and fully-qualified hostname, use the Change Hostname interface to update the hostname to a domain you control. The Certificate Authority will issue a new SSL certificate for the new hostname. |
Why Should You Change the Auto-Issued Hostname?
- Using your own domain name and hostname helps establish your brand and provides greater control over server management.
- The automatically issued hostname is only a temporary solution and cannot be used to create functional nameservers or for subdomain delegation.
- Replacing the cprapid.com hostname ensures better management and control over your server's DNS and SSL settings.
The cprapid.com DNS zone on your cPanel & WHM server provides an automatically issued hostname to ensure a secure login experience for first-time users. This helps prevent security warnings by automatically securing the server with a valid SSL certificate. However, for full control over your server's hostname, you should replace the auto-issued hostname with your own FQDN. For more details, refer to the official cPanel documentation.
