# NewDnsProvider

NewDnsProvider activates a DNS Service Provider (DSP) specified in `creds.json`. A DSP stores a DNS zone's records and provides DNS service for the zone (i.e. answers on port 53 to queries related to the zone).

* `name` must match the name of an entry in `creds.json`.
* `type` specifies a valid DNS provider type identifier listed on the [provider page](https://docs.dnscontrol.org/~/revisions/T4Wre387kGCjR4Bh4mfN/service-providers/providers).
  * Starting with [v3.16](https://docs.dnscontrol.org/~/revisions/T4Wre387kGCjR4Bh4mfN/release/v316), the type is optional. If it is absent, the `TYPE` field in `creds.json` is used instead. You can leave it out. (Thanks to JavaScript magic, you can leave it out even when there are more fields).
  * Starting with v4.0, specifying the type may be an error. Please add the `TYPE` field to `creds.json` and remove this parameter from `dnsconfig.js` to prepare.
* `meta` is a way to send additional parameters to the provider. It is optional and only certain providers use it. See the [individual provider docs](https://docs.dnscontrol.org/~/revisions/T4Wre387kGCjR4Bh4mfN/service-providers/providers) for details.

This function will return an opaque string that should be assigned to a variable name for use in [D](https://docs.dnscontrol.org/~/revisions/T4Wre387kGCjR4Bh4mfN/language-reference/top-level-functions/d) directives.

Prior to [v3.16](https://docs.dnscontrol.org/~/revisions/T4Wre387kGCjR4Bh4mfN/release/v316):

{% code title="dnsconfig.js" %}

```javascript
var REG_MYNDC = NewRegistrar("mynamedotcom", "NAMEDOTCOM");
var DNS_MYAWS = NewDnsProvider("myaws", "ROUTE53");

D("example.com", REG_MYNDC, DnsProvider(DNS_MYAWS),
  A("@","1.2.3.4")
);
```

{% endcode %}

In [v3.16](https://docs.dnscontrol.org/~/revisions/T4Wre387kGCjR4Bh4mfN/release/v316) and later:

{% code title="dnsconfig.js" %}

```javascript
var REG_MYNDC = NewRegistrar("mynamedotcom");
var DNS_MYAWS = NewDnsProvider("myaws");

D("example.com", REG_MYNDC, DnsProvider(DNS_MYAWS),
  A("@","1.2.3.4")
);
```

{% endcode %}