DNS connects names to services
The Domain Name System answers questions such as: Which IP belongs to example.com? Which server receives email? Which value proves domain ownership? A DNS record has a name, type, value and TTL. Answers are cached across the network, so changes are not visible everywhere at exactly the same time.
A and AAAA point to IP addresses
An A record contains an IPv4 address; an AAAA record contains IPv6. Both may exist for the same hostname. Publish AAAA only when the service is reachable and secured over IPv6, otherwise some clients will prefer a path that does not work.
CNAME makes one name follow another
A CNAME points to another hostname rather than directly to an IP address. It is useful for names such as www, status pages and external platforms. The zone apex has restrictions because it also needs other record types, so use your provider's supported alias or flattening feature where available.
MX and TXT cover email and verification
MX records name the mail servers for a domain and include a priority. Their target must be a hostname. TXT records carry SPF policies, verification tokens and parts of email authentication. DKIM also uses a selector in the record name, while DMARC commonly lives below _dmarc.
TTL and troubleshooting
- Lower TTL well ahead of a planned migration.
- Compare old and new answers through several resolvers.
- For email, validate SPF, DKIM and DMARC as well as MX.
- Avoid conflicting records for the same hostname.
Start with a name under domains. Read about the planned domain, DNS and mailbox workflow under mail servers.
Was this post helpful?
MagicHosting – Hosting with real value
Hosting pays off with MagicHosting: fair pricing, current deals and operation in SkyLink RZ. Servers, domains and personal support – no hidden costs.
- Current limited offers from our server exchange
- Affordable domains with transparent pricing and great offers
- Powerful DDoS protection for maximum availability
- Personal support when you have questions or issues