DNS (Domain Name System) records are vital for directing traffic to your website, email services, and other internet functions. This guide will help you understand the most common types of DNS records and how they are used. Additionally, we’ll cover the specific static records stored within Rapyd's DNS editor.
Common DNS Records
A Record
The A record (Address Record) is the most fundamental DNS record. It links a domain name to an IPv4 address, which is the numerical identifier of a server. When a user types your domain into a browser, the A record tells their device where to find your website.
Example:
yourdomain.com -> 192.0.2.1Usage: Use A records to point your domain or subdomains (like
www.yourdomain.com) to the server hosting your website.
AAAA Record
Similar to the A record, the AAAA record (IPv6 Address Record) maps a domain name to an IPv6 address. IPv6 addresses are the newer version of IP addresses and are longer and more complex, allowing for a much larger number of unique addresses compared to IPv4.
Example:
yourdomain.com -> 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334Usage: Use AAAA records if your server uses an IPv6 address.
CNAME Record
The CNAME record (Canonical Name Record) allows one domain to be an alias of another domain. Instead of pointing to an IP address, it points one domain to another domain.
Example:
www.yourdomain.com -> yourdomain.comUsage: Often used to point
wwwsubdomains to the root domain (e.g.,yourdomain.com) or to direct traffic to services like a content delivery network (CDN).
MX Record
The MX record (Mail Exchange Record) specifies the mail servers responsible for receiving email on behalf of your domain. Multiple MX records can be configured for redundancy, with each having a priority value.
Example:
yourdomain.com -> mail.yourdomain.com (Priority: 10)Usage: Use MX records to direct email traffic to your email service provider.
PTR Record
The PTR record (Pointer Record) is the reverse of an A record. Instead of mapping a domain name to an IP address, it maps an IP address back to a domain name. This is often referred to as a reverse DNS lookup.
Example:
192.0.2.1 -> yourdomain.comUsage: PTR records are mainly used for validating the domain associated with a server’s IP address, often in email servers to reduce spam and improve email deliverability.
SRV Record
The SRV record (Service Record) is used to define the location (hostname and port) of servers for specific services like voice over IP (VoIP) or instant messaging.
Example:
_sip._tcp.yourdomain.com -> sipserver.yourdomain.com (Port: 5060)Usage: Use SRV records to route specific types of traffic (such as VoIP calls or chat messages) to the appropriate server.
TXT Record
The TXT record (Text Record) allows you to associate arbitrary text with a domain name. TXT records are commonly used for email verification (e.g., SPF, DKIM) or domain ownership validation.
Example:
yourdomain.com -> "v=spf1 include:mail.yourdomain.com ~all"Usage: Use TXT records for email security configurations or to verify domain ownership with services like Google or Microsoft.
CAA Record
The CAA record (Certificate Authority Authorization) is used to specify which certificate authorities (CAs) are allowed to issue SSL/TLS certificates for your domain. This adds an extra layer of security by preventing unauthorized CAs from issuing certificates for your domain.
Example:
yourdomain.com -> 0 issue "letsencrypt.org"Usage: Use CAA records to control which CAs can issue certificates, improving your website’s security.
DS Record
The DS record (Delegation Signer Record) is part of DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) and is used to authenticate DNS responses to prevent attacks such as cache poisoning. The DS record holds a cryptographic key that ensures DNS data hasn't been tampered with.
Example:
yourdomain.com -> Key Tag, Algorithm, Digest Type, DigestUsage: Use DS records if you want to implement DNSSEC for your domain, ensuring the integrity of DNS responses.
NS Record
The NS record (Nameserver Record) specifies the nameservers for your domain. Nameservers are responsible for translating domain names into IP addresses by answering DNS queries.
Usage: Use NS records to specify the authoritative nameservers for your domain. These nameservers are critical for directing traffic to the correct destination.
NS records are usually managed directly with your domain registrar.
By understanding these DNS records, you’ll be able to effectively manage your domain settings and ensure your website and services are running smoothly. For more details on how to configure these records in the Rapyd dashboard, check out our related how-to guides.