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    DNS Records Management

    Configure DNS records to control your domain's functionality and routing

    What is DNS?

    DNS (Domain Name System) translates human-readable domain names (like yourdomain.com) into IP addresses that computers use to communicate. DNS records are instructions that specify how your domain behaves.

    Common DNS Record Types

    A Record (Address Record)

    Points a domain or subdomain to an IPv4 address.

    Name: @  (or yourdomain.com)
Type: A
Value: 192.0.2.1
TTL: 14400

    Use cases: Point your domain to your web server, direct subdomains to specific IPs

    AAAA Record (IPv6 Address)

    Points a domain to an IPv6 address (newer IP format).

    Name: @
Type: AAAA
Value: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334
TTL: 14400

    CNAME Record (Canonical Name)

    Creates an alias that points one domain name to another domain name.

    Name: www
Type: CNAME
Value: yourdomain.com
TTL: 14400

    Use cases: Point www to root domain, redirect subdomains to external services

    Important: CNAME records cannot be used for the root domain (@). Use A records instead.

    MX Record (Mail Exchange)

    Directs email to mail servers. Multiple MX records can be specified with different priorities.

    Name: @
Type: MX
Priority: 10
Value: mail.yourdomain.com
TTL: 14400

    Note: Lower priority numbers = higher priority.

    TXT Record (Text Record)

    Stores text information, commonly used for verification and security.

    Name: @
Type: TXT
Value: "v=spf1 include:_spf.yourdomain.com ~all"
TTL: 14400

    Common uses: SPF (email sender verification), DKIM, DMARC, site verification (Google, Facebook)

    Managing DNS Records in cPanel

    Step 1: Access Zone Editor

    1. Log in to your cPanel account
    2. Navigate to "Domains" section
    3. Click "Zone Editor"

    Step 2: Add a Record

    Click "Manage" next to your domain, then "Add Record"

    • Name: Record name (@ for root, or subdomain)
    • Type: Record type (A, CNAME, MX, etc.)
    • Value/Address: Destination IP or domain
    • TTL: Time to Live (how long to cache)

    Step 3: Save Changes

    Click "Add Record" to save your new DNS record.

    Common DNS Configurations

    Point Domain to Website

    A Record:
Name: @
Value: Your server IP address

A Record:
Name: www
Value: Your server IP address

    Email Configuration

    MX Records:
Priority: 0
Value: yourdomain.com

SPF Record (TXT):
Name: @
Value: "v=spf1 a mx ip4:192.0.2.1 ~all"

DMARC Record (TXT):
Name: _dmarc
Value: "v=DMARC1; p=none; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com"

    Understanding TTL (Time to Live)

    TTL determines how long DNS records are cached before checking for updates.

    300

    5 minutes

    Use when making frequent changes

    3600

    1 hour

    Balanced option

    14400

    4 hours

    Standard default

    86400

    24 hours

    For stable, rarely-changed records

    DNS Propagation

    After making DNS changes, it takes time for updates to spread worldwide.

    Local ISP

    5 min - 1 hour

    Most Locations

    2-6 hours

    Worldwide

    Up to 48 hours

    Check propagation: WhatsMyDNS |DNS Checker

    Email DNS Records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC)

    SPF (Sender Policy Framework)

    Specifies which mail servers can send email from your domain.

    Name: @
Type: TXT
Value: "v=spf1 a mx include:_spf.yourdomain.com ~all"

Explanation:
- a: Allow A record IP
- mx: Allow MX record servers
- ~all: Soft fail for others (mark as spam)

    DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)

    Adds digital signature to outgoing emails.

    Name: default._domainkey
Type: TXT
Value: "v=DKIM1; k=rsa; p=YOUR_PUBLIC_KEY"

    DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication)

    Tells receiving servers what to do with failed SPF/DKIM checks.

    Name: _dmarc
Type: TXT
Value: "v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; rua=mailto:dmarc@yourdomain.com"

Policies:
- p=none: Monitor only
- p=quarantine: Mark as spam
- p=reject: Reject the email

    Troubleshooting DNS Issues

    Website Not Loading

    • • Verify A record points to correct IP
    • • Check DNS propagation status
    • • Clear browser cache
    • • Test with different DNS server

    Email Not Working

    • • Verify MX records are correct
    • • Check priority values (lower = higher priority)
    • • Confirm SPF record is valid
    • • Test with MX lookup tools

    Subdomain Not Resolving

    • • Check A or CNAME record exists
    • • Verify record is for correct subdomain
    • • Wait for propagation
    • • Check for typos in record name

    Best Practices

    • • Always backup current records before making changes
    • • Lower TTL before making major changes
    • • Use descriptive names for records
    • • Test changes in staging environment first