e-help

domain name

A domain name normally looks like this : samitkumarpatel.com

• samitkumarpatel domain name under com directory.

A domain can have subdomain like

• api.samitkumarpatel.com
• www.samitkumarpatel.com
• x.samitkumarpatel.com and each subdomain can point to different record type.

These are the supported record type with their purpose

A (Address Record)

• Purpose: Maps a domain name to an IPv4 address.
• Usage: Directs traffic to the correct server based on the domain name.
• Example: example.com -> 192.0.2.1

AAAA (IPv6 Address Record)

• Purpose: Maps a domain name to an IPv6 address.
• Usage: Similar to A records but for IPv6 addresses.
• Example: example.com -> 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334

CNAME (Canonical Name Record)

• Purpose: Aliases one domain name to another.
• Usage: Useful for pointing multiple domain names to the same IP address without needing multiple A or AAAA records.
• Example: www.example.com -> example.com

MX (Mail Exchange Record)

• Purpose: Directs email to mail servers for a domain.
• Usage: Specifies the mail servers responsible for receiving email on behalf of a domain.
• Example: example.com -> mail.example.com with priority values.

NS (Name Server Record)

• Purpose: Specifies the authoritative name servers for a domain.
• Usage: Indicates which servers are responsible for DNS queries for the domain.
• Example: example.com -> ns1.example.com

TXT (Text Record)

• Purpose: Stores text information.
• Usage: Often used for verification purposes, such as SPF (Sender Policy Framework) records for email validation.
• Example: example.com -> "v=spf1 include:_spf.example.com ~all"

PTR (Pointer Record)

• Purpose: Maps an IP address to a domain name (reverse DNS lookup).
• Usage: Used for reverse DNS lookups to verify the domain name associated with an IP address.
• Example: 192.0.2.1 -> example.com

SOA Start of Authority Record)

• Purpose: Contains administrative information about the domain.
• Usage: Specifies the primary name server, email of the domain administrator, domain serial number, and timers for zone transfers.
• Example: example.com -> ns1.example.com admin.example.com 2024010101 3600 1800 1209600 3600

SRV (Service Locator Record)

• Purpose: Specifies the location of services.
• Usage: Used to define the location of servers for specific services, such as SIP or LDAP.
• Example: _sip._tcp.example.com -> sipserver.example.com

CAA (Certification Authority Authorization Record)

• Purpose: Specifies which certificate authorities (CAs) are allowed to issue certificates for a domain.
• Usage: Enhances security by restricting which CAs can issue SSL/TLS certificates for the domain.
• Example: example.com -> 0 issue "letsencrypt.org"

When to Use Each Record Type

• A and AAAA Records: Map domain names to IP addresses for web hosting and other services.
• CNAME Records: Alias one domain name to another, simplifying DNS management.
• MX Records: Direct email traffic to the correct mail servers.
• NS Records: Delegate DNS authority to specific name servers.
• TXT Records: Store various text-based information, including email verification and security policies.
• PTR Records: Perform reverse DNS lookups, often required for email server verification.
• SOA Records: Define administrative details and zone transfer settings for a domain.
• SRV Records: Specify the location of specific services within a domain.
• CAA Records: Control which CAs can issue certificates for your domain, enhancing security.

back