Introduction

The Domain Name System (DNS) serves as a vital component of the internet, acting as a decentralized directory for computers, services, and resources connected to the web or private networks. Essentially, DNS functions as an address book, translating user-friendly domain names into the numerical IP addresses required for communication between devices.

DNS plays a critical role in facilitating internet access for users, enabling them to easily navigate to websites and access services without the need to memorize complex IP addresses.

Some common DNS records include:

1. Address Mapping Record (A Record) – Also known as a DNS host record, stores a hostname and its corresponding IPv4 address. This is your website’s IP address.
2. Mail Exchanger Record (MX Record) – Specifies an SMTP email server for the domain, used to route outgoing emails to an email server. This record is necessary for sending out emails.
3. Name Server Record (NS Record) – Specifies that a DNS Zone, such as “example.com” is delegated to a specific Authoritative Name Server, and provides the address of the name server.
4. Canonical Name Record (CNAME Record) – can be used to alias a hostname to another hostname. When a DNS client requests a record that contains a CNAME, which points to another hostname, the DNS resolution process is repeated with the new hostname.
5. Reverse-lookup Pointer Record  (PTR Record) – allows a DNS resolver to provide an IP address and receive a hostname (reverse DNS lookup).
6. Text Record (TXT Record) – Typically carries machine-readable data such as opportunistic encryption, sender policy framework, DKIM, DMARC, etc. This helps to improve the deliverability of emails sent from the mail server.
7. Start of Authority (SOA Record) – this record appears at the beginning of a DNS zone file, and indicates the Authoritative Name Server for the current DNS zone, contact details for the domain administrator, domain serial number, and information on how frequently DNS information for this zone should be refreshed.

In addition, here’s some guides for how to change your website’s DNS record for our SME/Shared Hosting users:

• How to add DNS records in Plesk control panel
• Modifying A Record in DirectAdmin
• Modifying MX Record DirectAdmin

Conclusion

By grasping the purpose and function of these DNS records, users can effectively manage their online infrastructure, optimize website performance, and ensure smooth communication across the internet. Additionally, knowing how to modify DNS records, as outlined in the provided guides, empowers SMEs and shared hosting users to adapt their online presence to meet their evolving needs.