Domain Name System
A (Address) Record
Definition: Maps a domain name to an IPv4 address.
Example Use: Directing traffic to a web server with an IPv4 address.
AAAA (Quad-A) Record
Definition: Maps a domain name to an IPv6 address.
Example Use: Directing traffic to a web server with an IPv6 address.
CNAME (Canonical Name) Record
Definition: Points a domain name to another domain name (the "canonical" domain name).
Example Use: Redirecting multiple domain names to a single domain.
MX (Mail Exchange) Record
Definition: Specifies the mail server responsible for accepting email messages on behalf of a domain.
Example Use: Directing email to a domain's email server.
TXT (Text) Record
Definition: Allows administrators to insert arbitrary text into a DNS record. Often used for verification purposes.
Example Use: Verifying domain ownership, implementing email security measures like SPF and DKIM.
NS (Name Server) Record
Definition: Indicates the servers that are authoritative for a particular domain.
Example Use: Delegating control of a subdomain to a different DNS server.
SRV (Service) Record
Definition: Specifies the location of the server(s) for a specific service, such as SIP or XMPP.
Example Use: Directing traffic for Internet telephony or instant messaging applications.
SOA (Start of Authority) Record
Definition: Contains administrative information about a domain, including the primary name server, email of the domain administrator, domain serial number, and timers relating to refreshing the zone.
Example Use: Managing the transfer of zone data in DNS.
PTR (Pointer) Record
Definition: Maps an IP address to a domain name, the reverse of an A or AAAA record.
Example Use: Reverse DNS lookups, which are often used in anti-spam processes.
CAA (Certification Authority Authorization) Record
Definition: Specifies which certificate authorities (CAs) are allowed to issue certificates for a domain.
Example Use: Improving security by limiting which CAs can issue SSL/TLS certificates for your domain.
ALIAS Record
Definition: A virtual record type that works like a CNAME but can coexist with other records on the same domain.
Example Use: Pointing your root domain to a hostname when your DNS provider doesn't allow a CNAME at the apex.
ANAME Record
Definition: Similar to ALIAS record; it's a synthetic record that points a domain to the target name of another record.
Example Use: Directing your apex domain to a CDN or other service that does not provide a static IP.
DNS (Domain Name System)
Definition: The hierarchical and decentralized naming system for computers, services, or other resources connected to the Internet or a private network.
Example Use: Translating user-friendly domain names to IP addresses that network devices use to communicate.
This glossary covers the basic types of DNS records and should help you understand the structure and purpose of different entries in a domain's DNS settings.