DNS Record Types Cheat Sheet
In case you are just starting managing your DNS, these DNS record types are fundamental. So, let’s explain a little bit more about them.
SOA record
The acronym SOA stands for Start Of Authority, and it is essential to explain this record first. With it, you can show the origin of the authority DNS zone. This DNS record holds inside very important information about the DNS zone. It is a must-have if you want your DNS network to operate normally. The SOA record points to the primary DNS server. In addition, it stores information for the domain administrator and contact information. It also includes parameters such as the domain serial number and how often it should refresh. It is important to note that there should be just one SOA record for a particular DNS zone.
Learn everything about the DNS SOA Record!
A and AAAA record
The A record is probably the most well-known of all DNS record types. The reason for that is simple, and it is in use in nearly every DNS system. The purpose of the A (address) record is to map a domain name to its corresponding IP address. Thanks to it, people are not obliged to memorize long and challenging numbers. However, the A record is applicable only when it comes to IPv4 addresses.
On the other hand, the AAAA record comes in handy when we want to map a domain name to an IPv6 address. However, compared to the A record, it is not so frequently used. With increasing the number of devices worldwide, eventually, the IPv6 address and the AAAA record are going to get more popular.
MX record
The MX (Mail Exchanger) record is another one of the common and essential DNS record types. With it, you are able to point the email server responsible for receiving emails for your domain. It includes the domain name, which points to the hostname of the incoming mail server. Remember, it has to point to a hostname, not an IP address.
It is possible to set several MX records with different priorities and establish a backup in case of some difficulties. This DNS record type is crucial for you if you want to receive emails.
CNAME record
The CNAME record indicates the actual, canonical domain name for the domain or subdomain. A popular way of implementing this DNS record type is for subdomains. That way, the administration of your DNS becomes easier. You only have to make a CNAME record for each of your subdomains and point it to the domain name. Then, every time you make any modifications to your domain, you don’t have to update the changes over for each subdomain.
PTR record
The PTR record is another fundamental DNS record, which is oftentimes called pointer record. It performs quite the opposite to the A record and it is used for backchecks. It points an IP address (IPv4 or IPv6) to a hostname. It is necessary because the rest of the servers worldwide might require proving that an IP address actually relates to a hostname before accepting a service, involving in communication, or some other action. Therefore, it is principally used a lot in the verification of the host.