Understanding DNS Records: A, CNAME, MX, TXT, NS, AAAA, SRV

What Are DNS Records?

DNS records are pieces of information stored on special servers called DNS servers. They act like digital instructions that tell the internet how to handle your domain name, where to find your website, where to deliver your emails, or even how to verify your domain ownership.

Just like your phone’s contacts match names to phone numbers, DNS records match domain names (like telahosting.com) to IP addresses (like 192.168.1.1) so that browsers know where to go.

What is DNS?

DNS stands for Domain Name System. It works like a phonebook for the internet. It turns easy-to-remember domain names like telahosting.com into numbers (104.21.19.204) that computers use to find websites.

How DNS Works

When you type telahosting.com into your browser, here is what happens step by step:

1. Your browser first checks if it already knows the IP address from a previous visit (cached).
2. If not, it asks a DNS resolver (usually your ISP or public DNS like Google’s 8.8.8.8).
3. The resolver checks various DNS servers until it finds the one responsible for com.
4. That server sends back the correct IP address.
5. Your browser then connects you to the correct server and loads the website.

All of this happens in milliseconds.

Why DNS Records Matter

DNS records:

• Connect your domain to your hosting server.
• Direct email traffic to your mail servers.
• Verify your domain ownership with services like Google or Microsoft.
• Enhance security by protecting against spam and phishing.
• Help manage subdomains like blog.telahosting.com or store.telahosting.com.

In short, DNS records are the behind-the-scenes workers that make sure everything online points to the right place.

Why You Should Care About DNS Records

DNS records are what determine whether your website loads properly, your emails reach your customers, and your online services stay secure.

Types of DNS Records

DNS records come in different types, each serving a specific purpose:

• A Record: Connects your domain name to an IPv4 address.
• AAAA Record: Connects your domain name to an IPv6 address.
• CNAME Record: Redirects one domain to another.
• MX Record: Routes your emails to the right mail server.
• TXT Record: Store’s text-based data like verification or security keys.
• NS Record: Defines which servers manage your DNS.
• SRV Record: Specifies the location of specific services like VoIP or IM.

A Record

A record maps your domain name to an IPv4 address, that is the unique numerical address of the server where your website is hosted. When someone types telahosting.com, the A record tells the browser, “Hey, this domain is hosted at 192.168.1.1.” It is like giving directions to your digital home. (e.g telahosting.com.   IN   A   192.168.1.1)

A records are essential for:

• Connecting your main domain to your hosting server.
• Linking subdomains (e.g telahosting.com) to specific IPs.
• Managing load balancing and CDN configurations.

If you ever move your website to a new server, you will need to update your A record. Within a few hours, your visitors will automatically start reaching the new location, thanks to DNS propagation.

AAAA Record

AAAA record is basically the upgraded version of the A record, it is designed to work with IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6). IPv6 addresses are longer, more complex, and capable of supporting the billions of new devices joining the internet every day.

An AAAA record maps your domain name to an IPv6 address. So instead of pointing telahosting.com to something like 192.168.1.1, it points to something like 2400:cb00:2048:1::c629:d7a2. (e.g telahosting.com.   IN   AAAA   2400:cb00:2048:1::c629:d7a2)

IPv6 improves speed, security, and efficiency. With IPv6 support, your site can connect faster in certain regions, handle more visitors, and stay ready for the future of the internet.

CNAME Record

A CNAME (Canonical Name) record acts like an alias. It lets one domain point to another domain name instead of an IP address. For example, blog.telahosting.com could point to telahosting.com, which already has an A record pointing to the right IP. (e.g blog.telahosting.com.   IN   CNAME   telahosting.com.

So, if the main IP changes, you only need to update it once, all linked subdomains will automatically follow.

CNAMEs are perfect for:

• Subdomains (blog, shop, mail, etc.)
• Redirecting branded URLs
• Integrating with third-party platforms (like email or analytics tools)

MX Record

MX (Mail Exchange) record tells the internet where to deliver your emails, pointing them to the correct mail server. Each MX record includes a priority value, determining which server to try first. The lower the number, the higher the priority (e.g telahosting.com.   IN   MX   10 mail.telahosting.com.).

If you have multiple mail servers, you might set up:

• telahosting.com.   IN   MX   10 mail1.telahosting.com.
• telahosting.com.   IN   MX   20 mail2.telahosting.com.

This ensures your email remains reliable, if one server fails, the next one takes over.

TXT Record

TXT records store text-based data that is often used for domain verification and email security. When you connect your domain to services like Google, Facebook, or Microsoft, they will ask you to add a TXT record to prove you own it. You will also use TXT records to set up SPF, DKIM, and DMARC, which protect your emails from spam and spoofing (e.g telahosting.com.   IN   TXT   “v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all”).

This line tells mail servers which platforms are authorized to send emails on behalf of your domain. It is a small record with a big responsibility, it keeps your domain’s reputation safe.

NS Record

The NS (Name Server) record defines which servers are responsible for managing your domain’s DNS settings. It determines where all your DNS configurations live. (e.g

telahosting.com.   IN   NS   ns1.telahosting.com.

telahosting.com.   IN   NS   ns2.telahosting.com.)

These name servers tell the world where to look when someone types your domain name. If your NS records aren’t set correctly, your website and email may not resolve at all.

SRV Record

SRV records are less common but very useful when you’re dealing with services that require specific ports or protocols, like VoIP (Voice over IP), instant messaging, or video conferencing tools. (e.g _sip._tcp.telahosting.com.   IN   SRV   10 60 5060 sip.telahosting.com.)

Here’s what each part means:

• _tcp: The service and protocol.
• 10: Priority.
• 60: Weight (used for load balancing).
• 5060: Port number.
• telahosting.com: The target server.

SRV records are like the traffic managers of specialized online services, ensuring the right connections go to the right servers every time.

How to Manage Your DNS Records?

1. Login to your telaHosting dashboard.
2. Navigate to your domain management section.
3. Click on “Manage DNS.”
4. Add, edit, or delete records as needed.
5. Save your changes, they will automatically start propagating.

You can manage everything from A, CNAME, MX, TXT, NS, AAAA, and SRV records in one place.

How to Keep Your DNS Settings Secure?

1. Use Strong Passwords for Your Hosting Account: Always use strong, unique passwords and change them regularly. Avoid using the same password across multiple accounts.

2. Enable Two-Factor Authentication (2FA): At telaHosting, we offer 2FA for extra protection. This adds an extra layer of security even if someone steals your password.

3. Limit Who Has Access to Your DNS Settings: Only grant DNS editing rights to trusted individuals or IT professionals. Too many cooks in the kitchen can lead to mistakes.

4. Regularly Back Up Your DNS Records: Before making any major DNS record change, take note of your current setup. You can easily export or screenshot your records for safekeeping.

5. Monitor for Unauthorized Changes: Keep an eye on your DNS logs. If you notice any unknown updates, revert immediately and contact your hosting support.

Conclusion

DNS records might sound intimidating at first, but once you understand the basics it starts to make perfect sense. Each record plays a vital role in connecting users to your website, emails, and online services.

Whether you are launching your first website or managing multiple domains, mastering DNS gives you the power to control your online presence with confidence. And the best part is that you do not have to do it alone. With telaHosting, managing DNS becomes simple, fast, and secure.

FAQs

1. What is the most important DNS record?
The A record is typically the most essential, as it connects your domain name to your web server’s IP address.

2. How long does it take for DNS changes to update?
Usually between a few minutes and 48 hours, depending on DNS propagation and TTL settings.

3. Can I have both A and CNAME records for the same domain?
No. A domain name should either have an A record or a CNAME record — not both.

4. What happens if I delete my MX record?
Your domain will no longer be able to send or receive emails until a valid MX record is restored.

5. Does telaHosting manage DNS for me automatically?
Yes! telaHosting automatically sets up and manages DNS for your domains. You can also customize them anytime using our easy control panel.