What are the different types of DNS records?
There are several types of DNS records. Each has specific roles and functions. Here is a short list of the main ones to help you distinguish them and understand their respective uses.
A: This record is used to match a DNS name to an ipv4 IP address.
Example: www.mondomaine.com. IN A 212.27.35.185
AAAA: This DNS record is used to match a DNS name to an ipv6 IP address.
Example: irc.mondomaine.com. IN AAAA 2b04:ehf:1:f:3p0:c4ff:fia5:4da0
*CNAME: This type of record is used to match two DNS names.
Example: sql.mondomaine.ext. IN CNAME mysql1.unautredomaine.ext.
MX: An MX record allows you to configure for a given DNS area (associated with mail servers) in the form of a DNS name.
Example: mondomaine.com. IN MX 10 mondomaine.com.
The DNS name used in an MX record must be of type A. It is not possible to use an IP or a CNAME record.
The figure represents the priority level. This is the order in which mail servers must be contacted if there is more than one.
TXT: This record stores a string of up to 1024 characters. As the name indicates, it is used to add text elements.
URL Redirect: This record allows you to redirect your domain (or subdomain) to another web address. The redirect is not displayed in the URL address bar.
URL Frame: Like the Redirect URL, this record does the redirect to the specified website. However, it differs by displaying the redirected domain name in the URL bar
The most common DNS record types
A: This record is used to match a DNS name to an ipv4 IP address.
Example: www.mondomaine.com. IN A 212.27.35.185
AAAA: This DNS record is used to match a DNS name to an ipv6 IP address.
Example: irc.mondomaine.com. IN AAAA 2b04:ehf:1:f:3p0:c4ff:fia5:4da0
*CNAME: This type of record is used to match two DNS names.
Example: sql.mondomaine.ext. IN CNAME mysql1.unautredomaine.ext.
MX: An MX record allows you to configure for a given DNS area (associated with mail servers) in the form of a DNS name.
Example: mondomaine.com. IN MX 10 mondomaine.com.
The DNS name used in an MX record must be of type A. It is not possible to use an IP or a CNAME record.
The figure represents the priority level. This is the order in which mail servers must be contacted if there is more than one.
TXT: This record stores a string of up to 1024 characters. As the name indicates, it is used to add text elements.
URL Redirect: This record allows you to redirect your domain (or subdomain) to another web address. The redirect is not displayed in the URL address bar.
URL Frame: Like the Redirect URL, this record does the redirect to the specified website. However, it differs by displaying the redirected domain name in the URL bar
Updated on: 18/05/2023
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