Domain Name System(DNS) Management Tips

The internet is full of resources that are stored across servers in various locations and accessible through Domain Names. These Domains are mapped to the location of data storage through the means of IP Addresses and this mapping is accomplished using a system of creating Resource Records called Domain Name System (DNS). The DNS for a Domain defines the location of the resource, relevant to the particular Domain, and is retrieved as the DNS resolution of the Domain happens. The DNS resolution starts when a user requests for a Domain at the browser and ends with either the web page on screen or a relevant error message.

Most Domain Registration providers offer DNS Management as a part of the Domain Management control panel, however, this used to be a chargeable service until not too long ago. Slowly the providers have realized that DNS Management service, is an integral part of the Domain and thus has to be provided without a cost. Now, while it may look that DNS Management is necessarily a part of your Domain Registration, it is not necessarily that way. In fact, it is always suggested that the DNS Management should be configured with your hosting provider. This is since all of your resources, for the Domain Name, is with the Hosting provider and therefore it is advisable that the DNS Management be done at the Hosting servers.

While there are quite a few DNS Management Records that can be added for a Domain Name, the most common are listed as below:

Address (A) Record:

This is the most basic of records and points a Domain to an IP Address. This record is used if the DNS Management provider and the Hosting provider for a Domain Name are 2 different companies.

Canonical Name (CNAME) Record:

These are records that are used as Domain aliases for multiple Domains. Like abc.in can be CNAME to abc.com, which will display the content of "http://www.abc.com" when a user requests for "http://www.abc.in".

Mail Exchanger (MX) Records:

The MX record is useful for designating the servers that handle emails for a said Domain Name. So if a user is sending an email to "abc@123.com", then the MX record will define the IP Address for the servers that is handling emails for 123.com, and the email process will proceed.

Besides the above, there are following DNS resource records can be added for a Domain Name:

1. NameServer Records

2. Text (TXT) Records

3. Service (SRV) records

4. Start Of Authority (SOA) Records

While DNS Management can be seen as a bunch of a few records that associate Domain Names to IP Addresses, it is the back bone of the internet and is the core requirement for the smooth functioning of all internet services.

Author is a SEO expert at a Web Design in Mumbai Company