DNS Record Types Explained
Full Answer
The following are the five major DNS record types:A record.AAAA record.CNAME record.Nameserver (NS) record.Mail exchange (MX) record.
3 types of DNS queries—recursive, iterative, and non-recursive.
Record sets A record set (also known as a resource record set) is the collection of DNS records in a zone that have the same name and are of the same type. Most record sets contain a single record. However, examples like the one above, in which a record set contains more than one record, are not uncommon.
All DNS servers fall into one of four categories: Recursive resolvers, root nameservers, TLD nameservers, and authoritative nameservers.
DNS (which stands for domain name system) records are officially called resource records. Furthermore, on BlueCat's platform, we label them as DNS query types. These names are used interchangeably. There are around 90 different official resource record types.
In general, there are two ways of resolving a host or a domain name to an IP address, using the domain name system – a Recursive query and a non-Recursive query.
Use a website that gathers domain information, like WHOIS lookup, to look up public information about your name server. Search your domain name. Enter your domain name in the search field, such as mywebsite.com, and look up the domain information. Look for Name Server information in search results.
An A record maps a domain to the physical IP address of the computer hosting that domain. Internet traffic uses the A record to find the computer hosting your domain's DNS settings. The value of an A record is always an IP address, and multiple A records can be configured for one domain name.
A DNS record is simply a database that maps human-friendly URLs to IP addresses. When someone types in a URL such as google.com, that entry is sent to an internet service provider (ISP) where it'is forwarded to the DNS servers, and then directed to the proper web server using the corresponding IP address as a label.
(MX)A DNS 'mail exchange' (MX) record directs email to a mail server. The MX record indicates how email messages should be routed in accordance with the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP, the standard protocol for all email). Like CNAME records, an MX record must always point to another domain.
The CLASS of a record is set to IN (for Internet) for common DNS records involving Internet hostnames, servers, or IP addresses.
A and AAAA records are equally important when it comes to resolving DNS. The difference lies in that A records is used to resolve a hostname which corresponds to an IPv4 address, while AAAA records are used to resolve a domain name which corresponds to an IPv6 address.
Like A records, AAAA records enable client devices to learn the IP address for a domain name. The client device can then connect with and load the website. AAAA records are only used when a domain has an IPv6 address in addition to an IPv4 address, and when the client device in question is configured to use IPv6.
Difference Between A and CNAME An A Record maps a hostname to one or more IP addresses, while the CNAME record maps a hostname to another hostname.
A Canonical Name or CNAME record is a type of DNS record that maps an alias name to a true or canonical domain name. CNAME records are typically used to map a subdomain such as www or mail to the domain hosting that subdomain's content.
Common DNS recordsRoot domain ( example.com ) Each domain needs to have a record for the root domain. ... www subdomain: ( www.example.com ) It's common to have the www subdomain configured in addition to the root domain. ... MX email records. ... CAA record.
DNS records or zone files store information about domains. They consist of a series of text files written in the DNS syntax and are stored on DNS servers.
DNS management is a significant hurdle in enterprise environments. DNS infrastructure needs to be organized properly to avoid security and performance issues. By following DNS best practices, most potential problems can be evaded.
DNSKEY records hold public data keys used to verify DNSSEC signatures. An example of a DNSKEY record might look like:
HINFO (host information) records store details about the hardware and operating system the host is using. Due to security concerns, only certain application protocols use this information which is rarely stored on public servers.
DNS cache can be corrupted for a number of different reasons, including network attacks or viruses. When that happens, IP address mapping becomes corrupted for certain popular websites.
Host: Contains the domain name of the key holder. Domain names ending with a period do not append the origin to the label.
AFSDB records connect a domain name to an AFS (Andrew File System) number. This record type is commonly used to contact AFS cells outside the client's local domain.
This record is called a Domain Name System record , commonly known as a DNS record. After you set up this record, more types of DNS records store your domain name and all domains or subdomains you connect to. There are DNS records for all your website software services, too. DNS records help the Internet understand how to send and receive information to your website.
Your DNS hosting records are managed on the side of your nameservers for your domain name or your ‘domain host.’ This could be the original basic service, or another hosting server, or a DNS service. To modify your domain's DNS records, you must sign in at your domain host. If you're not sure who this is, you can identify your domain host here .
Your DNS configuration will consist of a list of your DNS records inside your account panel of your hosting provider or registrar’s nameserver service. If you choose to use DNS hosting with a company (the most common way if you are starting in business or have an SME to a large company), you might have done this with the same company as your domain registration or gone to another domain host.
The Domain Name System is a bit like a postal service. There are millions of DNS servers carrying DNS records information to users about the websites they are visiting. Each server in the delivery chain needs to be up-to-date with the latest information within the DNS records.
Type any website name into a browser, and the browser tracks down your website’s nameserver (NS) record. This translates your IP address, which is a series of numbers, into a word address— yourdomainname.com —which is far easier to remember. Once this is done, a user can see your website.
If a user shops on your website, an ‘A’ record points to the File Transfer Protocol, or [email protected] record, for your IP address. This checks the file is a verified part of your website.
Every Internet website starts with a domain. A domain is really just a name—like this site is called ‘Namecheap.com.’ When you bring any domain, and the name, into your ownership, a record is needed to verify that your domain has an Internet Protocol (IP) address.
3 types of DNS queries— recursive, iterative, and non-recursive
DNS servers create a DNS record to provide important information about a domain or hostname, particularly its current IP address. The most common DNS record types are:
The Authoritative Name Server is the last stop in the name server query—it takes the hostname and returns the correct IP address to the DNS Resolver (or if it cannot find the domain, returns the message NXDOMAIN).
In a recursive query, a DNS client provides a hostname, and the DNS Resolver “must” provide an answer—it responds with either a relevant resource record, or an error message if it can't be found. The resolver starts a recursive query process, starting from the DNS Root Server, until it finds the Authoritative Name Server (for more on Authoritative Name Servers see DNS Server Types below) that holds the IP address and other information for the requested hostname.
The DNS server takes the hostname and resolves it into a numeric IP address, which the web browser can connect to. A component called a DNS Resolver is responsible for checking if the hostname is available in local cache, and if not, contacts a series of DNS Name Servers, until eventually it receives the IP of the service ...
DNS is a global system for translating IP addresses to human-readable domain names. When a user tries to access a web address like “example.com”, their web browser or application performs a DNS Query against a DNS server, supplying the hostname. The DNS server takes the hostname and resolves it into a numeric IP address, ...
Canonical Name record (CNAME Record)—can be used to alias a hostname to another hostname. When a DNS client requests a record that contains a CNAME, which points to another hostname, the DNS resolution process is repeated with the new hostname.
Three types of queries occurs in DNS query: 1 Recursive Query: Recursive query is a type of query in which the DNS server will do all the job of answering the users. In recursive query DNS server querying to the other DNS server on behalf of the user. When the user requesting by asking name to the server, the server performs complete translation and the user directly gets the IP address of the domain. 2 Iterative Query: In an iterative query, the user can request repeatedly to the different DNS servers for resolution. It means iterative DNS query is a request for a website or URL, DNS server responds with the IP address, if the server does not have the requested IP address then request forwarded to other DNS server. 3 Non-Recursive Query: The non-recursive query is a query in which the DNS Resolver already knows the answer. That either immediately returns the DNS records or queries the name server which is authoritative for the records, because that stored in local cache, immediate response to be given to the user.
DNS query is also known as a DNS request. So, it is a request for information that is sent from the user’s computer to ask for the IP address to a DNS server. This means the DNS client is querying the DNS server to get the IP address, related to that domain. Three types of queries occurs in DNS query:
DNS Root Server: Root servers are the DNS name servers that are operated in the root zone, root zone is the stored record of queries so that server can directly answer the query from the root zone or cache within the root zone. The DNS uses 13 DNS servers and that is based on a constraint of Internet Protocol version 4.
It means iterative DNS query is a request for a website or URL, DNS server responds with the IP address, if the server does not have the requested IP address then request forwarded to other DNS server. Non-Recursive Query: The non-recursive query is a query in which the DNS Resolver already knows the answer.
The DNS server is the ‘authoritative’, the authoritative name is given to the specific hostname because it holds the up-to-date information about that hostname. 3. DNS Records. DNS server created a DNS record to give important information about the domain or hostname and its current IP address. The common DNS record types are –.
Address mapping record (A record): Address mapping record is known as ‘A record’, it is a host of DNS record which stores a hostname and its corresponding IP address, it means that to provide the IP address associated with the domain name. It is a type of DNS record .
DNS servers convert domain names into IP addresses. It takes request from human and converts that into machine IP addresses that make easier to reach the origin server .
Host record or A record is the most basic type of record exists in the DNS server. A-record serves the basic function of DNS server which is to map a hostname string into its IP address. In A-record properties, the “ Name ” field contains information about the hostname and the “ Data ” field will contain the IP address information of the host. For example: “the IP address of host named AS-DCO001 in zone named mustbegeek.com is 192.168.0.7 ”.
In Windows Server 2012 R2, DNS record type can be seen in the DNS Manager. Browse to the zone name, either a forward lookup zone or a reverse lookup zone, and see the records inside that zone. You will see the record type next to the record “ Name ” in the DNS Manager. Knowing how to see the type of DNS record is the first step towards understanding different types of record in DNS server. Note that there is certain type of record that can only exist in a certain type of zone.
SOA or Start of Authority, is a DNS record that contains the name of the server that holds all the information regarding a record. It includes authoritative information such as server identification number, the responsible mail address, the primary nameserver, etc.
AAAA record. AAAA record is very similar to A record, the only difference is that A record is using IPv4 and AAAA record is using IPv6. Every provision that applies in A record applies to AAAA record too, except that AAAA record is mapping a hostname string into its IPv6 address.
Alias or CNAME is mapping of a hostname into another hostname. CNAME is used to create an alias for an existing A record. For example, an alias “ service.mustbegeek.com ” can be used to point to an existing A-record “ AS-SVC001.mustbegeek.com ” where the service is hosted.
Static record — is a record that doesn’t have timestamp information (it will instead have the word “static” printed on its timestamp properties). Static record can only be updated or deleted from the DNS server on-command by the administrator or another program. Dynamic record — is a record with timestamp information.
DNS record contains two important fields, “ Name ” and “ Data ”. Both fields are being used for lookup and this record format applies to all DNS records in all zones. However, despite of using the same format, there are actually several types of DNS records based on their purpose. To help you Understanding Different Types of Record in DNS Server, we’re going to break down the explanation for each type of the DNS record.
Also known as A Record is among the most common type of DNS. It is also known as the host record. Its main purpose is to store a hostname. Furthermore, it is also a corresponding IPv4 address.
The DNS or domain name system is something that ensures your internet is working exactly the way you want it to. However, with the constant evolution of technology, growing need for the internet, and growing use, there is a need to upgrade the system and add more features to it constantly.
Mail exchanger record or MX Record is a type of DNS record that helps to move the emails as per the preference of the domain owner. It works on the outgoing emails and routes them to the specific email server.
DNS records are important for carrying out different processes at the back end for someone who doesn’t know the DNS system. No network, internet, or website can work without it, and that’s why it is crucial.
IP Version 6 Address record is commonly known as the AAAA Record. It is quite useful for storing hostname along with IPv6 address.
It can also work for identifying the information about the user. This information includes finding the physical location etc. it can also control the flow of traffic across the domains and the hostname.
In simple words, a DNS system can’t work without its records. Although there are several types of common DNS records that are used, the technology keeps on evolving, and different types of DNS records are constantly coming into the light. Some of the most common types of DNS records are as follows: