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Creating Records

DNS records translate your domain name to the correct servers for websites, email, or other services.
Correctly setting these records is important to ensure your domain functions reliably and is easily reachable.

A Record​

In this section about A records, we will look at how to create them and provide a brief explanation of what A records are.

What is an A record​

An A record (Address Record) links a domain name or subdomain to a specific IPv4 address.
This ensures visitors are directed to the correct server when they enter your domain name.

Step 1: DNS Management screen​

Log in to your control panel. Once in the control panel, click on Account Manager and then DNS Management.
You should then see the following screen.

Default directadmin

Step 2: Creating an A record​

Let's start creating a record. Click on Add Record.

Default directadmin

Step 3: Fill in the A record​

Follow the steps below to add an A record:

  1. Record Type:
    Select A from the dropdown menu.

  2. Name:
    Enter the subdomain (for example www, @ for root, or blog).

  3. TTL (Time To Live):
    Leave this at the default 3600 unless you want to use a different TTL.

  4. Value:
    Enter the IP address the domain should point to (e.g., 192.0.2.1).

  5. Click the green "ADD" button to save the record.

Default directadmin

Once you click ADD, the record will be added to the list.

NS Record​

In this section about NS records, we will look at how to create them and provide a brief explanation of what NS records are.

What is an NS record​

An NS record indicates which name servers are responsible for managing the DNS settings of a domain.
It ensures that traffic to your domain reaches the correct server for DNS information.

Step 1: DNS Management screen​

Log in to your control panel. Once in the control panel, click on Account Manager and then DNS Management.
You should then see the following screen.

Default directadmin

Step 2: Creating an NS record​

Let's start creating a record. Click on Add Record.

Default directadmin

Step 3: Create the NS record​

Follow the steps below to add an NS record:

  1. Record Type:
    Select NS from the dropdown menu.

  2. Name:
    Enter @ for the main domain or a subdomain for which you want to set a separate nameserver.

  3. TTL (Time To Live):
    Leave this at the default 3600.

  4. Value:
    Enter the full name of the nameserver (e.g., ns1.example.com.).

  5. Click the green "ADD" button to save the record.

Default directadmin

Once you click ADD, the record will be added to the list.

MX Record​

In this section about MX records, we will look at how to create them and provide a brief explanation of what MX records are.

What is an MX record​

An MX record (Mail Exchange record) is a DNS setting that indicates which mail server should receive emails for a domain.

Step 1: DNS Management screen​

Log in to your control panel. Once in the control panel, click on Account Manager and then DNS Management.
You should then see the following screen.

Default directadmin

Step 2: DNS Management screen​

Let's start creating a record. Click on Add Record.

Default directadmin

Step 3: Create the MX record​

Follow the steps below to add an MX record:

  1. Record Type:
    Select MX from the dropdown menu.

  2. Name:
    Enter @ for the main domain.

  3. TTL (Time To Live):
    Leave this at the default 3600.

  4. Value:
    Enter the priority and mail server separated by a space (e.g., 10 mail.example.com.).

  5. Click the green "ADD" button to save the record.

Default directadmin

Once you click ADD, the record will be added to the list.

CNAME Record​

In this section about CNAME records, we will look at how to create them and provide a brief explanation of what CNAME records are.

What is a CNAME record​

A CNAME record (Canonical Name) is used to point a subdomain to another domain name (instead of an IP address like with an A record).

Step 1: DNS Management screen​

Log in to your control panel. Once in the control panel, click on Account Manager and then DNS Management.
You should then see the following screen.

Default directadmin

Step 2: DNS Management screen​

Let's start creating a record. Click on Add Record.

Default directadmin

Step 3: Create the CNAME record​

Now we will create our CNAME record. What to fill in:

  1. Record Type:
    Select CNAME from the dropdown menu.

  2. Name:
    Enter the subdomain you want to redirect (e.g., www).

  3. TTL (Time To Live):
    Leave this at the default 3600.

  4. Value:
    Enter the target URL where the domain should point (e.g., example.com.).

  5. Click the green "ADD" button to save the record.

Default directadmin

Once you click ADD, the record will be added to the list.

TXT Record​

In this section about TXT records, we will look at how to create them and provide a brief explanation of what TXT records are.

What is a TXT record​

A TXT record is a DNS record that stores textual information, often used for domain verification and email security such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC.

Step 1: DNS Management screen​

Log in to your control panel. Once in the control panel, click on Account Manager and then DNS Management.
You should then see the following screen.

Default directadmin

Step 2: DNS Management screen​

Let's start creating a record. Click on Add Record.

Default directadmin

Step 3: Create the TXT record​

Follow the steps below to add a TXT record:

  1. Record Type:
    Select TXT from the dropdown menu.

  2. Name:
    Enter @ or the desired subdomain (e.g., @ for root or _dmarc).

  3. TTL (Time To Live):
    Leave this at the default 3600.

  4. Value:
    Enter the textual content (e.g., an SPF record like "v=spf1 include:_spf.example.com ~all").

  5. Click the green "ADD" button to save the record.

Default directadmin

Once you click ADD, the record will be added to the list.