Manage your domain's DNS records

DNS (Domain Name System) records are like your phone's contact list, but for the internet. They translate domain names (like "google.com") into IP addresses, which are numbers that identify computers on the internet (like 192.168.1.1). This allows your browser to find and display the correct website.

Before proceeding, make sure you understand these concepts:

• What is a domain;
• What are DNS records.

How do I change DNS records?

Warning

This guide is written in a generic way to give you a general idea of ​​the process of changing a domain's DNS. Specific procedures may vary based on the provider you choose and may not reflect the contents of this guide. Always refer to your chosen provider's guides or follow their support advice.

Changing DNS records is like updating a friend's address in your address book. Here's how:

1. Log in to your domain registrar account: Go to your registrar's website (such as GoDaddy, Namecheap) and log in to your account.
2. Find the DNS section: Look for the section where you can manage your DNS settings. It's usually called "DNS Management" or "DNS Settings".
3. Edit Records: Find the record you want to change (e.g. an A record) and edit the necessary information, such as the IP address.
4. Save Changes: After updating the records, save the changes.

Edit DNS records carefully

Always edit a domain's DNS records carefully, as an incorrect edit can take domain-related services offline, sometimes irretrievably:

1. Deleting existing DNS records: If you delete an important DNS record, such as an A record or an MX record, your website and associated emails will stop working. For example, if you delete the A record for "mysite.com," no one will be able to access your site.
2. Overwriting a record value: If you overwrite a value with incorrect information, traffic to your website may be directed to the wrong server. For example, if you change the IP address of the A record to the wrong one, users will see a different site or an error.
3. Editing incorrect data: Incorrect changes to DNS records can cause problems accessing your site and email. For example, an error in your MX records can cause your email to stop working, preventing you from sending and receiving messages.

DNS Record Management Best Practices

1. Backup DNS Records: Before making any changes, it's a good idea to download a backup of your DNS records. Many registrars offer the option to export your DNS records to a file. This allows you to quickly restore your previous settings if something goes wrong.
2. Test Changes: After you've changed your DNS records, test immediately to make sure everything is working properly. For example, try logging into your website and sending/receiving emails.
3. Incremental Updates: If you need to make multiple changes, do so incrementally, changing one record at a time and testing before moving on to the next.

Practical Example

Let's say you have a website called "mysite.com" and you change the IP address of the server where it's hosted. You need to update the A record:

1. Log in to your registrar (e.g. Namecheap).
2. Go to DNS management for "mysite.com".
3. Download the DNS backup to recover them in case of errors. Save the backup in a safe place.
4. Find the A record for "mysite.com".
5. Change the IP address to the new one (e.g. from "192.168.1.1" to "192.168.2.2").
6. Save changes.

DNS record changes can be immediate or take a while to propagate everywhere. The speed at which changes propagate depends on several factors and the type of provider you choose.

Conclusion

DNS records are essential to making your website and email work properly. Changing them is simple and similar to updating a contact in your phone book. With these steps, you can manage your DNS records effectively.