How familiar are you with common DNS records? Do you know what role these records play in reaching users to your website? Before we get to the introduction of DNS records, we need to learn about the use of these records.

DNS records are essential for websites to function properly. These instructions work as a map, telling the DNS server which domain each IP address’s DNS icon is associated with and how to handle access requests sent to them. In fact, these strings are commands that, despite their presence, the server guarantees that your site will work as it should.

What are the most used and common DNS records?

Although there are many different DNS records, some are more common and useful than others. In the following, we have introduced common DNS records.

1) A records

An A record, or address record, commonly known as a host record, is the most basic type of DNS. This record connects domain or subdomain addresses to an IP; So when someone types in your website address, they can easily access it. In fact, A records maintains the connection between the IP address and the domain name.

For example, when we enter the address google.com in the browser bar, this address is connected to Google’s IP address 74.125.224.147 using the A record and loaded for us.

2) CNAME records

CNAME records or Canonical Name Records connect one domain name (or subdomain) to another domain name. Using this record, you can update an A Record whenever a change happens and is needed.

Give an example?

Let’s say you want users to access your site with or without typing www at the beginning of the URL. In this case, you can connect the two addresses www.example.com and example.com using the CNAME record.

3) MX record

Other common DNS records include the MX record (abbreviation of Mail Exchanger). This record directs emails to the email server.

In other words, the MX record indicates how email messages should be routed according to the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP, or the standard protocol for all email).

4) TXT record

A text record (TXT Record) essentially stores text in DNS that can be read by humans.

In fact, this record is useful for providing information to external sources and proving our identity as the domain owner.

The most place where text record is used is to verify identity in Google. For example, if you want to register your site in Google, you will need a text record.

Among the other useful uses of text record, we can mention SPF (abbreviation of sender policy framework). The SPF record is used in most email systems. In this way, systems using SPF Record – which is the first layer of protection against spam – can confirm the correctness of the source or reject the messages as spam.

5) NS record

NS stands for nameserver, and the nameserver record indicates which DNS server is valid for that domain (that is, which server contains the actual DNS records). Basically, the NS record tells the Internet where to go to find the domain’s IP address.

A domain often has multiple NS records that can represent primary and backup servers for that domain. Note that without properly configuring NS records, users cannot access a website or application.

6) SOA record

This record stores important information such as the email address of the domain administrator, the last time the domain was updated, and information about the DNS Zone. DNS Zone is a management space that allows for more precise control of different DNS sections such as authoritative servers.

All DNS zones require an SOA to comply with IETF standards. Of course, the SOA record is also important for moving between regions

7) SRV record

Another record whose name is seen among the common DNS records is the SRV record. This record specifies a port for specific services. In fact, the SRV record specifies a host and port for specific services such as voice over IP (VoIP), instant messaging, etc.

Most DNS records only specify a server or an IP address, but SRV records also include a port at that IP address. Some Internet protocols also require the use of SRV records to function properly.

8) PTR record

DNS PTR records are used in reverse DNS lookups. That is, when a user tries to access a domain name in their browser, a DNS lookup occurs to match the domain name to the IP address. Reverse DNS lookup is the opposite of this process. In this method it’s a query that starts with the IP address and looks up the domain name.

What are the least used DNS records?

Sometimes just knowing the common DNS records is not enough for businesses! Because records that few people go to should be used. For this reason, we have introduced the less used DNS records below. Maybe these records will help you too.

1) AFSDB record

This record is used to locate resources from AFS and OSF databases. In other words, the AFSDB record connects the domain name to the AFS server.

2) APL record

APL stands for Address Prefix List. APL is a test record that specifies a list of address ranges.

3) CAA record

A CAA or Certification Authority Authorization record allows domain owners to know which certification authority can issue a certificate for that domain. If this record does not exist, anyone can issue a certificate for the domain.

4) DNSKEY record

This record contains one of the public keys used to verify Domain Name System Security Extension (DNSSEC) signatures.

 5) CDNSKEY record

This record is a smaller (child) copy of the DNSKEY record and is used to mean “pass to parent”.

6) CERT record

The CERT Record or Certificate Record provides space in the DNS for certificates. Also, this record confirms the authenticity of the certificate issuer and recipient and identifies revoked certificates.

7) DCHID record

The DCHID or DHCP Identifier record is used to store Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol (DHCP) information (DHCP is a standard network protocol used for network IPs).

8) DNAME record

A DNAME or delegation name record creates an alias domain name, such as a CNAME. With this record, you can redirect all subdomains in the best way.

9) HIP record

The HIP record or Host identity protocol is a method of distinguishing IP address roles. This record is often used in mobile computing.

10) IPSECKEY record

The IPSECKEY record or IPSEC key works with Internet Protocol Security (IPSEC), the Secure Endpoint Protocol Framework and part of the Internet Protocol Suite (TCP/IP).

11) LOC record

The LOC or Location record contains geographic information for a domain – in the form of latitude and longitude coordinates.

12) NAPTR record

A NAPTR record or name authority pointer can be combined with an SRV record and generate multiple URLs dynamically to point to a Regular Expression or RegEx.

13) NSEC record

An NSEC record or Next Secure Record is part of DNSSEC and is used to prove that a requested DNS resource record does not exist.

14) RRSIG record

An RRSIG record, or Resource Record Signature, is a record for storing digital signatures that are used to verify the authenticity of DNSSEC-compliant records.

15) RP record

The RP or Responsible Person record is used to store the email of the person responsible for the domain.

16) SSHFP record

SSHFP stands for Secure Shell Fingerprint and is responsible for identifying SSH keys that are associated with host names. SSHFP record access must be secured by a mechanism such as DNSSEC to maintain a secure path.

And at the end…

A series of instructions known as DNS records are required to maintain domain information in DNS servers. In this article, we have brought you the most common DNS records. These records are among the most essential items to bring the user to the desired website or application.

Of course, some websites use other records in addition to the common DNS records according to their goals, which depends on the business conditions and expectations. For this reason, we have also introduced useful but less used records in this article.