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Ibrahim S
Ibrahim S

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What are DNS records?

DNS records are essential components of the Domain Name System, directing and managing internet traffic for domain names. Here are the key DNS record types and their functions:

  1. A Record (Address Record): Maps a domain to an IPv4 address, directing traffic to the correct server.

  2. AAAA Record: Similar to an A record, but maps a domain to an IPv6 address.

  3. CNAME Record (Canonical Name): Creates an alias by pointing one domain or subdomain to another, allowing multiple services to link to a single IP address.

  4. MX Record (Mail Exchange): Specifies mail servers for a domain, prioritizing email delivery routes.

  5. TXT Record: Holds text data for the domain, often used for domain verification and email security protocols like SPF and DKIM.

  6. NS Record (Name Server): Lists authoritative DNS servers for a domain, helping locate its other records.

  7. SOA Record (Start of Authority): Contains administrative information about the domain, such as primary name server, domain serial number, and update intervals.

  8. PTR Record (Pointer): Used for reverse DNS lookups, linking an IP address back to a domain name.

  9. SRV Record (Service Record): Specifies servers for specific services, including their ports; commonly used in VoIP and messaging.

  10. CAA Record (Certificate Authority Authorization): Indicates which Certificate Authorities can issue SSL/TLS certificates for the domain, adding a layer of security.

  11. NAPTR Record (Name Authority Pointer): Enables flexible service location with regular expression-based domain rewrites, typically used alongside SRV records

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