A records: what they are and how to add one

An A record maps a name to an IPv4 address. It’s the record that tells browsers which server your website is on.

yourdomain.co.uk.    3600   IN   A   203.0.113.10

That reads: the name yourdomain.co.uk, cached for 3600 seconds, has the IPv4 address 203.0.113.10.

When you need one

• Pointing the bare domain (@) at a server — this must be an A record, not a CNAME
• Pointing a subdomain at a different server, such as a service outside Traxio
• Connecting a domain to Traxio while DNS stays elsewhere (Connecting a domain without changing nameservers (using A records))

With Traxio nameservers, the A records for your website are created for you.

Adding an A record in DirectAdmin

1. Open Account Manager › then DNS Management and choose your domain.
2. Select Add Record and choose type A.
3. Name: the subdomain, such as app. For the bare domain, use the domain itself.
4. Value: the IPv4 address, such as 198.51.100.25.
5. TTL: leave the default unless you’re planning a change.
6. Save.

Editing or replacing one

Edit the existing record rather than adding a second one with the same name. Two A records for one name make DNS return both addresses in turn, so visitors randomly reach either server.

Checking it

dig app.yourdomain.co.uk A +short

The address you entered should come back. How to check DNS records (dig, nslookup and online tools)