What is DNS?
DNS stands for Domain Name System. It acts like the phone book of the internet. When you type a website address (like www.google.com) into your browser, DNS translates that address into an IP address (like 172.217.11.174) that computers use to identify each other on the network.
Here’s a simple analogy:
- Website Name: www.example.com (like a person's name)
- IP Address: 93.184.216.34 (like a phone number)
Just as you use a person's name to find their phone number in a phone book, DNS helps your computer find the IP address associated with a website name.
How to Update DNS Records
DNS records are like entries in a directory that tell the DNS system how to handle requests for your domain. Here’s how you can update them:
1. Log In to Your Domain Registrar:
- This is the company where you registered your domain name (like GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.).
2. Find the DNS Management Section:
- Look for something like “DNS Settings,” “DNS Management,” or “DNS Zone File.”
3. View Existing DNS Records:
- Here, you'll see a list of DNS records that are currently set up for your domain. Common types include:
- A Record: Points your domain to an IP address.
- CNAME Record: Points your domain to another domain name.
- MX Record: Directs email to a mail server.
- TXT Record: Provides text information to sources outside your domain.
4. Add or Edit Records:
- To add a new record, click “Add Record” or a similar button.
- To edit an existing record, click on the record and make the necessary changes.
5. Enter the Details:
- For an A Record, you might enter:
- Name: www
- Type: A
- Value: 93.184.216.34
- For a CNAME Record, you might enter:
- Name: blog
- Type: CNAME
- Value: www.example.com
6. Save Your Changes:
- Make sure to save or apply the changes. This might take a few minutes to propagate (spread) across the internet.
7. Verify the Update:
- After some time, check if your updates are working by typing your domain into your browser or using a DNS lookup tool.
That’s it! You've successfully updated your DNS records.