Configure DNS A, AAAA, and CNAME records

Configure DNS records A, AAAA, CNAME

What are DNS records?

DNS records are instructions that tell browsers and servers how to find your website or services. Each record type has a specific function for directing internet traffic.

A Record (Address)

The A record is the most common and is used to point a domain or subdomain directly to an IPv4 address.

When to use it:

• To point your main domain to your server
• To point subdomains to specific IPs
• To configure the root domain (@)

How to configure it:

• Type: A
• Name/Host: @ (for the main domain) or the subdomain name (e.g., www, blog)
• Value/IP: Your server's IPv4 address (e.g., 23.175.40.20)
• TTL: 3600 seconds (or default value)

Image 1: A record configuration example.

AAAA Record (IPv6 Address)

The AAAA record is similar to A, but points to an IPv6 address instead of IPv4.

When to use it:

• If your server has an IPv6 address
• To support IPv6 connections
• Along with the A record for dual compatibility

How to configure it:

• Type: AAAA
• Name/Host: @ or the subdomain name
• Value: Your server's IPv6 address (e.g., 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334)
• TTL: 3600 seconds

Image 2: AAAA record configuration example.

CNAME Record (Canonical Name)

The CNAME record creates an alias that points to another domain name or subdomain, instead of directly to an IP.

When to use it:

• To create subdomain aliases (e.g., www pointing to the main domain)
• To point multiple subdomains to the same destination
• For external services (e.g., CDN, third-party services)

How to configure it:

• Type: CNAME
• Name/Host: The subdomain name (e.g., www, mail)
• Value: The domain or subdomain it points to (e.g., yourdomain.com or server.yourdomain.com)
• TTL: 3600 seconds

Common example:

To make www.yourdomain.com point to yourdomain.com:

• Name: www
• Value: yourdomain.com

Image 3: CNAME record configuration example.

Step-by-step configuration

1. Access the DNS panel

• Log in to the panel where you manage your DNS (Cloudflare, cPanel, registrar, etc.)
• Look for the DNS or DNS Zone section

2. Add A record for main domain

• Click Add Record
• Select type A
• Name: @
• Value: Your server's IP
• Save

3. Add CNAME record for www (optional)

• Click Add Record
• Select type CNAME
• Name: www
• Value: yourdomain.com
• Save

4. Add AAAA record (if your server has IPv6)

• Click Add Record
• Select type AAAA
• Name: @
• Value: Your server's IPv6
• Save

Important rules

• ❌ You cannot have a CNAME record and an A record for the same name
• ✅ The CNAME record must point to a valid domain, not an IP
• ✅ The A record must point directly to an IP
• ✅ You can have multiple A records for load balancing
• ✅ The @ symbol represents the root domain

Common issues

Error creating CNAME

• Verify that an A record doesn't exist for the same name
• Make sure the value is a domain, not an IP
• Verify that the destination domain exists and has A records configured

Subdomain doesn't work

• Verify that the record is saved correctly
• Wait for DNS propagation to complete (can take up to 48 hours)
• Verify there are no syntax errors in the name or value

Conflict between A and CNAME

• Delete the A record if you want to use CNAME
• Or delete the CNAME if you prefer to use A directly
• You cannot have both for the same name

Tips

• ✅ Use A record for the main domain (@)
• ✅ Use CNAME for www and other subdomains pointing to the main domain
• ✅ Configure AAAA if your server supports IPv6
• ✅ Verify configuration with tools like dig or nslookup
• ✅ Keep TTL low (300-600) during changes, then increase it (3600+)

Need help?

If you have questions about which record type to use or how to configure it, open a ticket from the billing.baires.host panel or contact us for support.

You can also reach us through our social media:

• Instagram: @baires_host
• Discord (active support): https://discord.gg/dzjauatAFN
• Linktree: https://linktr.ee/baires.host