Glossary / DNS
What is DNS?
Domain Name System
DNS (the Domain Name System) is the internet's address book. It turns a name people can remember, like example.com, into the numeric address of the server that should answer.
When you type a domain, your device asks DNS where it lives. The answer comes from records set by whoever controls the domain, and is cached along the way so later lookups are quick.
The records you meet most are A records (a name points to an IP address), CNAME records (a name points to another name), MX records (where email for the domain goes) and TXT records (notes used for verification and email security).
Connecting a custom domain to an app means adding one or two of these records at your registrar. Changes can take time to spread because of caching.
Examples
- A CNAME for app.yourbusiness.com pointing to your host
- A TXT record proving you own the domain
Questions
Why is my DNS change not working yet?
Old answers are cached for a while, set by each record's TTL. Wait, check the record is typed exactly as given, and make sure there is no conflicting older record.
Will changing DNS break my email?
Only if you change or remove MX records or the records your email provider needs. Adding a record for your app does not affect email.