DNSRecords

DNS records, or DNS resource records, are data entries stored in the authoritative zone files of DNS servers. They define how a domain name is resolved, including mappings to IP addresses, mail servers, or service locations. Each record applies to a domain name within a zone and is used by resolvers to answer queries.

A record structure includes the owner name, the record type, a TTL value, a class (typically IN), and the rdata, the data carried by the record. The type determines the format and meaning of the rdata.

Common record types include A (IPv4 address), AAAA (IPv6 address), CNAME (alias of one name to another), MX (mail exchange), NS (authoritative name servers), TXT (text data for verification or policy), SRV (service location), PTR (reverse lookups), and SOA (start of authority).

Zone data is stored on authoritative servers and distributed to resolvers in the DNS hierarchy. Changes propagate according to TTL, and misconfigurations can cause outages. Dynamic DNS enables automated updates to records.

Security and privacy enhancements include DNSSEC, which signs records to verify authenticity, and privacy-focused transports such as DNS over HTTPS and DNS over TLS.

DNS records underpin web, email, and many Internet services. Proper management of records is essential for reliability and performance.