Domains & DNS

Domain status (e.g. hold) and DNS resolution basics

• How DNS Resolution Works: Turning a Domain Name Into an IP

  Behind a single lookup, your request is relayed through a recursive resolver and the root, TLD, and authoritative servers to turn `example.com` into an IP address you can actually connect to.

• DNS Record Types Explained: A / AAAA / CNAME / MX / TXT / NS / SRV

  A clear walkthrough of the seven most common DNS records: what each one does, an example, and the mistakes that trip people up.

• Point Your Domain to Your Server (A Record)

  Add one A record in your DNS panel to map your domain to your server's public IP, then verify it with dig and ping.

• Email DNS Setup: MX, SPF, DKIM, and DMARC to Stay Out of Spam

  Four DNS record types that give your domain's mail a full chain of identity and trust — lifting deliverability and keeping messages out of the junk folder.

• Wiring a CDN with CNAME and Managing Subdomains

  Point a subdomain at your CDN with a CNAME, plan www/api/img/cdn subdomains, and confirm the change went live.

• DNS record types, fields, and configuration risks

  See the DNS record types currently supported by the console, their value formats, proxy eligibility, priority fields, and common risks

• Wildcard DNS and Managing Subdomains at Scale

  One `*.example.com` record catches every undefined subdomain—just mind the three catches: exact records win, wildcard certs cover one level, and naming discipline keeps it auditable.

• What to do when a domain is on Hold

  Check the domain status at https://lookup.icann.org/en/lookup

• TTL and DNS Propagation: Why Your Record Change Isn't Live Yet

  TTL is how long a DNS record may be cached; after you edit a record, the old value lingers in caches until that TTL expires—so don't expect an "instant" switch.

• Domain Transfers and Switching DNS Providers Without Downtime

  Switching DNS hosting comes down to "build the records first, then change the NS"; transferring a registrar comes down to "unlock and get the auth code." They're independent — the trick is giving TTL enough time to settle.

• HTTPS Certificate Domain Validation: HTTP vs DNS Challenges

  Before a certificate is issued you must prove you own the domain — here's how HTTP and DNS validation differ, how to run each with certbot, and what to watch for at renewal.

• Common DNS Failures and a Troubleshooting Checklist

  When a domain won't load, first tell whether it's a DNS or a server problem, then use dig/nslookup to work down from records to authority to the resolution path.