What id DNS?
DNS (Domain Name System) acts as the internet's phone book, translating human-readable domain names (like google.com) into IP addresses that computers use to identify each other. When you type a website address in your browser, DNS servers work behind the scenes to convert that name into the corresponding IP address, allowing your device to locate and connect to the desired website.
How to Check DNS Records
DNS records can be checked in several ways:
- Command Line Tools (dig, nslookup)
- Online DNS lookup tools
- Domain registrar's DNS management panel
- DNS management services like Cloudflare
Using Corenexis DNS Record Checker
Corenexis Tools provides a free, user-friendly DNS record checker that makes it easy to view and analyze DNS records for any domain or subdomain. Here's how to use it:
- Enter your domain name in the input field (e.g., example.com or subdomain.example.com)
- Click "Get Records" to view all DNS records
- View comprehensive DNS information in a clean, organized table
Domain vs Subdomain Checking
When checking DNS records, it's important to understand the difference between domain and subdomain queries:
- For main domain: Enter 'example.com'
- For subdomain: Enter 'www.example.com' or any other subdomain
- Each will show different records specific to that domain/subdomain
Benefits of Corenexis DNS Checker
Our DNS checker tool offers several advantages:
Cloudflare-Inspired Interface
We've designed our interface similar to Cloudflare's DNS management system because:
- Developers are familiar with this layout
- Information is presented clearly and logically
- Records are easy to read and understand
- Priority numbers for MX records are displayed prominently
Easy Export and Sharing
Working with DNS records is made simple with our tool:
- One-click copy feature for quick clipboard access
- Direct paste compatibility with Excel and Google Sheets
- CSV export option for detailed record keeping
- No complicated export/import processes
User-Friendly Features
- Clean, organized table layout
- Records sorted by type for easy reference
- Mobile-responsive design
- No account or registration required
- Fast and reliable results
Types of DNS Records
Nameserver (NS) Records
Nameserver records are fundamental to the DNS infrastructure. They specify which DNS servers are authoritative for a domain, meaning which servers contain the actual DNS records for that domain. When you register a domain, you must set up NS records to tell the internet which nameservers will handle requests for your domain.
A and AAAA Records
A records are the most basic type of DNS record. They link a domain name to an IPv4 address. For example, an A record might connect "example.com" to "192.0.2.1". AAAA records serve the same purpose but for IPv6 addresses, which are longer and formatted differently (like "2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334").
CNAME Records
CNAME (Canonical Name) records create an alias from one domain name to another. Instead of pointing to an IP address, a CNAME points to another domain name. This is useful when you want multiple domain names to point to the same website, or when services require you to validate domain ownership through CNAME records.
Email-Related DNS Records
MX Records
Mail Exchange (MX) records direct email to the correct mail servers. They include a priority value (lower numbers indicate higher priority) to determine the order in which mail servers should be tried. When someone sends an email to your domain, their mail server looks up your MX records to determine where to deliver the message.
SPF Records
Sender Policy Framework (SPF) records help prevent email spoofing by specifying which mail servers are authorized to send email on behalf of your domain. These records list the IP addresses and domains that are allowed to send email from your domain. Mail servers can check SPF records to verify if incoming email is legitimate or potentially spam.
DKIM Records
DomainKeys Identified Mail (DKIM) adds a digital signature to emails, allowing receiving mail servers to verify that the email truly came from your domain and wasn't modified in transit. DKIM records store the public keys used for this verification. When properly configured, DKIM helps prevent email spoofing and increases the likelihood of your emails reaching the inbox rather than spam folders.
DMARC Records
Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance (DMARC) builds upon SPF and DKIM. It tells receiving mail servers what to do with emails that fail SPF or DKIM checks (like reject them or mark them as spam) and provides a way to receive reports about emails sent using your domain name. This helps track potential abuse and maintain email deliverability.
Other Important DNS Records
TXT Records
TXT records store text information in the DNS. While they can hold any text data, they're commonly used for domain verification, SPF records, and other security-related purposes. Many services use TXT records to verify domain ownership before providing services like SSL certificates or email sending capabilities.
PTR Records
Pointer (PTR) records perform reverse DNS lookup, converting IP addresses back to domain names. They're especially important for email servers, as many spam filters check if incoming mail has valid PTR records. Unlike most DNS records that are set at your domain registrar, PTR records are usually managed by your hosting provider or ISP.
TTL (Time To Live)
Every DNS record includes a TTL value that determines how long other servers should cache the record. Lower TTL values mean changes propagate faster but increase DNS server load. Higher TTL values reduce server load and can speed up website access, but mean changes take longer to take effect. Common TTL values range from 5 minutes (300 seconds) to 24 hours (86400 seconds).
Best Practices for DNS Management
To maintain a healthy DNS configuration:
- Regularly audit your DNS records to ensure they're current and correct
- Implement email authentication (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) to protect against email spoofing
- Use appropriate TTL values - lower during planned changes, higher for stability
- Maintain redundant nameservers to ensure domain availability
- Document all DNS changes and keep records of your DNS configuration
- Regularly check for security best practices and update your configuration accordingly