What is a DNS Entry? #
Understanding DNS #
DNS stands for Domain Name System. Think of it as the internet’s phonebook – it translates human-friendly domain names (like example.com) into computer-friendly IP addresses (like 123.45.67.89) that computers use to find each other on the internet.
What is a DNS Entry? #
A DNS entry (also called a DNS record) is a piece of information stored in a DNS database that tells the internet how to handle requests for your domain. When someone types your domain into their browser, DNS entries guide their computer to the correct destination.
Simple Analogy: If your website is a house, the domain name is the street address, and a DNS entry is like the directions that help people find your house. The IP address is the actual GPS coordinates.
Common Types of DNS Records #
A Record (Address Record) #
The most common type of DNS record. An A record points a domain or subdomain to an IPv4 address.
Example:
- Domain: cherry.example.com
- Points to: 123.45.67.89
- What it does: When someone visits cherry.example.com, their browser connects to the server at 123.45.67.89
This is the type of record you’ll use for your Transmute Engine server.
CNAME Record (Canonical Name) #
Points a domain to another domain name instead of an IP address. Useful for creating aliases.
Example:
- Domain: www.example.com
- Points to: example.com
- What it does: Both www.example.com and example.com go to the same place
MX Record (Mail Exchange) #
Directs email to mail servers. Not needed for your Transmute Engine setup.
TXT Record #
Contains text information for various purposes, like verification or email security. Not typically needed for basic server setup.
How DNS Works in Simple Terms #
- You type a domain (e.g., cherry.example.com) into your browser
- Your computer asks DNS servers: “What’s the IP address for cherry.example.com?”
- DNS servers look up the A record you created
- They respond: “It’s at 123.45.67.89”
- Your browser connects to that IP address and loads the website
This all happens in milliseconds, completely behind the scenes.
Key DNS Terms #
| Term | Meaning |
|---|---|
| Domain | Your website name (e.g., example.com) |
| Subdomain | A prefix to your domain (e.g., cherry.example.com) |
| Host | The subdomain part in DNS settings (just “cherry”) |
| IP Address | The numerical address of your server (e.g., 123.45.67.89) |
| TTL | Time To Live – how long DNS info is cached (usually 3600 seconds = 1 hour) |
| DNS Propagation | Time it takes for DNS changes to spread across the internet |
Why DNS Matters for Your Transmute Engine #
Your Transmute Engine server is hosted at a specific IP address. To access it using a memorable name like cherry.example.com instead of typing 123.45.67.89, you need to create a DNS A record.
This DNS record tells the internet: “When someone asks for cherry.example.com, send them to the server at 123.45.67.89”
In Practice: Once you set up your DNS A record correctly, anyone can access your Transmute Engine by visiting your subdomain URL. This makes it professional, easy to remember, and allows SSL certificates to work properly.
Common Questions #
Do I need to understand all DNS record types? #
No. For setting up your Transmute Engine server, you only need to understand A records. The other types serve different purposes you likely won’t need right away.
Can I change DNS records later? #
Yes, absolutely. You can update your DNS records anytime. Changes typically take effect within 15 minutes to a few hours.
What if I make a mistake? #
DNS records can be edited or deleted. If you enter the wrong IP address, simply update the record with the correct one. After DNS propagates again, everything will work correctly.
Is DNS setup complicated? #
Not at all. Creating an A record is usually just filling out three fields: the record type (A), the host (your subdomain), and the IP address (your server). Most DNS providers make this very straightforward.
Next Steps #
Now that you understand what DNS entries are and how they work, you’re ready to set up DNS for your Transmute Engine server.
Ready to configure your DNS? Check out our step-by-step guide: Setting up the DNS for your Transmute Engine Server