Record Set

Overview

A record set is a collection of resource records that belong to the same domain name. A record set defines DNS record types and values.

If you have created a zone on the DNS console, you can create record sets to expand the domain name or record its detailed information.

Table 1 describes the record set types and their application scenarios.

Table 1 Record set usages

Type

Where to Use

Description

A

Public and private zones

Maps domains to IPv4 addresses.

CNAME

Public and private zones

Maps one domain name to another domain name or multiple domain names to one domain name.

MX

Public and private zones

Maps domain names to email servers.

AAAA

Public and private zones

Maps domain names to IPv6 addresses.

TXT

Public and private zones

TXT record sets are usually used to record the following:

  • DKIM public keys to prevent email fraud

  • The identity of domain name owners to facilitate domain name retrieval

SRV

Public and private zones

Records servers providing specific services.

NS

Public and private zones

Delegates subdomains to other name servers.

  • For public zones, an NS record set is automatically created, and you can add NS record sets for subdomains.

  • For private zones, an NS record set is automatically created, and you cannot add other NS record sets.

SOA

Public and private zones

Identifies the base information about a domain name. The SOA record set is automatically generated by the DNS service and cannot be added manually.

CAA

Public zone

Grants certificate issuing permissions to CAs. CAA record sets can prevent the issuance of unauthorized HTTPS certificates.

PTR

Public and private zones

Maps IP addresses to domain names.

Usage

Record sets are used in following scenarios:

  • Routing Internet traffic to a website

    A and AAAA record sets are usually used to map domain names used by websites to IPv4 or IPv6 addresses of web servers where the websites are deployed.

    **Figure 1** Accessing a website over the Internet using domain name

    Figure 1 Accessing a website over the Internet using domain name

  • Private domain name resolution

    On a private network, A and AAAA record sets translate private domain names into private IP addresses.

    **Figure 2** Private domain name resolution

    Figure 2 Private domain name resolution

  • Email domain name resolution

    MX, CNAME, and TXT record sets are usually used for email services.

    **Figure 3** Email domain name resolution

    Figure 3 Email domain name resolution

  • Reverse resolution on a private network

    PTR records translate private IP addresses into private domain names.

    **Figure 4** Reverse resolution on a private network

    Figure 4 Reverse resolution on a private network

last updated: 2025-02-13 18:02 UTC - commit: a575ab7399adc155894b4a619239456dc13e50d9