DNS stands for Domain Name System. Domain name system is similar to the name of websites and finds out the IP addresses of the websites. Domain name system is an altogether system that is an interconnected information system. Domain Name System is also known as the decentralized naming system. It means a single entity is not the only authority.

A Guide on Types of DNS record you need to know:

DNS is also known as the Domain Name System and has many purposes. There are several purposes of the Domain name system. The primary purpose of the Domain Name System is to translate the domain name in the exact or into the appropriate IP address.

Many people wonder how does the translation mechanism of a Domain Name System work. But to be honest, it is simple. The translation of the domain name into the exact IP address name is done by searching up the DNS (domain name system) records of the requested domain.

Mostly there are a total of eight steps in the Domain name system (DNS) translation process. The eight steps of the translation process follow the information pathway that originates from the webserver to the DNS (Domain name system) server and then the whole process and the cycle going on.

There are several types of DNS records (domain name system). However, only a few are used at rare or occasional times, whereas only a few among the several domain name system records are used most frequently

The most common and used domain name system records:

You can check the list below

A Address 

A Address is the most commonly used DNS. It is used to map out the full domain, named the FQDN, to an IPv4 address and acts as a translator by converting the domain names to the IP addresses.

AAAA (quad A) 

Quad A, also known as the AAAA that is much similar to the A records. But unlike the A address, the quad A (AAAA) maps or translates to the IPv6 address. IPv6 address is much preferred in smartphones if it is available easily.

ANAME 

ANAME is yet another type of domain name system (DNS), and it serves a different purpose but the same goal. ANAME DNS record type is used to point the root of any domain to a specific hostname or FDQN.

CNAME 

CNAME is also known as the Canonical that maps to the other domain or subdomains. But it does not map to the IP address. CNAME domain name system is ideal for when you want to change an IP address after some time, and it allows you to do so without having any effects.

TXT

TXT records are a type of Domain Name System (DNS) record that contains text information for sources outside of your domain. You add these records to your domain settings. You can use TXT records for various purposes. Google uses them to verify domain ownership and to ensure email security.

MX

A mail exchanger record (MX record) specifies the mail server responsible for accepting email messages on behalf of a domain name. It is a resource record in the Domain Name System (DNS).

These are all the DNS record types that are currently in use:

• A — IPv4 address
• AAAA — IPv6 address
• AFSDB — AFS database location
• APL — Address prefix list
• AXFR — Authoritative zone transfer
• CAA — Certification authority authorization
• CDNSKEY — Child copy of a DNSKEY
• CDS — Child copy of DS
• CERT — Cryptographic certificate
• CNAME — Canonical name
• CSYNC — Child-to-parent synchronization
• DHCID — DHCP identifier
• DLV — DNSSEC lookaside validation
• DNAME — Delegation name
• DNSKEY — Cryptographic key for DNSSEC
• DS — Delegation signer
• EUI48 — MAC address (EUI-48)
• EUI64 — Mac address (EUI-64)
• HINFO — Host information
• HIP — Host identification protocol
• HTTPS — HTTPS binding
• IPSECKEY — Cryptographic key for IPsec
• IXFR — Incremental zone transfer
• KEY — Cryptographic key for DNSSEC (obsoleted by DNSKEY)
• KX — Key exchange
• LOC — Geographical location
• MX — Mail exchange
• NAPTR — naming authority pointer
• NS — Name server
• NSEC3 — Next secure (version 3)
• NSEC3PARAM — Parameter for NSEC3
• NSEC — Next secure (obsoleted by NSEC3)
• NXT — DNSSEC key (obsoleted by NSEC)
• OPENPGPKEY — Public key for OpenPGP
• OPT — EDNS option
• PTR — Canonical name pointer
• RP — Responsible person
• RRSIG — Resource record signature for DNSSEC
• SIG — Resource record signature for DNSSEC (obsoleted by RRSIG)
• SMIMEA — S/MIME association
• SOA — Start of authority
• SSHFP — Public key fingerprint for SSH
• SVCB — Service binding
• SRV — Service locator
• TA — Trust authorities for DNSSEC
• TKEY — Transaction key
• TLSA — Certificate association for TLS
• TSIG — Transaction signature
• TXT — Human-readable text
• URI — Uniform resource identifier
• ZONEMD — Message digest for DNS zones

Conclusion 

The above-specified information explains the types of DNS records. You can learn their basics and use them according to your needs.

Protectumus monitors web, mobile and desktop applications for DNS changes. You can find more details on the Pricing page.