Adding DNS Records

This guide explains how to add different types of DNS records to your domains through the UK DNS Privacy Project dashboard.

Overview

DNS records are the instructions that tell the DNS system how to route traffic for your domain. Adding records to your domain allows you to configure services like websites, email, and various verification records.

Adding a New Record

Step 1: Access the Records Page

1. Log in to your UK DNS Privacy Project dashboard
2. Navigate to Dashboard > Authoritative Domains
3. Click on the domain name you want to add records to
4. In the Records section, click the Add Record button

Step 2: Enter Record Information

The New Record form contains the following fields:

Name Field

Enter the subdomain or record name:

• For the root domain (example.com), use @ or leave blank
• For a subdomain (blog.example.com), enter only the subdomain portion (blog)
• The full domain is automatically appended (shown in gray)

Type Field

Select the record type from the dropdown menu. Available types include:

• A: Maps a domain to an IPv4 address
• AAAA: Maps a domain to an IPv6 address
• CAA: Specifies which certificate authorities can issue certificates
• CERT: Stores certificates in DNS
• CNAME: Creates an alias pointing to another domain
• DNSKEY: Stores DNSSEC public keys
• DS: Delegation Signer record for DNSSEC
• HTTPS: Service bindings for HTTPS
• LOC: Geographic location information
• MX: Directs email to mail servers
• NAPTR: Name Authority Pointer
• NS: Nameserver records
• PTR: Reverse DNS lookup pointers
• SMIMEA: S/MIME certificate association
• SRV: Specifies location of services
• SSHFP: SSH key fingerprints
• SVCB: Service binding
• TLSA: TLS Authentication
• TXT: Stores text information (often used for verification)
• URI: Uniform Resource Identifier

TTL (Time-to-Live) Field

Specify how long (in seconds) DNS resolvers should cache this record:

• Auto: Uses the domain’s default TTL
• Custom values: Common options include 300 (5 min), 3600 (1 hour), or 86400 (24 hours)

Content Field

Enter the value for the record. The format depends on the record type:

• A records: IPv4 address (e.g., 192.248.144.82)
• AAAA records: IPv6 address (e.g., 2001:db8::1)
• CNAME records: Fully qualified domain name (e.g., example.com)
• MX records: Priority and mail server hostname (e.g., 10 mail.example.com)
• TXT records: Text value, often enclosed in quotes (e.g., "v=spf1 include:_spf.example.com ~all")

Step 3: Save the Record

1. Review all entered information
2. Click Save Changes to create the record
3. The new record will appear in the Records table for your domain

Common Record Types and Examples

A Records (Address Records)

Maps a domain to an IPv4 address:

• Name: @ (for root domain) or subdomain name
• Type: A
• Content: 192.248.144.82
• TTL: Auto

AAAA Records (IPv6 Address Records)

Maps a domain to an IPv6 address:

• Name: @ (for root domain) or subdomain name
• Type: AAAA
• Content: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334
• TTL: Auto

CNAME Records (Canonical Name)

Creates an alias pointing to another domain:

• Name: Subdomain name (e.g., www)
• Type: CNAME
• Content: example.com (or other target domain)
• TTL: Auto

MX Records (Mail Exchange)

Directs email to the correct mail servers:

• Name: @ (typically)
• Type: MX
• Content: 10 mail.example.com (priority + mail server)
• TTL: Auto

TXT Records (Text)

Stores text information, often used for domain verification:

• Name: @ or specific name (e.g., _dmarc)
• Type: TXT
• Content: "v=spf1 include:_spf.example.com ~all"
• TTL: Auto or specific value

Special Record Cases

ACME Challenge Records

For Let’s Encrypt validation:

• Name: _acme-challenge
• Type: TXT
• Content: Validation string provided by Let’s Encrypt
• TTL: One Minute (for faster validation)

SPF Records

For email sender validation:

• Name: @
• Type: TXT
• Content: "v=spf1 include:_spf.example.com ~all"
• TTL: Auto

DKIM Records

For email authentication:

• Name: selector._domainkey (e.g., mail._domainkey)
• Type: TXT
• Content: Your DKIM public key
• TTL: Auto

Filtering and Managing Records

After adding records, you can:

1. Filter records by name or type using the filter controls
2. Sort records by clicking on column headers
3. Edit records by clicking the edit (pencil) icon
4. Delete records by clicking the delete (x) icon

Troubleshooting

Common Issues

1. Record Not Taking Effect:

   • Check that the domain is delegated to UK DNS Privacy Project nameservers
   • Verify the record syntax is correct
   • Allow time for DNS propagation (based on TTL settings)

2. Conflicting Records:

   • CNAME records cannot coexist with other record types at the same name
   • Check for duplicate records that might conflict

3. Validation Errors:

   • Ensure IP addresses are in the correct format
   • Verify that TXT record content is properly formatted