How to Manage A Records

An A Record is a DNS entry that maps a domain or subdomain to an IP address, allowing browsers to locate your server and display your website. Managing A Records involves adding, editing, or removing them to update where your domain points.

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Steps to Manage A Records #

Step 1: Log in to Your DNS Management Panel #

1. Access the control panel of your domain registrar or DNS hosting provider (e.g., OzSpeed hPanel).
2. Navigate to the Domains or DNS Zone Editor section.

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Step 2: Locate the A Records #

1. Find the DNS Records or Zone Editor tab for the domain you want to manage.
2. Look for existing A Records for your domain or subdomains.

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Step 3: Add a New A Record #

1. Click Add Record or Create Record.
2. Enter the following details:
   • Host/Name:
     • Use @ for the root domain (e.g., example.com).
     • Use the subdomain (e.g., www, blog) if applicable.
   • Type: Select A.
   • Value: Enter the IP address of the server (e.g., 192.0.2.123).
   • TTL (Time to Live): Set a TTL value (default: 300 seconds or 5 minutes).
3. Save the changes.

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Step 4: Edit an Existing A Record #

1. Locate the record you want to modify.
2. Click Edit next to the record.
3. Update the IP address or other fields as needed.
4. Save the changes.

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Step 5: Delete an A Record #

1. Find the A Record you wish to remove.
2. Click Delete or Remove.
3. Confirm the action to delete the record.

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Examples of Common A Records #

Host/Name	Type	Value	TTL
@	A	192.0.2.123	300
www	A	192.0.2.123	300
blog	A	203.0.113.45	300

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Tips for Managing A Records #

1. Backup DNS Settings:
   • Before making changes, save a backup of your current DNS configuration.
2. Propagation Time:
   • DNS changes, including A Records, may take up to 24–48 hours to propagate globally.
3. Use DNS Propagation Tools:
   • Tools like DNS Checker can help verify that the new A Records are propagating correctly.
4. Avoid Conflicts:
   • Ensure there are no duplicate A Records pointing the same host to different IP addresses, as this may cause inconsistencies.
5. Test After Changes:
   • Once the A Record is updated, test the domain or subdomain to confirm it resolves to the correct IP.

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Troubleshooting Common Issues #

1. Website Not Loading:
   • Verify that the A Record points to the correct IP address of your hosting server.
2. Conflicting Records:
   • Check for and remove conflicting DNS records (e.g., CNAME for the same host).
3. Changes Not Reflecting:
   • Clear your local DNS cache:
     • Windows: ipconfig /flushdns
     • macOS: sudo killall -HUP mDNSResponder
   • Wait for propagation if the changes were made recently.

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Additional Notes: #

• Coordinate with Hosting Provider:
  • Ensure you have the correct IP address from your hosting provider before making changes.
• Subdomain Configurations:
  • Use separate A Records for subdomains if they need to point to different IPs.