The DNS Zone Manager lets you edit DNS records in your domain's zone file, controlling how your domain name connects to IP addresses and services. You can add, modify, or delete records like A, CNAME, and MX records to manage where your domain points, configure email routing, and set up subdomains without technical complexity.
DNS (Domain Name System) acts as the internet's phone book, converting human-readable domain names like example.com into computer-readable IP addresses like 192.0.0.1. This feature gives you direct control over these mappings through your hosting control panel.
Understanding DNS Zone Records
DNS zone records are instructions stored on your server that tell browsers, email servers, and other services where to find your website and how to handle your domain. Each record type serves a specific purpose:
- A Records: Point your domain or subdomain to an IPv4 address (the most common record type)
- CNAME Records: Create aliases that point one domain name to another domain name
- MX Records: Direct email traffic to specific mail servers with priority levels
- TXT Records: Store text information for verification, SPF, DKIM, and other purposes
- AAAA Records: Point your domain to an IPv6 address (newer IP format)
At OBHost, these records update automatically across our nameserver infrastructure, typically taking effect within minutes to a few hours depending on TTL settings.
How to Access DNS Zone Manager
The DNS Zone Manager interface displays all domains on your hosting account. You can filter the domain list by typing in the search box to quickly find the domain you want to manage. Each domain shows several quick-action buttons for common tasks.
Quick Actions for Each Domain
For each listed domain, you'll see these management options:
- A Record: Quickly add a new A record by entering a name and IPv4 address
- CNAME Record: Create an alias by entering a name and the destination domain
- MX Record: Set up email routing by specifying priority and destination server
- DNSSEC: Manage security extensions that protect against DNS spoofing
- Manage: Access the full DNS zone editor for advanced record management
Managing DNS Zone Records
When you click Manage for a domain, you enter the full DNS zone editor where you can view all existing records, add new ones, edit current entries, or delete outdated records. The interface displays records in an organized table format.
Adding a New DNS Record
To add a DNS record:
- Click the "Add Record" button or select a quick-action option from the domain list
- Choose the record type from the dropdown menu
- Enter the required information (name, address, priority, etc.)
- Set the TTL (Time To Live) value, which determines how long other servers cache this record
- Click the save or add button to create the record
The new record becomes active on OBHost nameservers within minutes, though full internet propagation can take up to 24-48 hours.
Editing Existing DNS Records
To modify a DNS record, locate it in the records table and click the edit icon or button next to it. Update the values as needed and save your changes. Remember that changing A records or MX records can affect website availability or email delivery, so verify your changes carefully before saving.
Deleting DNS Records
To remove a DNS record, find it in the table and click the delete or trash icon. Confirm the deletion when prompted. Be cautious when deleting records, especially MX records and A records for your main domain, as this can make your website or email inaccessible.
Common DNS Management Tasks
Setting Up a Subdomain
Create an A record with the subdomain name (like "blog" or "shop") pointing to your server's IP address. This makes blog.yourdomain.com or shop.yourdomain.com accessible as separate sections of your site.
Configuring Email Routing
Add or modify MX records to control where email for your domain is delivered. Lower priority numbers (like 10) are tried first, with higher numbers (like 20) serving as backups. Most hosting configurations use priority values of 0 or 10 for the primary mail server.
Pointing to External Services
Use CNAME records to point subdomains to external services. For example, point "www" to your main domain, or point "shop" to an external e-commerce platform. CNAME records cannot be used for the root domain itself, only subdomains.
Verifying Domain Ownership
Add TXT records with verification codes provided by services like Google, Microsoft, or email authentication systems. These records prove you control the domain without requiring file uploads or DNS changes.
Important DNS Considerations
When managing DNS zones, keep these critical points in mind:
- Propagation Time: DNS changes don't take effect instantly everywhere. Full propagation across the internet can take 24-48 hours, though most changes are visible within a few hours
- TTL Values: Lower TTL values (like 300 seconds) mean faster updates but more DNS queries. Higher values (like 86400 seconds) mean better performance but slower updates
- Backup Before Changes: Note down current settings before making major DNS changes, especially if you're new to DNS management
- Test After Changes: Use DNS lookup tools to verify your changes are propagating correctly
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for DNS changes to take effect?
DNS changes on OBHost servers typically update within 15-30 minutes on our nameservers. However, full propagation across the internet depends on TTL settings and can take 24-48 hours for all users worldwide to see the changes. You can reduce this time by setting lower TTL values before making changes.
What happens if I delete the wrong DNS record?
Deleting critical DNS records like your main A record or MX records can make your website or email temporarily unavailable. If this happens, you can re-add the record with the correct information. Your website and email will become accessible again once the DNS changes propagate (usually within a few hours).
Can I manage DNS for domains registered elsewhere?
Yes, you can manage DNS zones for any domain that uses OBHost nameservers, regardless of where the domain is registered. You'll need to update the nameserver settings at your domain registrar to point to OBHost nameservers before you can manage the DNS zone through this interface.
What's the difference between A records and CNAME records?
A records point directly to IP addresses, while CNAME records point to other domain names. Use A records for your main domain and when you need to point to an IP address. Use CNAME records for subdomains that should follow another domain's IP address, which makes updates easier since you only need to change the target domain's A record.
Need help with DNS zone management? Our support team is available 24/7 to assist with DNS configuration, troubleshooting propagation issues, or setting up complex DNS records. Contact us at https://www.obhost.net/contact or email support@obhost.org for expert assistance.
