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DNS Management Guide

With this guide DNS management You can get comprehensive information about. Configuring DNS records correctly is critical to making your website accessible on the internet.

DNS (Domain Name System); It is a basic internet system that translates domain names into IP addresses, ensuring the proper functioning of websites, emails and other internet services.

A
Registration

Redirects the domain name to an IP address

CNAME
Registration

Redirects subdomain to another domain

MX
Registration

Redirects email traffic

TXT
Registration

Domain verification and email security

Contents

What is DNS and How Does It Work?

DNS: The Internet's Phonebook

DNS (Domain Name System) is an internet system that converts domain names (for example, example.com) into IP addresses (for example, 192.0.2.1). It makes it possible to browse the internet by translating domain names that are easy for humans to remember into IP addresses that computers understand.

A Simple Analogy: DNS is like a phone book. Just as if you know a person's name, you can find their number in the phone book, when your internet browser knows the name of a website, it can find the IP address of that site thanks to DNS.

How Does DNS Work?

The DNS query process takes place with these steps:

1
User Enters a Domain Name in the Browser

For example, the user types "www.example.com" into his browser.

2
Check Local DNS Cache

The browser and operating system cache the IP addresses of previously visited sites. If this information is in the cache, the query ends there.

3
A Query is Sent to the ISP's DNS Server

If there is no information in the cache, the query is sent to your internet service provider (ISP) DNS server.

4
Recursive Queries Begin

The ISP DNS server initiates recursive queries:

  • Root DNS servers are asked first
  • Root servers redirect to .com TLD (Top-Level Domain) servers
  • .com servers declare example.com's authoritative DNS servers
  • Proxy servers provide the IP address of www.example.com
5
IP Address is Returned to the User

The found IP address is transmitted to the ISP's DNS server and from there to the user's computer and cached.

6
Connecting to the Website

The browser now connects to the web server using the IP address and displays the page.

What You Need to Know About DNS

  • This entire process is usually completed within milliseconds
  • DNS information is usually cached for a certain period of time (TTL - Time To Live)
  • DNS changes need time to propagate globally (propagation)
  • DNS servers operate in a hierarchical structure
  • Modern DNS systems operate redundantly for high availability and security
DNS Working Principle
DNS Query Process

browser

DNS Server

Web Server

DNS Components

  • Resolver: DNS server that receives user queries and returns responses
  • Root Servers: 13 server cluster at the top of the DNS hierarchy
  • TLD Servers: Servers that manage top-level domains such as .com, .org, .net
  • Authorized Servers: Servers that maintain DNS records for a specific domain name
  • DNS Records: Pieces of data containing information about the domain name, such as IP address and mail server
Quick Information: There are 13 DNS root servers around the world (named A through M). However, in reality, this 13 name represents server clusters consisting of hundreds of physical servers spread around the world.

DNS Records and Types

DNS Records: The Building Blocks of Your Domain Name

DNS records are instructions that determine how a domain name behaves. Each type of DNS record represents a different type of information and serves different purposes. These records determine how your domain interacts with the web, email, and other internet services.

Important: Properly configuring DNS records is critical for the proper functioning of your website and email services. Misconfigured DNS records can cause accessibility issues.

Function: Redirects a domain (or subdomain) to its IPv4 address.

Areas of Use: It is used to specify the IP addresses of web servers, FTP servers, and other internet services.

Example:

example.com → 192.0.2.1

Importance: It is the most basic type of DNS record and is required for most websites.

Detailed Information

Function: It redirects one domain (usually a subdomain) to another domain.

Areas of Use: It is used to redirect subdomains to the main domain or for integration with third-party services.

Example:

www.example.com → example.com

Importance: When the IP address changes, you just need to update the destination record.

Detailed Information

Function: Specifies to which mail servers the e-mail traffic will be directed.

Areas of Use: Used to configure email services (Gmail, Microsoft 365, your own mail server, etc.)

Example:

example.com → 10 mail.example.com

Importance: It is critical for the proper functioning of your email service.

Detailed Information

Function: Adds text information to your domain name.

Areas of Use: Email verification records such as SPF, DKIM, DMARC, verifying domain ownership.

Example:

example.com → "v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all"

Importance: It is required for email security and integration with various services.

Detailed Information

Function: Specifies the DNS servers for your domain.

Areas of Use: It determines which servers control the DNS management of your domain name.

Example:

example.com → ns1.example-dns.com example.com → ns2.example-dns.com

Importance: To change your DNS service provider, you need to update NS records.

Detailed Information

Tips on DNS Records

  • Consider the propagation time (24-48 hours when changing DNS records
  • You can ensure that changes propagate faster by keeping TTL (Time To Live) values low.
  • Back up existing recordings before making significant changes
  • Always use fully qualified domain name (FQDN) to avoid ambiguities
  • Consider a combination of email related DNS records (MX, SPF, DKIM, DMARC)

Common DNS Record Types

A Record

Domain name → IPv4

AAAA Registration

Domain → IPv6

CNAME

Domain name → Domain name

MX

Domain name → Mail server

TXT

Field name → Text

NS

Domain name → Nameserver

PTR

IP → Domain name

SRV

service location

Attention: Be careful when changing DNS records. An incorrect change may affect access to your website or email services. Always back up the current configuration before making any significant changes.

TTL (Time To Live) Values

TTL is the value that specifies how long a DNS record will be kept in the cache. It is usually expressed in seconds:

  • 300 seconds (5 minutes): For records that change frequently
  • 3600 seconds (1 hour): For records for which changes are planned
  • 86400 seconds (1 days): For standard/stable recordings
  • 604800 seconds (1 week): For records that rarely change

Note: Lower TTL values allow faster updates but place more load on DNS servers.

A Record (IPv4)

A Record: Link Your Domain Name to IP Address

An A record (Address Record) points a domain or subdomain to an IPv4 address. It is used to indicate where your website or any internet service is hosted.

What is it for? When the user types "example.com" into their browser, the A record tells the browser, "This domain name should be directed to the server at IP address 192.0.2.1 ."

How to Create an A Record?

1
Login to DNS Management Panel

Log in to the control panel of your domain provider or DNS service provider (Cloudflare, Route 53, DigitalOcean, etc.).

2
Go to DNS Settings or DNS Management

This section is often named something like "DNS Management," "DNS Settings," or "Domain Settings."

3
Click on Add New Record or Create A Record Option

There's usually a button like "Add Record," "Create DNS Record," or "+."

4
Select Record Type

Select record "A" from the drop-down menu.

5
Fill in the Name/Host/Subdomain Field

This field specifies the part of the full domain or subdomain you want to create:

  • For main domain: @ or leave blank (varies by provider)
  • For "www" subdomain: www
  • For custom subdomain: blog, app, mail, etc.
6
Fill in the IP Address Field

Enter the IPv4 address of your web server or service (for example 192.0.2.1).

7
Set TTL Value

The Time To Live (TTL) value specifies how long this DNS record will be stored in DNS caches. For a standard installation, a value of 3600 (1 hours) or 86400 (1 days) is usually appropriate.

8
Save Recording

Create record A by clicking the "Save", "Add" or "Create" button.

A Record Usage Tips

  • It's good practice to create an A record for both your main domain (example.com) and your www subdomain (www.example.com)
  • If your server IP address changes, you need to update all your A records
  • You can add multiple A records (with different IP addresses) to the same domain for load balancing
  • DNS changes may take 24-48 hours (depending on TTL value) to fully propagate
A Record Structure
A Record Example
Name/Host Genre Value/Target TTL
@ A 192.0.2.1 3600
www A 192.0.2.1 3600
blog A 192.0.2.2 3600
email A 192.0.2.3 3600

A Record vs AAAA Record

A Record AAAA Registration
Used for IPv4 addresses Used for IPv6 addresses
32-bit address (e.g. 192.0.2.1) 128-bit address (e.g. 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334)
More commonly used Its use is increasing
Compatible with all systems Compatible with modern systems
Attention: For security, make sure your server's security settings are properly configured before adding an A record. Otherwise, your server may be exposed to security risks when exposed to the internet.
Quick Tip: If you plan to change your server IP address, you can speed up the migration process by setting the TTL value of your A records to a low value (for example, 300 seconds) 24-48 hours before the change.

CNAME Record

CNAME Record: Forwarding Subdomains

A CNAME (Canonical Name) record is a DNS record that points one domain name to another domain name. It is generally used to point subdomains to the main domain or an external service.

What is it for? A CNAME record points one domain (for example, www.example.com) to another domain (for example, example.com). When the IP address of the primary domain changes, all CNAME-directed subdomains automatically use the new IP address.

How to Create a CNAME Record?

1
Login to DNS Management Panel

Log in to the control panel of your domain provider or DNS service provider (Cloudflare, Route 53, DigitalOcean, etc.).

2
Go to DNS Management Section

This section is often called "DNS Management", "DNS Settings" or "Domain Settings".

3
Click on the Add New Record Button

There's usually a button like "Add Record," "Create DNS Record," or "+."

4
Select Record Type

Select "CNAME" from the drop-down menu.

5
Fill in the Name/Host Field

Enter the name of the subdomain you want to redirect to. For example:

  • "www" - for www.example.com
  • "blog" - for blog.example.com
  • "mail" - for mail.example.com

Some DNS providers may require the full domain name (like www.example.com), while others may only ask for the subdomain (like www).

6
Fill in the Target/Value Field

Enter the target domain you want to forward to. For example:

  • "example.com" - to redirect to main domain
  • "server.example.com" - to redirect to another subdomain
  • "custom-domain.service.com" - to redirect to a third-party service

The target should usually be a fully qualified domain name (FQDN).

7
Set TTL Value

The Time To Live (TTL) value specifies how long this DNS record will be stored in caches. Usually a value of 3600 (1 hours) or 86400 (1 days is sufficient.

8
Save Recording

Create the CNAME record by clicking the "Save", "Add" or "Create" button.

CNAME Record Usage Tips

  • You cannot use a CNAME record in the root domain of your domain (apex domain - example.com). You must use an A record for root domains
  • The CNAME record is ideal for services whose IP address changes frequently because you only need to update the target record
  • CDN services, email marketing platforms and hosting providers often require you to use CNAME records for integration into their services
  • The destination pointed to by the CNAME record should eventually resolve to an IP address
  • Can't have an A record and CNAME record with the same name - DNS standards don't support this
CNAME Record Structure
CNAME Record Example
Name/Host Genre Value/Target TTL
www CNAME example.com 3600
blog CNAME example.com 3600
email CNAME mail.provider.com 3600
shop CNAME mystore.shopify.com 3600

CNAME vs A Record Comparison

CNAME Record A Record
Redirects domain name to domain name Redirects domain name to IP address
Automatically updates when target IP changes Manual update required when target IP changes
Cannot be used on root domain (example.com) Can be used on root domain
Creates more overhead for DNS lookups Requires fewer DNS lookups
Attention: MX and TXT records will not work on a subdomain that uses a CNAME record. Therefore, it is recommended that you use an A record instead of a CNAME on subdomains used for email.
Common Use: CNAME records are frequently used, especially for CDN (Content Delivery Network) services, web hosting, and integration with third-party services. For example, services like Cloudflare, AWS CloudFront, or Shopify often require you to use CNAME records.

MX Registration

MX Record: Routing Email Traffic

MX (Mail Exchange) record is the DNS record that determines which mail servers the e-mail traffic coming to a domain name will be directed to. This type of registration is critical for the proper functioning of your email service.

What is it for? When someone sends an email to "[email protected]", the MX record determines where that email is forwarded. If you use an email service such as Gmail, Microsoft 365 , or your own mail server, you need to configure the relevant MX records.

How to Create an MX Record?

1
Login to DNS Management Panel

Log in to the control panel of your domain provider or DNS service provider (Cloudflare, Route 53, DigitalOcean, etc.).

2
Go to DNS Management Section

This section is often called "DNS Management", "DNS Settings" or "Domain Settings".

3
Click on the Add New Record Button

There's usually a button like "Add Record," "Create DNS Record," or "+."

4
Select Record Type

Select "MX" from the drop-down menu.

5
Fill in the Name/Host Field

Generally, if you will be receiving email for your primary domain, you can leave this field with "@" or blank (may vary by provider). If you are configuring email for a specific subdomain (e.g. mail.example.com), you can enter that subdomain.

6
Determine Mail Server and Priority Value

Mail Server: Enter the mail server address given to you by your email service provider (e.g. "aspmx.l.google.com" - for Gmail).

Priority: When there is more than one MX record, the server with the lower priority value is used first. These numbers are usually between 0-100 :

  • Low value for primary mail server (e.g. 10)
  • Higher values for backup mail servers (e.g. 20, 30)
7
Set TTL Value

Generally, the value 3600 (1 hours or 86400 (1 days is preferred.

8
Save Recording

Create the MX record by clicking the "Save", "Add" or "Create" button.

Repeat these steps for each MX record requested by your email service provider.

MX Record Usage Tips

  • Creating multiple MX records allows backup servers to take over if one of the email servers goes down
  • Use "DNS only" instead of "Proxied" for MX records
  • MX records should usually be configured along with TXT records such as SPF, DKIM and DMARC
  • When changing your email provider, make sure the new records are working properly before deleting the old MX records
  • Make sure that the mail server addresses to which you forward MX records are resolvable to IP addresses (A records)
MX Record Structure
MX Record Examples
Google Workspace (Gmail) MX Records
name Genre priority Hedef
@ MX 1 ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
@ MX 5 ALT1.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
@ MX 5 ALT2.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
@ MX 10 ALT3.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
@ MX 10 ALT4.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM
Microsoft 365 MX Record
name Genre priority Hedef
@ MX 0 domain-com.mail.protection.outlook.com

MX Records of Popular Email Providers

Google Workspace (Gmail)
  • ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM (Priority: 1)
  • ALT1.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM (Priority: 5)
  • ALT2.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM (Priority: 5)
  • ALT3.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM (Priority: 10)
  • ALT4.ASPMX.L.GOOGLE.COM (Priority: 10)
Microsoft 365
  • domain-com.mail.protection.outlook.com (Priority: 0)
  • Note: Replace "domain-com" with your actual domain name and use a hyphen (-).

Zoho Mail
  • mx.zoho.com (Priority: 10)
  • mx2.zoho.com (Priority: 20)
  • mx3.zoho.com (Priority: 50)
Attention: When you do not configure your MX records correctly, you may not be able to receive or send emails. Before making changes, back up existing settings and check your configuration by sending test emails.
Email Security: Once your MX records are configured, don't forget to add email security records such as SPF, DKIM, and DMARC. These TXT records protect against email spoofing and spam.

TXT Registration

TXT Record: Text Information for the Domain

A TXT (Text) record is a versatile DNS record that contains text information associated with a domain name. These records are used to verify ownership of your domain name, increase email security, and provide information for various services.

Common Uses: TXT records are often used to configure email security protocols such as Google Search Console verification, Microsoft 365 ownership verification, SPF (Sender Policy Framework), DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail) and DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication).

How to Create a TXT Record?

1
Login to DNS Management Panel

Log in to the control panel of your domain provider or DNS service provider (Cloudflare, Route 53, DigitalOcean, etc.).

2
Go to DNS Management Section

This section is often called "DNS Management", "DNS Settings" or "Domain Settings".

3
Click on the Add New Record Button

There's usually a button like "Add Record," "Create DNS Record," or "+."

4
Select Record Type

Select "TXT" from the drop-down menu.

5
Fill in the Name/Host Field

Specifies where to add the TXT record:

  • For the main domain: Usually left with "@" or blank
  • For subdomain: For example, a special prefix like "mail" or "_dmarc" can be used

Note: The SPF record is usually added to the main domain (@), the DKIM record is added to a special selector (e.g. selector1._domainkey), and the DMARC record is added to the _dmarc subdomain.

6
Enter Text Value

Enter the contents of the TXT record. This content varies depending on the intended use:

  • For domain verification: A verification code like "google-site-verification=XXXXXX"
  • For SPF record: An SPF policy like "v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all"
  • For DKIM registration: A public key like "v=DKIM1; k=rsa; p=XXX..."
  • For DMARC record: A policy like "v=DMARC1; p=reject; rua=mailto:[email protected]"

These values are usually provided by the relevant service or platform.

7
Set TTL Value

Generally, the value 3600 (1 hours or 86400 (1 days is preferred.

8
Save Recording

Create the TXT record by clicking the "Save", "Add" or "Create" button.

TXT Recording Usage Tips

  • TXT records can be up to 255 characters long; For longer texts you may need to split them into multiple sections
  • The text value must be enclosed in quotes and special characters (e.g. semicolons) must be used appropriately
  • Multiple TXT records with the same name can be added; Therefore, each new record does not delete the previous one.
  • When creating an SPF record, include all servers that can send email for your domain
  • Changes to TXT records may require some time (typically 24-48 hours to propagate through the DNS cache
Common TXT Record Examples
TXT Recording Examples
SPF Record (Email Sender Policy)
name Genre Value
@ TXT v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com include:_spf.example.com ip4:192.0.2.0/24 ~all
Description: This SPF record specifies which sources emails are allowed to be sent from:
  • Google Workspace servers (include:_spf.google.com)
  • Another example email provider (include:_spf.example.com)
  • 192.0.2.0 - 192.0.2.255 IP range (ip4:192.0.2.0/24)
  • ~all: Softly reject emails that do not come from these sources
DMARC Record (Email Verification Policy)
name Genre Value
_dmarc TXT v=DMARC1; p=quarantine; pct=100; rua=mailto:[email protected]
Description: This DMARC record states:
  • v=DMARC1: Indicates that DMARC protocol is used
  • p=quarantine: Mark emails that fail SPF or DKIM checks as spam
  • pct=100: This policy applies to all emails
  • rua=mailto:...: Email address to which DMARC reports will be sent
Attention: When configuring TXT records (SPF, DKIM, DMARC) for email security, an incorrect configuration can prevent legitimate emails from reaching recipients. Before making changes, back up existing settings and check your configuration by sending test emails.

Email Security Logs

SPF (Sender Policy Framework)

Indicates which IP addresses or mail servers are authorized to send e-mail for your domain. A TXT record is created to indicate this.

DKIM (DomainKeys Identified Mail)

By digitally signing emails, you give recipients the ability to verify that the email actually came from you and wasn't tampered with in transit. It uses a TXT record with a custom selector.

DMARC (Domain-based Message Authentication)

Working with SPF and DKIM, it sets policies for what to do when email verification fails. It is added as a TXT record in the "_dmarc" subdomain.


Other Common TXT Uses
  • Domain Verification: Google Search Console, Bing Webmaster Tools, Facebook Domain Verification
  • SSL Certificate Verification: Used by certificate authorities such as Let's Encrypt
  • Atlassian Domain Claim: Verifies domain ownership for Atlassian products
  • GitHub Pages Verification: Validates custom domains for GitHub Pages
Useful Tools
Tools to Test TXT Records
  • MXToolbox: Verifying SPF, DKIM, DMARC and public DNS records
  • Google Admin Toolbox: Testing and analyzing SPF records
  • DMARC Analyzer: Verify and test your DMARC records
  • Mail-tester: Testing all your security records by sending an email

NS Registration

NS Record: Changing Nameserver

The NS (Name Server) record specifies the DNS servers of a domain name. This record determines which servers control the DNS management of your domain.

What is it for? The NS record is used to change the DNS management of your domain. In this way, you can change your DNS service provider or manage your DNS servers.

How to Create NS Record?

1
Login to DNS Management Panel

Log in to the control panel of your domain provider or DNS service provider (Cloudflare, Route 53, DigitalOcean, etc.).

2
Go to DNS Management Section

This section is often called "DNS Management", "DNS Settings" or "Domain Settings".

3
Click on the Add New Record Button

There's usually a button like "Add Record," "Create DNS Record," or "+."

4
Select Record Type

Select "NS" from the drop-down menu.

5
Fill in the Name/Host Field

Enter the names of the NS servers you want to redirect. For example:

  • ns1.example-dns.com
  • ns2.example-dns.com

Some DNS providers may request the full domain name (such as example.com), while others may only request the subdomain (such as example-dns.com).

6
Set TTL Value

The Time To Live (TTL) value specifies how long this DNS record will be stored in caches. Usually a value of 3600 (1 hours) or 86400 (1 days is sufficient.

7
Save Recording

Create the NS record by clicking the "Save", "Add" or "Create" button.

NS Record Usage Tips

  • The NS record is used to change the DNS management of your domain. This way, you can change your DNS service provider or manage your DNS servers
  • While the NS record changes the DNS management of your domain, you may need to change the IP addresses of your existing DNS servers
  • Make sure the DNS settings of your new NS servers are configured correctly
  • When changing your DNS service provider, make sure the new records are working properly before deleting existing NS records
  • When changing your DNS service provider, you may need to change the TTL values of existing NS records
NS Record Structure
NS Record Example
Name/Host Genre Value/Target TTL
ns1 NS ns1.example-dns.com 3600
ns2 NS ns2.example-dns.com 3600

NS Record vs A Record

NS Registration A Record
Changes DNS management Changes DNS management
Changes your DNS service provider Changes your DNS service provider
Manages your DNS servers Manages your DNS servers
When changing your DNS servers, make sure the new records are working properly before deleting existing NS records When changing your DNS servers, make sure the new records are working properly before deleting the existing A records
Attention: While the NS record changes the DNS management of your domain, you may need to change the IP addresses of your existing DNS servers. Therefore, when changing your DNS service provider, make sure that the new records are working properly before deleting the existing NS records.
Quick Tip: When changing your DNS service provider, you may need to change the TTL values of existing NS records. This allows your DNS servers to spread to new IP addresses faster.

Changing Nameserver

Changing Nameserver (NS): Moving Your Domain to a Different DNS Provider

Nameserver switching is the process of moving the DNS management of your domain from one provider to another. This process is necessary when you move your domain to a new hosting company or want to switch to a provider that offers more advanced DNS management services.

What is Nameserver? Nameservers (NS) are servers that keep the DNS records of your domain name and answer DNS queries about your domain name on the internet. When you change the nameservers of your domain, you transfer DNS management to another service provider.

How to Change Nameserver?

1
Prepare

Before changing the nameserver, complete these steps:

  • Make a backup of your current DNS configuration (all A, CNAME, MX, TXT records)
  • Open an account with your new DNS provider (if not already available)
  • Move important records (especially for website and email) to new provider
2
Lower TTL Value (Optional)

To speed up the migration process, you can set the TTL values of all your DNS records to a low value (for example 300 seconds, i.e. 5 minutes, 24-48 hours before the change. In this way, the nameserver change propagates faster.

3
Login to Your Domain Registrar's Control Panel

Log in to the control panel of the registrar (GoDaddy, Namecheap, Isimtescil, etc.) where you purchased your domain name.

4
Go to Domain Management Page

Go to the page where your domain names are listed and select the relevant domain name. It is usually found in sections such as "Domain Names", "Domains" or "Domain Management".

5
Find Nameserver Settings

On the domain detail page, look for a section such as "Nameserver", "DNS", "Name Servers" or similar. This section may usually be under the following headings:

  • "Change Nameservers"
  • "DNS Management"
  • "Custom Nameservers"
  • "Name Server Settings"
6
Enter New Nameservers

Enter the nameserver addresses your new DNS provider gave you. Usually there are 2-4 nameserver addresses. For Cloudflare for example:

  • ns1.cloudflare.com
  • ns2.cloudflare.com

Or for Plesk:

  • ns1.example-server.com
  • ns2.example-server.com
7
Save Changes

Confirm the nameserver change by clicking the "Save", "Update" or "Apply Changes" button.

8
Wait for the Change to Propagate

It usually takes 24-48 hours for the nameserver change to be propagated throughout the Internet. During this time, some users may see the new DNS settings while others may continue to see the old settings.

Nameserver Changing Tips

  • Change the nameserver during low traffic hours or on weekends
  • Backup all DNS records before the change and have them available on the new provider
  • Your website and e-mails may experience temporary interruptions until the promotion process is completed.
  • Lower TTL values in advance to speed up the propagation process
  • Use various DNS query tools (like whatsmydns.net) to test DNS changes
  • Keep your old nameserver information for quick retrieval in case of problems
Nameserver Changing Process
Common Nameserver Examples
Provider Nameserver'lar
Cloudflare ns1.cloudflare.com
ns2.cloudflare.com
GoDaddy ns17.domaincontrol.com
ns18.domaincontrol.com
Namecheap dns1.registrar-servers.com
dns2.registrar-servers.com
Google Domains ns-cloud-a1.googledomains.com
ns-cloud-a2.googledomains.com
ns-cloud-a3.googledomains.com
ns-cloud-a4.googledomains.com

Nameserver vs DNS Management

Changing Nameserver Managing DNS Records
Transfers all DNS control to another provider Edits records in current DNS provider
Configured in Registrar Configured in DNS management panel
Propagation time is longer (24-48 hours) Propagation of records is faster (based on TTL)
Can affect all DNS records Only affects changed records
Attention: Nameserver changes may temporarily affect your domain's email and web services. If possible, plan the change during low traffic hours and ensure your critical services will not be interrupted. Incorrect nameserver changes can cause your website and emails to become inaccessible.
Useful Tools: You can use these tools to check the status of DNS propagation:
  • whatsmydns.net
  • dnschecker.org
  • mxtoolbox.com/DNSLookup.aspx
  • dns.google

DNS Propagasyonu

DNS Propagation: The Process of Propagating Changes

DNS propagation is the process of spreading and updating changes made to DNS records throughout the internet. This process refers to the time it takes for the changes to reach all DNS servers on the internet and for the caches to be updated.

Why Do We Have to Wait? The Internet uses millions of DNS servers spread around the world, and each DNS server stores DNS records in its cache for a certain period of time (TTL) to use resources efficiently. When a DNS record is changed, it is necessary to wait the TTL time for all servers' caches to be updated.

How Does DNS Propagation Work?

1
DNS Change is Made

You make a change to your DNS management panel (for example, changing the IP address of an A record or adding a new MX record).

2
Authoritative DNS Servers are Updated

The change is first updated on your domain's authoritative DNS servers (your nameservers). This usually happens within a few minutes.

3
Recursive DNS Servers Are Updated

Recursive DNS servers, such as Internet Service Providers (ISPs) and other third-party DNS providers (Google, Cloudflare, etc.), retrieve new information from authoritative servers as they receive queries for your domain and as their caches expire.

4
End Users' DNS Caches Are Updated

Users' devices (computers, phones) and web browsers also store DNS records in their caches. These caches are also updated as they expire.

5
Propagation is Completed

Propagation is complete when all DNS servers and clients are updated. This process usually varies depending on the TTL value, but can take on average 24-48 hours.

Factors Affecting Propagation Time

TTL (Time To Live) Values

TTL determines how long a DNS record is kept in the cache. Lower TTL values ​​(e.g. 300 seconds) result in faster propagation, higher values ​​(e.g. 86400 seconds) result in slower propagation.

DNS Provider

Some DNS providers may propagate changes more quickly. Large providers such as Cloudflare, Amazon Route 53 usually offer faster propagation.

DNS Server Hierarchy

The hierarchical structure of DNS servers on the Internet and the update policies of each server affect the propagation time.

Geographic Location

DNS servers in different regions may update at different speeds. Therefore, users in some regions may see changes sooner, while others may see them later.

Tips for DNS Propagation

  • Lower TTL values (e.g. 300 seconds and wait 24-48 hours before making significant changes
  • Consider propagation time when planning changes and avoid immediate changes
  • Track propagation progress using DNS query tools
  • Make sure the old and new configuration can run simultaneously until the changes are fully propagated
  • Note that during the propagation process, some users will see the old configuration and some will see the new configuration.
DNS Propagation Process
Authoritative DNS Server

DNS change starts here

ISP DNS
Server

Third Party DNS
(Google, Cloudflare)

Corporate
DNS Server

End User
devices

mobile
Devices

company
networks

Propagation Completed

When all DNS servers and clients are updated

TTL Values and Effect

TTL Value Propagation Effect Usage Scenario
300s (5dk) Very Fast Urgent changes, crisis management
1800s (30dk) fast Planned changes, transition processes
3600s (1saat) Orta Standard changes
86400s (1day) slow Stable records, records with little change
Not: Lower TTL values provide faster propagation, but increase the number of DNS queries, placing more load on DNS servers. Under normal circumstances, a balanced TTL value (3600s) should be preferred.
Attention: During DNS propagation, some users may see old DNS records and others may see new records. This may cause temporary problems accessing your website or email services. Make sure critical systems can run in both configurations during the migration.
DNS Propagation Control Tools
  • WhatsMyDNS.net: You can check the DNS records of your domain name from DNS servers around the world
  • DNSChecker.org: Allows you to test DNS propagation in different locations
  • MXToolbox.com: Can be used to check MX, A, CNAME and other DNS records
  • DNS Propagation Checker: Visualizes global DNS propagation
  • nslookup or dig: Allows you to manually test DNS queries via terminal

DNS Performance Optimization

Techniques to Improve DNS Performance

DNS performance optimization ensures your domain loads faster, provides a better user experience, and is more resilient to DNS outages. A well-structured DNS system allows your website to reach your users faster and more reliably.

Good to Know: DNS queries are the first step users take to access your website. Without optimization, DNS resolution times may increase, which directly affects the loading speed of your site. According to Google's research, on websites with a page load time of more than 3 seconds, 53% of visitors leave the site.

Strategies to Improve DNS Performance

1. Use a Fast and Reliable DNS Provider

Not all DNS providers offer the same performance. Here are the features of a fast DNS provider:

  • Global server network (servers spread around the world)
  • Anycast DNS technology (routes queries to the nearest server)
  • High availability guarantee (SLA - 99.9%+)
  • DDoS protection and security measures

Suggestion: Choose performance-oriented DNS providers such as Cloudflare, Amazon Route 53, Google Cloud DNS.

2. Optimize TTL (Time to Live) Values

TTL determines how long DNS records are kept in the cache:

  • High TTL (1+ days): For records that rarely change, reduces DNS queries and improves performance
  • Orta TTL (1 saat): Balanced option for most standard recordings
  • Low TTL (5 minutes): For frequently changing or failover scenarios

Balanced Approach: Use a higher TTL for stable records and a lower TTL for records that are subject to change.

3. Create DNS Redundancy

Relying on a single DNS provider can cause your website to become inaccessible if that provider goes down.

  • Use at least two different DNS providers (primary and secondary)
  • Nameservers must be on different networks and locations
  • Keep records synchronized across both providers

Pro Type: Some enterprise providers offer automatic DNS synchronization.

4. Use CDN (Content Delivery Network)

CDN usage is directly related to DNS performance:

  • CDN providers often also offer their own optimized DNS infrastructure
  • Thanks to geo-routing, users connect to the nearest server
  • Provides protection against DDoS attacks

Suggestion: Consider CDN services like Cloudflare, Akamai, or AWS CloudFront.

5. Use DNS Caching (Prefetching)

DNS caching in HTML tells the browser to pre-resolve domain names to be used on the page:

<link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//cdn.example.com">

You can reduce loading times by using DNS caching for external resources on your page:

  • Especially effective for font, script, image CDNs
  • Useful for third-party services such as Google Analytics, social media buttons, ad networks
6. Use GeoDNS and Traffic Routing

GeoDNS directs users to different servers based on their geographic location:

  • Opportunity for users to use the nearest data center
  • Significant improvement in page load times
  • Ideal for regional content distribution
  • Load balancing with traffic routing policies

Not: Amazon Route 53, Cloudflare, and Google Cloud DNS offer advanced traffic routing features.

Monitoring DNS Performance

Continuous monitoring is important to see the impact of DNS optimization:

  • Performance Measurements: Check DNS resolution times regularly (with tools like pingdom, GTmetrix)
  • Uptime Monitoring: Monitor the availability of your DNS servers
  • DNS Query Analytics: Detect patterns and potential problems with your DNS traffic
  • User Experience Metrics: Analyze page load times and user behavior

DNS Optimization Tips

  • Test new DNS configurations by clearing the DNS cache and cache
  • Simplify DNS zone by clearing unnecessary subdomains and DNS records
  • Optimize the number of DNS records - too many records can affect DNS server performance
  • Increase security using DNSSEC (DNS Security Extensions) but consider performance impacts
  • You can balance traffic load and increase resilience to outages by using DNS Load Balancing
DNS Performance Comparison
Average DNS Resolution Times
Not Optimized
150ms
Optimized
40ms
Premium DNS + CDN
20ms
DNS Optimization Effects
-45%
Page Loading Time
+30%
User Experience
+99.9%
Uptime

Popular DNS Providers Comparison

Provider Average Speed Global Network Additional Features
Cloudflare Very Fast 250+ Lokasyon DDoS protection, Anycast, DNSSEC, CDN integration
Amazon Route 53 fast 50+ Region GeoDNS, Health Checks, Traffic Flow Routing
Google Cloud DNS fast 30+ Region High availability, GeoDNS, DNSSEC
Akamai DNS fast 100+ Lokasyon Fast DNS, CDN integration, security
Attention: When optimizing DNS, be mindful of changes that may affect your existing services. In particular, lowering TTL values ​​can put more load on DNS servers and increase costs. Apply changes gradually and test each step.
DNS Performance Testing Tools
  • DNSPerf: Compare the performance of different DNS providers
  • Pingdom DNS Check: Analyze DNS resolution times
  • GTmetrix: Measure page load time and DNS impact
  • WebPageTest: Detailed DNS performance analysis
  • DNS Benchmark: Test the performance of local DNS servers
  • dig and nslookup: Measure DNS query time via terminal
DNS Caching Example:
<!-- Google Fonts for önbellekleme -->
<link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//fonts.googleapis.com">
<link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//fonts.gstatic.com">

<!-- CDN ve analitik kaynakları for -->
<link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//cdn.example.com">
<link rel="dns-prefetch" href="//www.google-analytics.com">

Frequently Asked Questions

It typically takes 24-48 hours for changes to DNS records to propagate throughout the internet (propagation). This time may vary depending on TTL (Time To Live) values ​​and caching policies of DNS servers. Lower TTL values ​​(for example, 300 seconds) allow changes to propagate faster but place more load on DNS servers.

Lowering your TTL values ​​24-48 hours before making any significant changes may speed up the propagation process. During the propagation process, some users may see old DNS records while others may see new records.

An A record (Address Record) points a domain name directly to an IPv4 address, while a CNAME record (Canonical Name) points a domain name to another domain name.

A Record CNAME Record
Redirects domain name to IP address Redirects domain name to another domain name
Manual update required when target IP changes Automatically updates when target IP changes
Available on root domain (example.com) Cannot be used on root domain
Example: example.com → 192.0.2.1 Example: www.example.com → example.com

To configure and secure your email service, you need to use these DNS records:

  • MX Records: Specifies which mail servers the e-mail traffic will be directed to. Servers with low priority values ​​are preferred first.
  • SPF Record (TXT): Indicates which servers are authorized to send email on behalf of your domain.
  • DKIM Record (TXT): By digitally signing emails, it gives recipients the ability to verify that the email actually came from you.
  • DMARC Record (TXT): Policy that specifies what to do when SPF and DKIM verifications fail.

Your email provider (Google Workspace, Microsoft 365, Zoho Mail, etc.) provides detailed instructions on how to configure these records.

When you change your nameservers, you completely transfer the DNS management of your domain to the new DNS provider. In this case:

  • All DNS records on old nameservers (A, CNAME, MX, TXT, etc.) not transferred automatically
  • In your new DNS provider, you will need to manually recreate all previous records
  • If you change the nameserver without making a backup of your old records, you may lose access to these records.

Therefore, before changing the nameserver make a backup of all your existing DNS records and pre-configure these records in the new provider. Some DNS providers (e.g. Cloudflare) may attempt to automatically scan and import your DNS records when adding your domain, but this may not always be %100 accurate or complete.

Creating a DNS record for subdomains (for example, blog.example.com, app.example.com) is the same as creating a regular DNS record. The only difference is that you enter the prefix of the subdomain in the "Name/Host" field when adding a record:

  1. Log in to your DNS management panel
  2. Click "Add Record" or similar
  3. Select record type (A record or CNAME record)
  4. Enter the subdomain prefix in the "Name/Host" field (e.g. "blog", "app")
  5. Enter the IP address (for an A record) or the target domain (for a CNAME record) as the target
  6. Set the TTL value and create the record

It is generally more advantageous to use CNAME records for subdomains because you do not have to update all subdomains one by one when the IP address of the main domain changes.

TTL (Time To Live) is the value that indicates how long a DNS record will be stored in the DNS resolvers' cache. This value is expressed in seconds and affects how quickly changes to DNS records propagate.

TTL Value Usage Scenario Avantaj Dezavantaj
300s (5 minutes) Records that are planned to be changed soon rapid propagation More load on DNS servers
3600s (1 saat) Standard use, balanced approach Medium speed propagation Changes propagate within 1 hours
86400h (1 days) Stable records that rarely change Less load on DNS servers slow propagation

Suggestions:

  • Normally 3600s (1 hours) is a balanced TTL value
  • If you are planning changes soon, set the TTL to a low value (300s) 24-48 hours in advance
  • Once the changes are complete, revert the TTL to its normal value

The "DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN" error indicates that the browser could not find the entered domain name on the DNS servers. This error usually occurs in the following situations:

  1. The domain name may be misspelled
  2. Domain name registration has expired or the domain name does not exist
  3. DNS records may be misconfigured
  4. DNS propagation may not be completed yet
  5. Local DNS cache may be corrupted

Solutions:

  • Make sure the domain name is spelled correctly
  • Check your DNS records (A record, CNAME record)
  • Make sure your domain registration is active
  • Clear your DNS cache (browser and operating system)
  • Use a different DNS server (such as 8.8.8.8, 1.1.1.1 )
  • Wait for DNS propagation to complete (24-48 hours)

If your domain name has been newly registered or you have made changes to the DNS settings, it may take some time for the propagation process to complete.

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