Understanding DNS: Nameservers, A Records, CNAME, MX, and TXT Records
The Domain Name System (DNS) translates domain names into IP addresses so browsers can find and load websites.
Nameservers
Nameservers tell the internet which DNS servers manage your domain's DNS records. To connect your domain to Neurax Host hosting, follow the nameserver or DNS configuration instructions provided with your hosting account.
Changing nameservers can affect your website, email, and other services if the DNS records are not configured correctly.
DNS changes may become visible within minutes, but full propagation can take longer depending on DNS caching, TTL values, and the type of change. In some cases, updates may take 24–48 hours or longer to become visible everywhere.
Common DNS Record Types
A Record
An A record maps a domain name or subdomain to an IPv4 address. Use it when you want your domain to point directly to a server's IPv4 address.
Example: yourdomain.com → 203.0.113.10
This is an illustrative documentation address, not a real hosting server IP. Use the actual public IP address supplied in your hosting account when configuring your domain.
CNAME Record
A CNAME record creates an alias from one hostname to another hostname.
Example: www.yourdomain.com → yourdomain.com
CNAME records can be used for suitable subdomains, such as www or shop, depending on your DNS configuration. Do not use a CNAME for a hostname that needs other record types, such as MX records, at the same name.
For email services, follow your email provider's DNS instructions rather than assuming a CNAME is appropriate for mail.
MX Record
An MX record specifies which mail servers receive email for your domain.
For example, an MX record may point to a mail-server hostname supplied by your email provider. That hostname must resolve correctly, and the mail service must be configured to accept email for your domain.
Use the exact mail-server hostname and priority values provided by your email hosting provider.
TXT Record
TXT records store text information in DNS. Common uses include:
- SPF: Identifies which mail servers are authorized to send email for your domain.
- DKIM: Publishes a public key used to verify email signatures.
- Domain verification: Confirms domain ownership for services such as Google and other platforms.
Follow the relevant service provider's instructions when adding TXT records.
Managing DNS on Neurax Host
Sign in to your Neurax Host account and open your domain or hosting management dashboard. Locate the DNS management or DNS Zone Editor option, if available. The exact menu path may vary depending on your account interface and service.
Before editing DNS records, make a note of the existing settings. Incorrect changes can interrupt website access or email delivery.
DNS changes may become visible within minutes, but full propagation can take longer depending on caching, TTL values, and the type of change.
Troubleshooting DNS
If your website does not load after a DNS change:
- Check that the domain's nameservers or DNS records match the configuration supplied by your hosting provider.
- Verify that the A record points to the correct public server IP address from your hosting account.
- If you use email hosting, check that the MX records match your email provider's instructions.
- Review any recent DNS changes and confirm that no required records were removed or altered.
- Use a DNS propagation checker, such as dnschecker.org, to compare DNS results from different locations.
If the problem continues, contact Neurax Host support for help verifying the correct DNS configuration.