api: YAML JSON TOON Database
version: 1.0.0
format: yaml
dataset:
  id: 2372
  slug: dns-fundamentals
  title: DNS Fundamentals
  description: Common DNS record types and their purposes.
  summary: "The DNS record types that appear in everyday zone files: address records, aliases, mail routing, delegation, text records and zone authority, plus the reverse-lookup, service-location, certificate-authority and DNSSEC types operators meet next. Each row says what the record maps and what it is used for."
  use_when:
    - You are configuring or debugging DNS for a domain, mail setup or certificate issuance.
    - You need to know which record type answers a given question.
  caveats:
    - Answers depend on the record type queried; a name can have several types at once.
    - A CNAME cannot coexist with other record types at the same name, which is why the zone apex needs special handling.
  related:
    - network-ports-reference
    - tcp-ip-protocol-suite
  entry_count: 16
  fields:
    - section: data
      field: type
      type: string
      example: A
    - section: data
      field: description
      type: string
      example: Maps a hostname to an IPv4 address.
  category: Networking
  category_slug: networking
  tags: networking,dns,records
  view_count: 52
  created_at: 1792832553
  updated_at: 1792832553
data:
  - type: A
    description: Maps a hostname to an IPv4 address.
  - type: AAAA
    description: Maps a hostname to an IPv6 address.
  - type: CNAME
    description: Canonical name alias for another domain.
  - type: MX
    description: Mail exchange record for email routing.
  - type: NS
    description: Authoritative name server for the domain.
  - type: TXT
    description: Arbitrary text often used for verification and SPF.
  - type: SOA
    description: Start of authority record with zone metadata.
  - type: PTR
    description: Maps an IP address back to a hostname, used for reverse DNS.
  - type: SRV
    description: Locates a service by naming its host and port, with priority and weight.
  - type: CAA
    description: Lists the certificate authorities permitted to issue certificates for the domain.
  - type: DNSKEY
    description: Holds a public key used to verify DNSSEC signatures for the zone.
  - type: DS
    description: "Delegation Signer: a hash of a child zone's key placed in the parent to chain DNSSEC trust."
  - type: RRSIG
    description: A DNSSEC signature over a set of records.
  - type: HTTPS
    description: "Service binding for HTTPS: advertises alternative endpoints and supported protocols such as HTTP/3 (SVCB family)."
  - type: NAPTR
    description: "Name Authority Pointer: rewrite rules used in telephony number mapping and some service discovery."
  - type: TLSA
    description: Associates a TLS certificate or key with a service name, used by DANE.