A domain name is used when a web address is typed into a browser to find your website. A registered domain name is unique to you and can’t be used by anyone else, as it functions on the Internet in a similar way like a street address in the physical world.
A domain name can identify a specific website by using a unique set of characters
When you enter a domain name into a web browser, the browser accesses a domain name server (DNS) to find the location of the corresponding website on the internet, so that it can retrieve the website and display it to you.
The DNS delegates the responsibility to control how visitors find your website and how you receive email. When a domain name is typed into an address bar your device will look for that ip address to load the website. The DNS acts like a GPS finding the right directions using ip addresses to point you in the right direction.
In order to get you to your destination, DNS contains three main pieces to work correctly: nameservers, zone files and records. Nameservers hold the zone file and the zone file holds the records. The records are the part of DNS but the records won't work if the nameservers aren't set up correctly.
DNS records contain a lot of different rules and commands for how the server should respond to the request. Some of the most common forms of records are:
- A This record refers to the actual IP address that’s associated with the domain.
- CNAME This record is used to point to subdomains that might be listed under or linked with your current domain
- MX This refers to any mail servers that might be used and linked with your domain.
- NS This shows which nameservers are currently being used for your domain.
- SOA This record has important information about your domain, including when your domain was last updated and relevant contact information.
- TXT This can be edited to include any additional information about the domain that is not listed currently
See this article for more information: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Domain_name
