Knowledge Base
DNS and nameservers explained simply.
DNS is the system that connects your domain name to your website and email. This guide explains the basic pieces and where to change them.
Nameservers and DNS records
Nameservers tell the internet which service holds the DNS records for your domain. The DNS records say where your website and email actually live. If you change nameservers, the records at the new nameservers are the ones that count.
The records you will meet most often
- A record: points a name to an IPv4 address
- AAAA record: points a name to an IPv6 address
- CNAME record: makes one name an alias of another name
- MX record: says which server receives email for the domain
- TXT record: holds text such as email authentication and verification values
- TTL: how long, in seconds, other systems may cache a record
Why changes are not instant
DNS answers are cached around the world. After a change, some visitors may still see the old answer until the cache expires. This can take from a few minutes up to a day or two. A lower TTL set before the change shortens the wait.
What you can manage in the PRH Panel
Sign in with your PixelRackHost client account and you are taken into the panel. If something does not work after a change, wait for the TTL to pass, then check the record for typing mistakes before contacting support.
- Nameservers and DNS records
- Registrar lock, which helps protect the domain against unwanted transfers
- WHOIS privacy
- Renewals and auto-renew
- Forwarding and parking
- Domain transfer