How to Create a CNAME Record Print

How to Create a CNAME Record

A CNAME (Canonical Name) record is a type of DNS record that allows you to alias one domain name to another. This is particularly useful for pointing multiple domain names to a single IP address or for subdomain management. In this article, we will guide you through the process of creating a CNAME record, step by step.

Prerequisites

• You must have access to your domain's DNS management interface.
• Your domain must be registered and active.

Step-by-Step Instructions

Follow these steps to create a CNAME record:

1. Log in to your Domain Registrar or DNS Hosting Provider:

Access the control panel where your domain is managed. This could be your domain registrar or a third-party DNS provider.

2. Navigate to DNS Management:

Look for a section labeled "DNS Management," "DNS Settings," or "Zone File Settings." This is where you can manage your DNS records.

3. Add a New CNAME Record:

Find the option to add a new record. This might be a button labeled "Add Record" or "Create New Record."

4. Enter CNAME Record Details:

Fill in the required fields:

• Host/Name: Enter the subdomain you want to create. For example, if you want to create "blog.example.com," enter "blog."
• Type: Select "CNAME" from the dropdown menu.
• Value/Points to: Enter the domain you want to point to, such as "example.com" or "anotherdomain.com."
• TTL (Time to Live): This is optional. You can leave it as the default value or set it to a specific time (in seconds) for how long the DNS record should be cached.
5. Save Your Changes:

Once you have filled in all the details, click on the "Save," "Add Record," or "Update" button to save your new CNAME record.

6. Verify Your CNAME Record:

It may take some time for the changes to propagate across the internet. You can use online tools like What's My DNS to check if your CNAME record is set up correctly.

Practical Example

If you want to create a CNAME record for a blog subdomain that points to your main website, you would:

• Host/Name: blog
• Type: CNAME
• Value/Points to: example.com

Troubleshooting Tips

• Propagation Time: DNS changes can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours to fully propagate. Be patient and check back later.
• Incorrect Values: Ensure you have entered the correct domain and hostname. A small typo can lead to errors.
• Multiple CNAME Records: You cannot have more than one CNAME record for the same hostname. Ensure that there are no conflicting records.

By following these steps, you should successfully create a CNAME record for your domain. If you encounter any issues, don?t hesitate to reach out to your web hosting support team for assistance.