How do I Update My DNS Records?

DNS records are a set of information that you provide that connects your domain name to the server where you host your content. Providing correct DNS Records are a necessary step for a functional website.

Nameservers and DNS Records

DNS records are provided through your nameserver. Gandi provides nameservers free of charge to users who purchase domains with us. If you use an external nameserver, however, you will need to manage your DNS records through their interface.

If you originally purchased your domain using Gandi’s old interface then you may need to set your domains to use our LiveDNS, our latest version of nameservers. You can read about how to do this here.

Editing your DNS Records

There are several ways for you to edit your DNS records with Gandi. You can choose the method that most fits your needs, since all methods will produce the same results.

Editing a Single Domain

First, find your domain’s DNS records by following these steps:

  1. After logging in, click “Domain” in the left navigation menu.

  2. Click on the domain name you wish to manage.

  3. Select the “DNS Records” tab for that domain.

From here you can edit your domain’s DNS records one at a time in table mode, or edit the entire zone file in text mode.

Table Mode

In table mode you use Gandi’s interface to manage DNS records. You can do the following actions:

  • Click the green pencil next to a record to edit the record.

  • Click the red trash icon next to a record to delete the record.

  • Click the green “Add” button above the table to add a new record.

With each option a dialog box will appear asking you for the necessary information. Once you confirm your choices the change will be made.

Text Mode

In text mode you can edit the entire zone file on your own. This option is best suited to users who are familiar with the proper format for DNS records.

To do this click “Edit DNS Records” to edit the file. Once you are finished click “Save” to save your changes.

Editing Multiple Domains Using a Configuration Template

You can create a set of DNS records that will be applied to every domain name you purchase by using configuration templates. You can read in depth about how to use configuration templates here.

DNS Records Update Delay

When you update your domain’s DNS records, that file is then sent throughout the domain name system, which is a system of interconnected computers around the world. Because of the nature of this update, it can take up to 72 hours for your changes to take effect.

Backup DNS Records

If you are using Gandi’s LiveDNS servers, you have the ability to save a copy of your DNS records as a backup. To do this, go to the “DNS Records” tab for the desired domain and click “Save a backup.” At this time this feature is only available for users using LiveDNS.

To restore your domain’s DNS records using an existing backup click “Restore.” You will then choose which backup to use, or choose to use the default Gandi LiveDNS records.

Export DNS Records

You can export a CSV file containing the DNS records for all your domains by following these steps:

  1. After logging in to your account, select “Domains” from the left navigation menu.

  2. Click on the gear icon in the top right corner of the list.

  3. Click “Export DNS records to CSV.”

If you only want to export the DNS records for small selection of your domain names, you can follow these steps:

  1. After logging in to your account, select “Domains” from the left navigation menu.

  2. Click the checkbox next to all the domains whose information you wish to export.

  3. Click “Export” in menu that pops up across the bottom of your screen.

  4. Select “DNS Records.”

  5. Click “Continue.”

DNS Record Types

To learn about the different record types, what they are used for, and how to set them up with Gandi, visit the following pages:

  • A records - Used to point your domain to a server with a static IP address

  • Alias record - Used to point your domain to another website address

  • CAA record - Used to provide information to certificate authority during the process of validating an SSL certificate

  • CNAME record - Used to point a subdomain to another website address

  • MX record - Used to point to a mail server

  • NAPTR record Used mainly for managing internet telephony sessions

  • RP record - Used to add contact information for a responsible party

  • PTR record - Used for reverse DNS

  • SPF record - Former record type used for preventing spoofed emails. TXT records are now used

  • SRV record - Used to establish a connection between a service and a hostname

  • TXT record - Used for attaching text information to your domain. This is a flexible record type that serves multiple purposes

Note

While you can use a CNAME record for your subdomain’s DNS record, if you want to point multiple distinct domain names to a single website this is best done with a web forward instead of with a DNS record.

Making a Subdomain

Subdomains are the part directly in front of your domain name. For example in “docs.gandi.net" the subdomain starts with “docs”. In “www.gandi.net" the subdomain starts with “www”.

To make a subdomain you will first follow the above instructions to edit your DNS records.

You will want to then click the green “Add” button to add a record. When creating a subdomain you can either use an A record to point your subdomain to an IP address, or use a CNAME record to forward your subdomain to another website address. In the form you can specify the subdomain and the destination, then confirm.

Note

As stated above, if you want to point multiple distinct domain names to a single website (such as example.org and gandi.com), it is best to use web forward instead of DNS records.

More Information

You can find more information about DNS records in our DNS FAQ.