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Domains Basics ​

1. What is Domain Name? ​

Domain Name is a human-readable address used to identify and locate websites on the internet. It serves as a website's address, making it easier for users to remember and access.

For example, aapanel.com is a domain name. A domain consists of multiple parts, typically including Top-Level Domain (TLD) (e.g. .com, .org) and Second-Level Domain (e.g. aapanel).

2. Structure of Domain Name ​

  • Top-Level Domain (TLD): The last part of the domain, (e.g. .com in aapanel.com).

  • Second-Level Domain: The part before the TLD, (e.g. aapanel in aapanel.com).

  • Subdomain: The part before the second-level domain, (e.g. www in www.aapanel.com).

3. What Are DNS Records? ​

DNS (Domain Name System) records are entries stored in the DNS database that specify how a domain should resolve to a server or service. Common DNS record types include:

  • A Record: Maps a domain to an IPv4 address (e.g. aapanel.com --> 123.123.123.123).

  • AAAA Record: Maps a domain to an IPv6 address (e.g. aapanel.com --> 1234:5678:90ab:cdef:1234:5678:90ab:cdef).

  • CNAME Record: Points a domain to another domain, which then provides the IP address (e.g. www.aapanel.com --> aapanel.com).

  • MX Record: Specifies mail server addresses (e.g. for mail.aapanel.com).

  • TXT Record: Stores arbitrary text, often used for verification (e.g. SPF, DKIM).

4. What is the SOA Record? ​

SOA (Start of Authority) records are a crucial part of the Domain Name System (DNS) which contain administrative information about a DNS zone. They specify the primary name server responsible for the domain, as well as various parameters that govern how other DNS servers interact with the zone data.

  • Nameserver: The primary DNS server of the domain, e.g.: ns1.example.com

  • Admin Email: The administrative email address for the domain

  • Serial Number: Used to identify the version of domain resolution data. When domain records are updated, the serial number must be incremented, secondary servers will determine whether to synchronize the new data based on this number.

  • Refresh: The time interval that secondary servers should wait before querying the primary server's SOA record to check for changes.

  • Retry: The time interval that secondary servers should wait before retrying failed refresh query.

  • Expire: If secondary server fails to synchronize data from the primary server for long time, it will stop providing domain resolution services for this domain once this time period is exceeded.

  • Minimum (Minimum TTL): Serves as the default value when no TTL is specified for domain records; it also acts as the retention time for negative caching (records of failed resolution).

5. What is NS Records? ​

  • NS records specify which DNS servers are responsible for managing a domain. Without these records, DNS queries will not know where to look for the domain's IP address.

6. FAQs ​

  • Q: How long does DNS propagation take?
    A: Typically, it takes a few minutes to several hours, with a maximum of 48 hours.

  • Q: How can I check a domain’s DNS records?
    A1: Use command-line tools like nslookup or dig (e.g. dig aapanel.com).

    A2: Use online tools like whatsmydns.

  • Q: Why can’t I access my domain?
    A: Possible reasons include incorrect DNS settings or unresolved domain propagation. Verify your DNS records (e.g. ensure the A record for aapanel.com points to the correct server IP).