DNS Basics

    DNS stands for Domain Name System. It's like the phone book of the internet — it translates human-readable domain names (like example.ga.nu) into the numerical IP addresses that computers use to find each other.

    How DNS Works

    When someone types your domain into their browser:

    1. Their computer asks a DNS server: "What's the IP address for this domain?"
    2. The DNS server looks up the answer and responds with an IP address
    3. The browser connects to that IP address to load your website

    This happens in milliseconds, completely behind the scenes.

    What are DNS Records?

    DNS records are instructions that tell the DNS system what to do with requests for your domain. Think of them as routing rules.

    The most common record types are:

    • A Record — Points your domain to an IPv4 address (like 192.168.1.1)
    • AAAA Record — Points your domain to an IPv6 address
    • CNAME Record — Points your domain to another domain name
    • MX Record — Tells email servers where to deliver mail for your domain
    • TXT Record — Stores text information, often used for verification

    Why DNS Matters

    Good DNS management means:

    • Your website loads quickly
    • Your emails get delivered correctly
    • You can verify ownership of your domain for various services
    • You have control over where your domain points

    GA.NU provides a simple interface to manage all your DNS records without needing to be a technical expert.