CDB Managed DNS glossary
Definitions for terminology used throughout CDB Managed DNS documentation.
A record maps a domain name to its corresponding IPv4 address.
AAAA record maps a domain name to its corresponding IPv6 address.
Authoritative name servers are servers responsible for directly answering queries for records in their specific domains, distinguishing them from non-authoritative or caching servers that temporarily store DNS query results.
CNAME record is used to alias a domain name to another and is commonly used for associating a subdomain with another domain's DNS records.
DNS propagation is the process of updating all servers with new information about the DNS. It involves spreading new DNS information from one server to another and can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours.
DNS query is a request for information sent from a client device to the DNS. The query retrieves specific DNS records associated with a domain name, and the DNS server responds with the requested information, enabling the client to connect to the desired web server.
DNS record is a database entry within the Domain Name System (DNS) that maps a domain name to various data types, including IP addresses. DNS records direct traffic to the correct servers for a given domain name.
DNS zone is a conceptual unit used in administration to delegate control over DNS settings across various domains and subdomains. It represents a portion of the domain name space and includes all DNS records for the domains within that zone.
DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) is a suite of IETF specifications that adds a layer of security to the DNS. It protects against attacks including forging or manipulating DNS data by verifying the authenticity and integrity of responses with digital signatures.
Domain (domain name) is a unique string of characters that identifies a website and serves as an address used to access it on the internet — gcore.com or google.com.
Domain registrar is a company that manages the reservation of internet domain names. Registrars can register domain names for individuals or companies and interact with the global DNS database to make those domain names accessible worldwide.
MX record specifies the mail servers responsible for receiving email on behalf of a domain.
Name servers in CDB Managed DNS are the authoritative name servers ns1.gcorelabs.net and ns2.gcdn.services.
NS record indicates which servers are authoritative for a particular zone.
Recursors (recursive resolvers) are servers designed to receive DNS queries from client machines through web browsers and other devices. When a recursor receives a query, it interprets and forwards the request to the appropriate authoritative name servers. If the answer is in the recursor's cache, it returns the cached answer to the client; otherwise, it queries the authoritative servers. This process is known as recursion.
Reverse DNS lookups is a process for determining the domain name associated with a given IP address, implemented via PTR records. This is the opposite of forward DNS lookup, which resolves domain names into IP addresses.
SOA record provides information about the domain and the zone, including the primary name server, the email of the domain administrator, the domain serial number, and timers.
SRV record is used to identify the hostname and port number for specific services — VoIP or instant messaging.
Subdomain is a separate part of a website that operates under the same primary domain name. If the domain is sample-test.com, subdomains include store.sample-test.com or blog.sample-test.com. Subdomains are commonly used to organize content into distinct sections.
TTL (Time To Live) is a value in seconds that specifies how long a DNS record can be cached by resolving name servers, browsers, or operating systems before it needs to be refreshed.
TXT record stores arbitrary text data associated with a domain. It is commonly used for domain ownership verification, email authentication (SPF, DKIM), and DMARC policies.
Zone apex (root zone) is the top-most part of the DNS hierarchy. It represents the namespace for which a DNS server has authority and contains information about the domain and its subdomains. In the domain name store.sample-test.com, sample-test.com is the zone apex.