Results 1 to 11 of 11
  1. #1
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    385

    A records vs. Nameservers

    Is there a difference on using A records or Nameservers in pointing a domain to a server?

    Thanks :O

  2. #2
    They do two different things:

    An A record will point to an IP.

    A nameserver entry will point to some nameservers (where you will still have to setup an A record to point the domain to an IP).

    Many registrars let you set up Host records right on their nameservers. If you don't care which nameservers you use, then setting up an A record right on the registrar's nameservers should work just fine for you.
    --
    GlobalHost.com
    Website Hosting
    Since 1998

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2006
    Location
    Hyderabad
    Posts
    458
    A record means pointing it to an IP address

    Nameserver means a record something like ns1.dnsgem.com which in turn will have A record to point to an IP address

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    385
    but how about speed or any other factors that affects it?

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    1,312
    What do you mean by "speed"

    Evidently the speed of the nameserver will change the "speed" that a site gets resolved and then loads?

    A name server is the DNS server that holds the A records, MX records etc..

    So when you browse to lets say, Google.com

    Your browser searches for the Nameserver on google.
    It then queries the nameserver for the A record of the domain google.com
    Your browser then connects to the IP in the A record.

    Nameserver = yellow pages.
    A record = a telephone number for a business inside the yellow pages..
    Live Chat Support Software for your Business website - IMsupporting.com

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    385
    i mean, will it affect how fast the domain will redirect/point (i'm not sure of what term to use) to the proper server?

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    1,312
    Yeah, If the nameserver is slow to respond then yes, it will take longer for the browser to get the correct IP and load the page.

    Normally this isnt a problem and DNS records / DNS servers answer fairly quickly.
    Live Chat Support Software for your Business website - IMsupporting.com

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Jul 2010
    Posts
    385
    so do you think using A records is better than Nameservers?

  9. #9
    Join Date
    Jul 2009
    Location
    UK
    Posts
    1,312
    I think your probably a little confused.

    You will require both for your domain to work.

    Nameservers HOLD the A records.

    So your domain zone file will have lets say 2 NS ( nameserve records )
    You then have A records MX etc .
    The nameservers hold the A records..

    So your NS records will point to the DNS server that holds the A record.
    The A record will point to your server IP address.

    I hope this helps?
    Live Chat Support Software for your Business website - IMsupporting.com

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Posts
    266
    A name server is like a Table and A records are like data in the table.
    PromptSpace - Web Services
    Host4Geeks
    Shared Hosting, Domains, Email Hosting, SSL
    US & UK hosting

  11. #11
    An A record is part of the zone file. It is used to divert the traffic to an IP address.

    For example, if you want marketing.yourdomain.com to go to IP address 222.111.444.4, you can set an A record for marketing.yourdomain.com to point to 222.111.444.4.

    A records are mostly used for setting up Mail Exchangers.

    Hope this helps!

Similar Threads

  1. Replies: 7
    Last Post: 09-06-2011, 01:11 AM
  2. Custom Nameservers + MX Records
    By Html33 in forum Hosting Security and Technology
    Replies: 9
    Last Post: 07-28-2009, 01:15 PM
  3. Creating own nameservers - A Records?
    By Loganaew in forum Domain Names
    Replies: 6
    Last Post: 01-11-2009, 09:24 PM
  4. Custom Nameservers with A Records and CNAME
    By godard in forum Domain Names
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 11-25-2008, 09:18 AM
  5. DNSreport: No NS A records at nameservers
    By kyriakos in forum Hosting Security and Technology
    Replies: 3
    Last Post: 02-13-2006, 09:31 AM

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •