With cPanel, users are granted access to make some DNS changes from within the control panel. Please note that this effect will only work if HostGator's nameservers or private nameservers registered with HostGator IPs are being used.
- Users can create and edit A and CNAME records by going to the Simple DNS Zone Editor which is found under the Domains section in cPanel.
- Users can also create and edit MX records with the MX Entry icon found under the Mail section in cPanel. For more information, please see: Local, Backup and Remote Mail Exchanger
- Users can easily customize SPF records using the Email Authentication icon under the Mail section in cPanel.
- Users can also add TXT records using the Advanced DNS Zone Editor icon under the Domains section in cPanel.
With a Reseller account, any of the DNS zone records can be added and modified with no restrictions; however, this feature is only available if HostGator's nameservers or private nameservers registered with HostGator IPs are being used.
DNS zones can be edited in the same way as Shared accounts (listed above), but as a Reseller, you have a more powerful tool in WHM.
For more details about updating DNS inside WHM, please refer to the following article:
Important Information About DNS Changes
When making changes to DNS, please keep the following in mind:
- DNS zone changes must be made where the domain's nameservers point.
- DNS zone changes are not instant; they require time for propagation. Most records need 0-4 hours, but nameserver records require approximately 24-48 hours. For more information, please see our Propagation Times article.
- It is vital to check the NS records and ensure they match exactly to the nameservers being used at the domain's registrar (also known as "fixing the glue"). If they do not match exactly, your website may experience intermittent downtime.
DNS Zone Functions
The following information will assist you in understanding the purpose of each DNS zone.
- Nameservers assist in finding the server and correct DNS zone for a domain in order to get the information on the other DNS zone records.
- NS records listed in the DNS zone must match the nameservers being used.
- A records point the domain to an IP address (e.g. mydomain.com -> IP address).
- CNAME records point subdomains to another domain name like www and mail. (e.g. www.domain.com -> domain.com).
- MX records control where emails are received. If the mail is to be hosted on another server, then the MX records are what need to be changed. (e.g. domain.com -> mail server).
- TXT records are custom records which contain machine-readable data. TXT records must be formatted according to whichever technology you are trying to use.
For more information on the purpose and use for each DNS record, please refer to the following article: