CNAME

A CNAME record is a type of DNS record that maps an alias name to a true or canonical domain name.

More About CNAME Records

DNS Management: Commonly used in DNS settings for domain management.

Usage Scenarios: Useful for associating subdomains with external services or with main domains.

Limitations: Cannot coexist with other records for the same name.

Configuration: Typically managed through a domain’s DNS settings interface.

How to Add a CNAME Record in cPanel

Here are the steps to add a CNAME record in cPanel:

1. Log in to cPanel:
   • Open your web browser and go to your cPanel login page. This is usually accessed through a URL provided by your hosting provider (e.g., https://yourdomain.com/cpanel). Log in with your cPanel username and password.
2. Locate the “Domains” Section:
   • Once logged in, you’ll see various sections in the cPanel dashboard. Look for the “Domains” or “Domains” section, which may vary slightly depending on your cPanel version.
3. Access the “DNS Zone Editor or Zone Editor”:
   • Within the “Domains” section, find and click on the “Zone Editor” or a similar option. This is where you can manage your DNS records.
4. Choose the Domain:
   • From the list of domains associated with your cPanel account, select the domain for which you want to add a CNAME record.
5. Add a CNAME Record:
   • In the DNS Zone Editor, you’ll see your existing DNS records. To add a CNAME record, scroll down to the “Add a CNAME Record” section or a similar option.
6. Specify CNAME Details:
   • Here’s what you’ll need to provide:
     • Name or Host: Enter the subdomain or alias you want to create. For example, if you want to create a CNAME record for “blog” to point to “example.com,” you’d enter “blog” in this field.
     • CNAME: Enter the canonical name (the target domain or hostname) to which the subdomain should point. For our example, this would be “example.com.”
7. Save the CNAME Record:
   • After entering the details, click the “Add CNAME Record” or “Save” button to create the CNAME record.
8. Verify the Record:
   • Once you’ve added the CNAME record, it may take some time (typically a few hours to propagate globally) for the DNS changes to take effect. You can use DNS lookup tools or wait for propagation to complete.

That’s it! You’ve successfully added a CNAME record in cPanel. Keep in mind that while the steps above are general, the specific interface and options in cPanel may vary slightly depending on your hosting provider and the version of cPanel they offer. If you encounter any difficulties or have questions, it’s a good idea to consult your hosting provider’s support or documentation for assistance specific to their cPanel configuration.

How to Add a CNAME Record in Cloudflare

To add a CNAME (Canonical Name) record in Cloudflare, follow these steps:

1. Log in to Cloudflare:
   • Open your web browser and go to Cloudflare’s website (https://www.cloudflare.com/). Log in to your Cloudflare account using your credentials.
2. Select Your Domain:
   • After logging in, you’ll be taken to the Cloudflare dashboard. Click on the domain for which you want to add a CNAME record.
3. Access the DNS Settings:
   • In the domain dashboard, find and click on the “DNS” or “DNS Settings” tab. This is where you can manage your DNS records.
4. Add a CNAME Record:
   • Look for the “Add Record” button, which is usually located near the existing DNS records.
5. Specify CNAME Details:
   • You’ll need to provide the following information:
     • Name: Enter the subdomain or alias you want to create. For example, if you want to create a CNAME record for “blog” to point to “example.com,” you’d enter “blog” in this field.
     • Type: Select “CNAME” from the dropdown menu.
     • TTL (Time to Live): Set the Time to Live value for the record. This determines how long DNS resolvers should cache the record before checking for updates. The default value is usually fine for most cases.
     • Target: Enter the canonical name (the target domain or hostname) to which the subdomain should point. For our example, this would be “example.com.”
6. Save the CNAME Record:
   • After entering the details, click the “Add Record” or “Save” button to create the CNAME record.
7. Verify the Record:
   • Once you’ve added the CNAME record, it may take some time (typically a few hours to propagate globally) for the DNS changes to take effect. You can use DNS lookup tools or wait for propagation to complete.

That’s it! You’ve successfully added a CNAME record in Cloudflare.