DNS Records Explained: A, CNAME, MX, TXT and TTL in Plain English
Every website and every business email address depends on a handful of DNS records, and almost nobody outside IT can say what they do.
AI summary
This guide provides an accessible overview of five essential DNS records—A, CNAME, MX, TXT, and TTL—to help non-IT professionals interpret their own domain records and verify technical configurations.
- The guide explains the functions of A, CNAME, MX, TXT, and TTL DNS records.
- The content uses a real domain example to demonstrate how to read and interpret DNS record outputs.
- Understanding these records allows users to independently verify vendor work regarding domain management.
- The training is intended to demystify DNS configurations for business owners and individuals outside of IT roles.
About this training
Every website and every business email address depends on a handful of DNS records, and almost nobody outside IT can say what they do. This walks through the five that matter, in plain English, using a real domain so you can see what each one actually returns.
By the end you will be able to read your own domain's records and understand what you are looking at — which is the difference between being able to check a vendor's work and having to take their word for it.
Put this training into practice
Talk with ALCO about how this guidance applies to your organization, your systems and the support your team needs.