How to Create a Forward DNS Record?

Creating a forward DNS record involves adding a mapping between a domain name and an IP address to your DNS server, enabling users to access your server by name instead of directly using its IP address. Here's how to do it:

Steps to Create a Forward DNS Record

1. Open DNS Manager: Access the DNS Management console on your DNS server. The specific steps will depend on your operating system (e.g., Windows Server). Generally, you can find it via Server Manager -> Tools -> DNS.

2. Navigate to Forward Lookup Zones: In the DNS Manager, locate and expand the server name in the left pane. Then, expand "Forward Lookup Zones."

3. Create a New Zone (if needed): If you don't already have a zone for your domain, right-click on "Forward Lookup Zones" and select "New Zone..." The New Zone Wizard will appear.

   • Zone Type: Select "Primary Zone" (or "Secondary Zone" if you are creating a secondary DNS server).
   • Zone Name: Enter the name of your domain (e.g., example.com).
   • Zone File: Accept the default settings for the zone file name.
   • Dynamic Update: Choose the appropriate setting for dynamic updates (usually "Allow only secure dynamic updates" if using Active Directory).

4. Create a New Host (A or AAAA) Record: Right-click inside your newly created (or existing) zone in the right pane, and select "New Host (A or AAAA)..."

   • Name: In the "Name" field, enter the hostname you want to map to the IP address.
     • To create a record for www.example.com, enter www.
     • To create a record for the bare domain example.com (also known as a root or apex record), leave this field blank.
   • IP Address: In the "IP address" field, enter the IP address of the server that you want to associate with this hostname. Use an A record for IPv4 addresses and an AAAA record for IPv6 addresses.
   • Create Associated PTR Record: If you want to create a reverse DNS record (PTR record) automatically, check the "Create associated pointer (PTR) record" box, provided there is a corresponding reverse lookup zone.

5. Add Host: Click "Add Host" to create the record. Click "Done" when finished.

Example: Creating a Record for www.example.com

Let's say you want users to reach your website by typing www.example.com in their browser, and your web server has the IP address 192.0.2.10. Here's how you would create the forward DNS record:

1. Open DNS Manager.
2. Expand your server and "Forward Lookup Zones."
3. Select the zone example.com. (Create it if it doesn't exist, as described above.)
4. Right-click in the right pane and choose "New Host (A or AAAA)..."
5. In the "Name" field, type www.
6. In the "IP address" field, type 192.0.2.10.
7. Click "Add Host."
8. Click "Done."

Verification

After creating the forward DNS record, you can verify it using tools like nslookup or dig from a command prompt or terminal. For example:

nslookup www.example.com

The output should display the IP address you configured for the www.example.com hostname.