Optional host resource records

Using the DNS Manager, you can define resource records to hold the following information about a host:

• Aliases that specify alternative names for the host (CNAME records).

• Mail exchangers and their relative priorities (MX records). These are the machines on which a host expects to receive mail.

• A free-text description of the zone (TXT record).

• A description of the hardware and operating system of the host (HINFO record).

• The person responsible for the host (RP record).

Defining aliases for a host

To define alternative names for a host:

1. If you are not currently entering the details for a host, select the host from those listed for the zone, then select Records Modify.

2. Click on Aliases.

3. For each alternative name by which a host is known, enter the host name, then click on Add to add it to the list.

4. Click on OK to exit.

Defining the mail exchangers for a host

To define the default mail exchangers for a host:

1. If you are not currently entering the details for a host, select the host from those listed for the zone, then select Records Modify.

2. Click on Mail exchangers.

3. For each mail exchanger that a host can use, enter its host name, then click on Add to add it to the list.

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   NOTE: If you specify the full domain that the mail exchanger is in, you must specify a dot (.) at the end of the name, for example:

   mailhub.mynet.com.
   

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4. The order of the mail exchangers determines their priority with the most preferred being at the top of the list.

   To increase a mail exchanger's priority, select it and then click on Promote.

   To decrease a mail exchanger's priority, select it and then click on Demote.

5. Click on OK to exit.

Entering a description of the host

To enter a description of the hardware and operating system of the name server:

1. If you are not currently entering the details for a host, select the host from those listed for the zone, then select Records Modify.

2. Click on Host info.

3. Enter details of the hardware and operating system of the host machine.

4. Click on OK.

Entering other information about the host

To enter a short free-text description of the host:

1. If you are not currently entering the details for a host, select the host from those listed for the zone, then select Records Modify.

2. Click on Description.

3. Enter the description of the host.

4. Click on OK.

Defining the host administrator

To define the person responsible for administering a host:

1. If you are not currently entering the details for a host, select the host from those listed for the zone, then select Records Modify.

2. Click on Owner.

3. Enter the mail address of the administrator who is responsible for the host. The address must be in DNS form using ``.'' instead of ``@'' to delimit the username from the remainder of the address.

4. Enter the domain name that contains the free-text resource record (TXT) that describes the responsible person.

5. Click on OK.