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What Is A CNAME - How To Create & Edit CNAME

Summary

A CNAME (Canonical Name) points one domain or subdomain to another domain name, allowing you to update one A Record each time you make a change, regardless of how many Host Records need to resolve to that IP address.

Understanding a CNAME


These records point www.example.com to example.com, imap.example.com to mail.example.com, and docs.example.com to ghs.google.com.
The first record allows the domain to resolve to the same server with or without the www subdomain.
The second record allows you to use an alternative subdomain for email hosting an delivery.
The third record allows you to use the docs.example.com subdomain with Google Apps, where you can use Google's document management system. This type of record requires additional configuration with Google.

Creating a CNAME

  1. Log into your HostGator Hosting Account
    • Legacy: Select the DNS Zone Editor icon in the Domains section.
    • Rock: Click the Domains tab from the side navigation menu, then select the Zone Editor option.
  3. Select the domain you're modifying from the drop-down box.
  4. Scroll down to the heading named Add DNS Record
  5. In the Host Record field, enter the desired record name
  6. Leave the TTL field at it's default setting
  7. Select CNAME, from the drop-down labeled Type
  8. In the Points To field, enter the address that the record should resolve to.
  9. Other fields may appear depending on the type of record you are creating.
  10. Click on the Add Record button to create the record

Editing a CNAME

  1. Log into your HostGator Hosting Account
    • Legacy: Select the DNS Zone Editor icon in the Domains section.
    • Rock: Click the Domains tab from the side navigation menu, then select the Zone Editor option.
  3. Select the domain you're modifying from the drop-down box.
  4. Scroll down to the heading named CNAME
  5. Click Edit
  6. Make the necessary changes the CNAME
  7. Click Save
  8. Click on the Add Record button to create the record



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