Fast & Comprehensive DNS Lookup

DNS propagation is the time it takes for DNS changes to be updated across all DNS servers worldwide. When you make changes to your domain's DNS records, these changes need to propagate through the DNS hierarchy. The time this takes depends on the TTL (Time To Live) values of your DNS records and how frequently DNS servers refresh their cache.

Typically, propagation can take anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours, with most changes being visible within 24 hours. You can use our DNS Propagation Checker to monitor the status of your DNS updates across global nameservers in real-time.

DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) is a security protocol that adds an additional layer of authentication to DNS. It works by digitally signing DNS data to ensure its authenticity. This helps protect against DNS spoofing, cache poisoning, and man-in-the-middle attacks.

DNSSEC is important because it ensures that users reach the intended destinations when navigating the web, rather than malicious sites attempting to impersonate legitimate ones. While not mandatory, implementing DNSSEC is considered a best practice for enhancing domain security.

When encountering "DNS server not responding" errors, try these troubleshooting steps:

1. Restart your router and modem
2. Flush your DNS cache (Command: ipconfig /flushdns on Windows)
3. Temporarily disable your firewall and antivirus
4. Try using alternative DNS servers (like Google's 8.8.8.8 and 8.8.4.4)
5. Check if your ISP is experiencing DNS outages
6. Test on different devices and networks to isolate the issue

If the problem persists, use our DNS Health Check tool to diagnose potential issues with your domain's DNS configuration.

A Record: Maps a domain name to an IPv4 address (e.g., example.com → 93.184.216.34)

AAAA Record: Maps a domain name to an IPv6 address (e.g., example.com → 2606:2800:220:1:248:1893:25c8:1946)

CNAME Record: Creates an alias from one domain to another (e.g., www.example.com → example.com). Unlike A/AAAA records, CNAME records point to another domain name, not an IP address.

The key differences involve the type of destination (IP vs. domain) and the specific use cases. A/AAAA records are used for direct IP mapping, while CNAME records are useful for creating subdomains that mirror the main domain's DNS settings.

The optimal TTL (Time To Live) settings for DNS records depend on your specific needs:

• Standard operation: 3600-14400 seconds (1-4 hours) balances performance and flexibility
• Planned changes: Lower to 300-900 seconds (5-15 minutes) at least 24 hours before making DNS changes
• Critical infrastructure: 86400 seconds (24 hours) for stability, unless changes are anticipated
• Load-balanced or highly dynamic environments: 60-300 seconds (1-5 minutes), though this increases DNS query load

Consider your specific needs around propagation speed, caching benefits, and expected frequency of changes when setting TTL values.