ANAME Records

Question about DNS

[BrooklynB]

I just got a client who has his domain name registered at <no specifics please>. In trying to change the DNS for the name, they will only allow changing the MX server and something they call the ANAME Record. I assume changing the MX will also change The DNS. And the ANAME record is the IP address associated with the DNS. Or am I wrong?

Thanks

[edited by: tedster at 2:38 pm (utc) on Sep. 25, 2004]
[edit reason] remove specific registrar [/edit]

[claus]

The MX records is only for your email. The A NAME is for pointing the domain name to the IP, ie. for the web.

If you want your email to go to another place, you should change the MX records. If you want the web site to be at another IP you should change the A NAME record.

[BrooklynB]

Thanks. This particular registrar does not allow changing the DNS name. [Some major registrars] allow you to specify the nameservers by name (e.g.ns1.blah.net). This registrar only allows changing the ANAME IP address. This is why I am confused.

[edited by: tedster at 9:55 pm (utc) on Sep. 25, 2004]

[claus]

Ah, i see. For nameservers, there are NS records. The reason is probably that [the registrar] thinks they'll be able to hold on better to their customers if they are the ones that perform the nameserver service (aka "customer lock in" - making it a little bit more difficult to switch).

Still, if you change the A NAME record, this new information will be served to the www by the nameservers, regardless if they're [the registrar's] own nameservers or somebody elses.

Personally, i tend to go with hosts that are just that, ie. hosts (and good at that particular thing). My DNS and nameserver service is done by different companies than my hosting, as i find it's more flexible this way. I should add, that it's also a bit more expensive this way ;)

[edited by: tedster at 9:53 pm (utc) on Sep. 25, 2004]
[edit reason] remove specifics [/edit]