DNS turns your domain into the address of the server your site runs on. Nameservers say where that DNS is kept; an A record holds the server's IP address.
DNS in one minute
Computers find each other by IP address, a number such as 203.0.113.10. People prefer names such as example.com. DNS (Domain Name System) connects the two. When someone types your domain, their browser asks DNS for the IP address, then loads your site from that server.
Three parts work together:
- The registrar, where you registered the domain, stores which nameservers the domain uses.
- The nameservers hold the domain's DNS zone: the list of all its records.
- The records in that zone point each name to a server: the website, email and other services.
Nameservers
Nameservers decide where your DNS records are managed. A domain usually has two, for example ns1.example-host.com and ns2.example-host.com.
- If your domain uses the nameservers of your ElySpace hosting, your DNS zone is on our server and you edit the records in cPanel. This is the easiest setup: website and email work right away.
- If it uses another company's nameservers, the records are managed there, and changes in cPanel have no effect.
You'll find the nameservers for your hosting on the service page in the client area: Find your server name, IP address and nameservers. You enter them at the registrar: Change your domain's nameservers.
The records you'll meet most
| Record | What it does | Example |
|---|---|---|
| A | Points a name to an IPv4 address: your website's server. | example.com → 203.0.113.10 |
| AAAA | The same for an IPv6 address. | example.com → 2001:db8::10 |
| CNAME | Makes one name an alias of another name. | www.example.com → example.com |
| MX | Says which server receives email for the domain. | example.com → mail.example.com |
| TXT | Holds text for checks: SPF, DKIM, DMARC or a verification code. | v=spf1 ... ~all |
Each record also has a TTL (time to live): how many seconds other servers may remember it before they ask again.
Two ways to connect a domain to your hosting
1. Change the nameservers (recommended)
Set the domain's nameservers to the ones on your service page. All records then come from your hosting, including the A record for the website and the MX record for email. Use this when the domain is used only for this hosting.
2. Change only the A record
Keep the nameservers where they are, and at that DNS provider set the A record of the domain (and of www, or a CNAME for www) to your server's IP address. Use this when other services on the domain must stay with another provider. For email on your ElySpace hosting you then also need the MX record and the SPF record there. If you're unsure which way fits, open a ticket in Domains Support.
Why changes take time
DNS answers are remembered (cached) by networks and devices. After a change, some visitors see the old setup for a while: a nameserver change can take up to 24 hours, sometimes longer. A changed record is usually seen sooner, depending on its TTL. To check from your own computer, clear your DNS cache.
Where to change what
- Nameservers: at your registrar. For domains registered with ElySpace, in the client area: Change your domain's nameservers.
- A, CNAME and TXT records (when you use our nameservers): in cPanel's Zone Editor: Edit DNS records in cPanel Zone Editor.
- MX records: Add or change MX records in cPanel.
Common problems
The website still shows the old host
The change hasn't reached your network yet. Wait a few hours and clear your DNS cache, or check from your phone with Wi-Fi turned off.
You changed a record in cPanel, but nothing happens
Your domain probably uses other nameservers, so the records in cPanel aren't used. Check the nameservers at your registrar, or change the record at the provider whose nameservers you use.
Email stopped after you changed the nameservers
The MX records now come from the new nameservers. If your email is hosted elsewhere, for example with Google Workspace, add that provider's MX records in the Zone Editor.
Related articles
- Point a domain from GoDaddy or another registrar to ElySpace
- Edit DNS records in cPanel Zone Editor (A, CNAME, TXT)
- Web hosting terms explained (glossary)
Still stuck? Open a support ticket and we'll help.
