DNS Management Blog
Guides and reference material on DNS record types, email security, and MSP operations.
Featured
Product Updates
Introducing UDNS Hosted: Authoritative DNS Built Into the Platform
Unified DNS now hosts authoritative DNS directly, on infrastructure built for MSPs — geographically redundant nameservers, three zone onboarding paths, DNSSEC, and audit-logged quick restore, all inside the same platform.
DNS Security
Domain Hijacking Isn't Rare Anymore: How MSPs Should Structure Client Domain Access
A client's registrar account gets compromised, the nameservers and MX records change overnight, and the MSP finds out when email stops working. Here's a practical framework for domain ownership, access control, and catching it before the client calls.
DNS Security
The Domains Nobody Thinks About Are the Ones Getting Abused
Parked and inactive domains rarely have SPF, DMARC, DKIM, or CAA records — making them easy targets for email spoofing and phishing. Here are the six DNS records every MSP should deploy on dormant client domains, and why each one matters.
Use Cases
Why a Single Expired Domain Took Down a Client for 36 Hours
During a demo, an MSP owner told us about a domain that expired over the weekend. Nobody caught it until Monday when the client called about email, 36 hours later. Here's what went wrong, why the usual advice doesn't hold up at MSP scale, and how Unified DNS prevents it.
MSP Operations
Why MSPs Need Multi-Provider DNS Management
MSPs juggle dozens of client domains across different registrars. Here's why centralized DNS management isn't a luxury anymore - it's a necessity for operational efficiency and security.
Product Updates
DNS Fundamentals
TCP vs UDP: What's the Difference, and Why DNS Runs on Both
DNS lookups run on UDP for speed, but zone transfers, DNSSEC, and oversized responses fall back to TCP. A firewall that only opens one of the two causes exactly the kind of quiet outage that's hard to trace back to its cause.
2026-07-21 · 16 min read
What Are Nameservers? DNS Delegation Explained
Nameservers are the servers that host your DNS records and respond to DNS queries. Learn how they work, how to change them, and best practices for MSPs managing client domains.
2026-01-14 · 10 min read
What Is TTL in DNS? Time To Live Explained
TTL (Time To Live) controls how long DNS records are cached. Learn how TTL works, recommended values for different scenarios, and how to optimize for migrations.
2026-01-14 · 9 min read
What Is DNS Propagation? Why DNS Changes Take Time
DNS propagation is the time it takes for DNS changes to spread across the internet. Learn why it happens, how long it takes, and strategies to minimize delays during migrations.
2026-01-13 · 9 min read
What Is a PTR Record? Understanding Reverse DNS
PTR records map IP addresses to hostnames, enabling reverse DNS lookups. Essential for email servers, security, and network diagnostics.
2026-01-07 · 7 min read
What Is an NS Record? Understanding DNS Nameservers
NS records specify which nameservers are authoritative for a domain. Learn how delegation works and best practices for managing nameservers.
2026-01-06 · 6 min read
What Is an SRV Record? Service Location in DNS Explained
SRV records specify the location of services like SIP, LDAP, and Microsoft protocols. Learn how they work and when MSPs need to configure them.
2026-01-05 · 6 min read
What Is a TXT Record? The Versatile DNS Record Explained
TXT records store text information in DNS for email authentication, domain verification, and more. Learn about SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and other critical uses.
2026-01-04 · 7 min read
What Is an MX Record? Complete Guide to Email DNS Configuration
MX records tell the internet where to deliver email for your domain. Learn how they work, priority settings, and best practices for configuring email DNS.
2026-01-03 · 7 min read
What Is a CNAME Record? Understanding DNS Aliases
CNAME records create aliases that point one domain to another. Learn how they work, their limitations, and when MSPs should use them versus A records.
2026-01-02 · 7 min read
What Is an A Record? The Complete Guide to DNS Address Records
A records are the foundation of DNS, mapping domain names to IPv4 addresses. Learn how they work, when to use them, and best practices for MSPs managing client DNS.
2026-01-01 · 7 min read
DNS Security
Domain Hijacking Isn't Rare Anymore: How MSPs Should Structure Client Domain Access
A client's registrar account gets compromised, the nameservers and MX records change overnight, and the MSP finds out when email stops working. Here's a practical framework for domain ownership, access control, and catching it before the client calls.
2026-07-15 · 14 min read
The Domains Nobody Thinks About Are the Ones Getting Abused
Parked and inactive domains rarely have SPF, DMARC, DKIM, or CAA records — making them easy targets for email spoofing and phishing. Here are the six DNS records every MSP should deploy on dormant client domains, and why each one matters.
2026-06-03 · 9 min read
What Is DNSSEC? DNS Security Extensions Explained
DNSSEC adds cryptographic signatures to DNS responses, protecting against cache poisoning and spoofing attacks. Learn how it works and whether you should implement it.
2026-01-14 · 11 min read
What Is a CAA Record? Controlling SSL Certificate Issuance
CAA records specify which Certificate Authorities can issue SSL certificates for your domain. Learn how to implement this important security control.
2026-01-06 · 6 min read
What Is a DS Record? DNSSEC Delegation Explained
DS records are essential for DNSSEC, creating a chain of trust between upper-level and delegated zones. Learn how they work and how to implement DNSSEC.
2026-01-05 · 6 min read
Email Security
What Is a DMARC Record? Email Policy Explained
DMARC tells receiving mail servers what to do when SPF or DKIM checks fail. Learn how to implement email authentication policies and protect your domains from spoofing.
2026-01-12 · 9 min read
What Is a DKIM Record? Email Authentication Explained
DKIM adds cryptographic signatures to your emails, proving they came from your domain and haven't been tampered with. Learn how it works and how to set it up.
2026-01-11 · 8 min read
What Is an SPF Record? Email Security Explained
SPF records tell receiving mail servers which IP addresses are authorized to send email for your domain. Learn how to prevent spoofing and improve deliverability.
2026-01-10 · 9 min read
MSP Operations
DNS Cutover Checklist for MSPs: How to Migrate Clients Without Downtime
A step-by-step DNS cutover checklist for MSPs migrating client domains between registrars or DNS providers: TTL reduction, record auditing, migration window execution, post-cutover verification, and rollback.
2026-05-19 · 19 min read
How to Set Up Google Workspace DNS Records: Complete Guide
A practical, start-to-finish reference for configuring every DNS record Google Workspace requires — all five MX records, SPF, DKIM signing, and DMARC policy.
2026-04-08 · 14 min read
How to Set Up Microsoft 365 and Intune DNS Records: Complete MSP Guide
A practical, start-to-finish reference for configuring every DNS record Microsoft 365 and Intune require — MX, Autodiscover, SPF, DKIM, DMARC, SRV, and the difference between enterpriseregistration and enterpriseenrollment.
2026-03-15 · 15 min read
Why MSPs Need Multi-Provider DNS Management
MSPs juggle dozens of client domains across different registrars. Here's why centralized DNS management isn't a luxury anymore - it's a necessity for operational efficiency and security.
2026-02-05 · 8 min read