Re: CNAME or A record?

[Martin Rowe <dbg400.net@xxxxxxxxx>]

2009/1/22 Jon Paris <Jon.Paris@xxxxxxxxxxxxxx>:
> I want to establish a new subdomain for my main domain. This will be
> handled by a server for which I have an existing subdomain.  It
> appears from what I have read that I can achieve what I want either
> through setting up a new A record or by using a CNAME entry.
>
> Is there any advantage/disadvantage to one over the other?

Hi Jon

I use a mix of both. CNAMEs can point to another domain while A
records point to IP addresses. I have an A record for my dbg400.net
domain, as well as some sub-domains that point to hosted web space. I
use CNAMEs for all the other sub-domains and point them all to a
DynDNS domain that in turn points to my home cable connection where my
web server is. My router can update the DynDNS account if my external
address changes (fortunately this doesn't happen very often) and all
the sub-domains should follow it. The hosted space IP is much less
likely to change so the A record is fine, plus the domain itself has
to have an A record. Whether it's the best way to do it I couldn't
say, but it seems to work well enough.

Regards, Martin