Configuring a CNAME Record

A CNAME record, or canonical name, maps an address to its canonical name. When a name server looks up a name and finds a CNAME record, it replaces the name with the canonical name and looks up the new name.

One of the times where CNAME records are useful is when a subdomain is pointed to a different web server than the mail server or web server. For example, the CNAME of "www" points to the website host for the domain example.com, or www.example.com. The CNAME "office" could be used to point to a collaboration portal or office.example.com.

As with an MX Record setup, setting up a CNAME entry is done in the Advanced DNS Settings area of a domain registrar or web host. A single CNAME entry, consisting of an alias and a hostname, will need to be added.

NOTE: If interested in this feature, contact your service provider.

CNAME Setup

1. Log in to the domain registrar account or web host that controls your DNS Settings.
2. Look for a section that says DNS Manager or Controls. Select the domain to modify.
3. Look for a section that says Add CNAME record. You want to add an alias such as "office" and point it to the URL provided by your service provider, for example, customurl.hyperoffice.com.
4. Log out and contact your service provider's support team to also make this change to the login URL of the portal account.

Checking your DNS settings (with a Windows OS)

Follow these steps to ensure a properly configured DNS configuration. Please be aware changes may not reflect for up for 48 hours after configuration. Here is an example with a fictitious company called Quisine Corp. They have set up a CNAME of "portal" already pointing to customurl.hyperoffice.com.

1. Click on the Windows Start Button Click on RUN.
2. In the Open box, type CMD. This opens up a command prompt.
3. Type: NSLOOKUP portal.quisine-corp.com - This will check the CNAME alias you set up called "portal."
4. Verify "portal" is pointing to customurl.hyperoffice.com - customurl.hyperoffice.com should appear by NAME. The domain "portal.quisine-corp.com" should also appear by ALIASES. If this is not correct, please go back to your DNS settings and make the proper changes. If this is correct, type cls to clear the screen.