01 What is DNS?
DNS (Domain Name System) translates a human-readable name like serverbd.net into the IP address of the server hosting the site.
Every domain has a DNS zone — a file containing several different record types. Each record type has a different job:
| Record | Purpose | Example value |
|---|
| A | Points a hostname to an IPv4 address | 103.30.40.50 |
| AAAA | Points a hostname to an IPv6 address | 2400:cb00:: |
| CNAME | Points one hostname to another | serverbd.net |
| MX | Where to deliver email for the domain | mail.serverbd.net |
| TXT | Plain text — used for SPF, DKIM, verification | v=spf1 ... |
| NS | Which nameservers are authoritative | ns1.mysecurecloudhost.com |
| SRV | Service location (e.g. SIP, XMPP) | 10 5 5060 voip.example.com |
02 Changing nameservers
Nameservers tell the world where your domain's DNS zone is hosted. ServerBD uses two different nameserver sets — pick the one that matches your hosting type.
Step 1Log in to your domain registrar (ServerBD client area, GoDaddy, Namecheap, etc.).
Step 2Open the Domain → Nameservers section.
Step 3Choose Use custom nameservers and enter the set that matches your hosting:
For DirectAdmin Hosting:
ns111d.hostwhitelabel.com
ns211d.hostwhitelabel.com
ns311d.hostwhitelabel.com
For cPanel & all other hosting:
ns1.mysecurecloudhost.com
ns2.mysecurecloudhost.com
ns3.mysecurecloudhost.com
ns4.mysecurecloudhost.com
Step 4Save. Allow up to 24 hours for nameserver changes to propagate worldwide.
Warning Once you switch nameservers, your old DNS host's records stop being used — copy any custom records (MX, TXT) over before switching.
Tip Not sure which set to use? Your hosting type and correct nameservers are listed in your welcome email. Or open a support ticket and we'll confirm.
03 Adding an A record
An A record points a hostname to an IPv4 address. Use it to point a subdomain at a different server.
Step 1In cPanel, open Zone Editor → click Manage next to your domain.
Step 2Click + Add Record → choose A Record.
Step 3Enter the hostname (e.g. app for app.yourdomain.com), the IPv4 address, TTL 14400.
Step 4Click Add Record. Test with ping app.yourdomain.com after 15 minutes.
04 Adding a CNAME record
A CNAME points one hostname to another (alias). Common for www and third-party services.
Step 1Open the Zone Editor and click + Add Record → CNAME Record.
Step 2Set Name to www and Record to yourdomain.com.
Step 3Save. www.yourdomain.com now resolves to wherever your root domain points.
Note A CNAME cannot be set on the root domain (@) — only on subdomains.
05 Adding an MX record
MX records control where email for your domain is delivered. The lowest priority number wins.
Common MX setups
| Provider | Priority | Mail server |
|---|
| cPanel (default) | 0 | mail.yourdomain.com |
| Google Workspace | 1 | smtp.google.com |
| Microsoft 365 | 0 | yourdomain-com.mail.protection.outlook.com |
| Titan Mail | 10 | mx1.titan.email |
| Titan Mail (backup) | 20 | mx2.titan.email |
Step 1Zone Editor → + Add MX Record.
Step 2Enter the priority and mail server values from your provider.
Step 3Important: remove any old MX records (e.g. cPanel's default) so mail isn't sent to two places.
06 Adding a TXT record (SPF)
SPF lists which servers are allowed to send email as your domain. It stops spammers spoofing your address.
Common SPF values
| If you use | SPF value |
|---|
| cPanel only | v=spf1 +a +mx +ip4:SERVER_IP ~all |
| Google Workspace | v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all |
| Microsoft 365 | v=spf1 include:spf.protection.outlook.com -all |
| Titan Mail | v=spf1 include:spf.titan.email ~all |
Step 1Zone Editor → + Add Record → TXT.
Step 2Set Name to @ (root domain).
Step 3Paste the SPF value into the TXT Data box and save.
Warning Only one SPF record per domain. If you use multiple senders, combine them with include:.
07 Adding DKIM & DMARC
DKIM signs your email cryptographically. DMARC tells receivers what to do with mail that fails SPF/DKIM.
DKIM (cPanel auto)
Step 1cPanel home → Email Deliverability.
Step 2Click Manage next to your domain → Install Suggested Record for DKIM.
DMARC (manual TXT)
Step 1Zone Editor → + Add TXT Record.
Step 2Set Name to _dmarc.
Step 3Set TXT Data to:
Tip Start with p=none for the first 2 weeks to monitor before enforcing quarantine or reject.
08 Adding an SRV record
SRV records publish the host & port for a specific service (commonly used for VoIP / SIP).
Step 1Zone Editor → + Add Record → SRV.
Step 2Format the name as _service._protocol.yourdomain.com (e.g. _sip._tcp.yourdomain.com).
Step 3Set the priority, weight, port and target host.
_sip._tcp.yourdomain.com 10 60 5060 voip.yourdomain.com
09 Checking DNS propagation
After making any DNS change, you can verify it has propagated globally.
Step 2Enter your hostname (e.g. yourdomain.com) and select the record type.
Step 3Wait until all locations show the same value.
From command line
# Check the A record
dig yourdomain.com A +short
# Check MX records
dig yourdomain.com MX +short
# Check TXT (SPF / DMARC)
dig yourdomain.com TXT +short
dig _dmarc.yourdomain.com TXT +short