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How to point a domain to a server (A record)

Step-by-step guide to point your domain to a server with an A record: what it is, how to do it and how long propagation takes.

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For your domain to show your site, you have to point it to your server's IP with an A record. Here are the steps.

1. Get your server's IP

Note the IP address of your VPS or hosting (you will find it in the panel or the welcome email).

2. Open your domain's DNS management

Access your domain's DNS editor in your registrar's panel (at ViaHost, from your account area).

3. Create or edit the A record

Create an A record with the name @ (the root domain) pointing to your server's IP. Repeat with www if you also want to cover that version.

4. Save and wait for propagation

Save the changes. DNS propagation usually takes from a few minutes to a few hours; after that, your domain shows your site.

FAQ

It is the DNS record that ties a domain name to an IPv4 address (for IPv6 you use the AAAA record).

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