DNS (Domain Name System) records control how your domain is directed across the internet — from pointing your website to the correct server, to routing your emails and verifying domain ownership. This guide explains how to add DNS records to your domain using the DirectAdmin control panel via your exHost account.
Before You Begin
There is one important thing to note about how DirectAdmin handles record names:
- In DirectAdmin, a full stop (.) at the end of a hostname marks the end of that record.
- For example, a record named www is treated as www.yourdomain.com. — DirectAdmin automatically appends your domain name to short hostnames.
Step 1 — Log in to Your exHost Dashboard
- Open your web browser and go to dashboard.exhost.com.au.
- Enter your exHost account username and password.
- Click Sign In to access your account dashboard.
If you've forgotten your login details, use the Forgot Password link on the login page to reset them.
Step 2 — Access DirectAdmin
- Once logged in to your exHost dashboard, locate your active hosting service.
- Click on the DirectAdmin or Control Panel button associated with your hosting plan.
- This will open the DirectAdmin control panel in your browser.
Step 3 — Open DNS Management
- Inside DirectAdmin, find the Account Manager section.
- Click on DNS Management.
- A page will load displaying all existing DNS records for your domain.
Take a moment to review your current records before making changes to avoid creating duplicate entries.
Step 4 — Add a New Record
- Click the Add Record button at the top of the DNS Management page.
- An Add Record form will appear on screen.
Step 5 — Fill in the Record Details
Complete the form fields with the required information:
- Record Type — Use the dropdown to select the type of DNS record you wish to add (e.g., A, CNAME, MX, TXT).
- Name — Enter the hostname for the record (e.g., www, mail). Leave blank to apply the record to the root domain.
- TTL — This defaults to 3600 seconds (1 hour). Leave this as-is unless you have a specific reason to change it.
- Value — Enter the destination for the record (e.g., an IP address for an A record, or a domain name for a CNAME record).
Once all fields are completed, click the Add button to save the record.
Note: The fields displayed will change depending on the Record Type selected. Use the dropdown to switch between record types as needed.
Common DNS Record Types
Here is a quick reference for the most frequently used DNS record types:
- A Record — Points your domain or subdomain to an IPv4 address.
- AAAA Record — Points your domain or subdomain to an IPv6 address.
- CNAME Record — Creates an alias that points one domain name to another.
- MX Record — Directs incoming email to your designated mail server.
- TXT Record — Used for domain verification and email authentication standards such as SPF and DKIM.
How Long Do DNS Changes Take?
After adding or modifying a DNS record, please allow time for the changes to propagate across the internet. This process — known as DNS propagation — can take anywhere from a few minutes up to 24–48 hours, depending on the record type and TTL value set.
Need Help?
If you experience any issues or are unsure which DNS records to add, our support team is here to assist. Contact exHost Support and we'll be happy to help.
Let me know if you'd like this saved as a Word document or if you'd like any sections adjusted — such as adding a specific internal link once a "How to Log in to DirectAdmin" article is published on the exHost knowledgebase.
