How to configure a domain for an unmanaged product

In order to configure a domain to resolve to your unmanaged server, you must configure a DNS A record that points to the server's IP address. The steps to do this depend on where you registered the domain.

Domains registered with A2 Hosting

If you registered your domain with A2 Hosting, or if you transferred your domain to A2 Hosting, use the following procedures to set up the domain for your server.

To set the name servers for your server, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the A2 Hosting Customer Portal at https://my.a2hosting.com.
2. Click My Domains, locate the domain, and then click the  icon.
3. In the left sidebar, click Nameservers.
4. In the Nameserver text boxes, type the name servers that you want to use, and then click Change Nameservers.
   You can use the following name servers for your server:

   • dns1.name-services.com
   • dns2.name-services.com
   • dns3.name-services.com
   • dns4.name-services.com
   • dns5.name-services.com

To create an A record that associates your domain name with the server's IP address, follow these steps:

1. Log in to the A2 Hosting Customer Portal at https://my.a2hosting.com.
2. Click My Domains, locate the domain, and then click the  icon.
3. In the left sidebar, click DNS Management.
4. If this is the first time you are accessing DNS host management, you must complete the order process to activate the feature. To do this, click Buy Now:

   

   After you complete the order process, you can manage your domain's host records as described in the following steps.

5. In the Host Name text box, type *.
6. In the Record Type list box, select A (Address).

7. In the Address text box, type your server's IP address.
   

   Your server's IP address is listed in the A2 Hosting Customer Portal at https://my.a2hosting.com.
8. Click Save Changes.

Domains registered with a third-party provider

If your domain is registered with another registrar, you must use their DNS management interface to create an A record for your server:

• For information about how to manage domains registered with GoDaddy, please visit http://support.godaddy.com/help/article/680/managing-dns-for-your-domain-names.
• For information about how to manage A records for domains registered with Network Solutions, please visit http://www.networksolutions.com/support/a-records-ip-addresses.
• For information about how to manage domains registered with eNom, please visit http://www.enom.com/help/dnsdemo.asp.

If your registrar does not have DNS management tools that allow you to create A records, you can search for free DNS management solutions that allow you to use their name servers to configure A records.

Alternatively, if you are experienced with DNS management, you can install Bind or NSD on your server and configure your own name servers. Please note that you are responsible for managing and maintaining such a configuration.

More Information

For more information about A records, please visit http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_DNS_record_types.

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