A
A is the acronym for Address.
Address
The A record is a fundamental DNS record type that maps a domain name to an IPv4 address. It is the primary method for connecting human-readable domain names to the numerical IP addresses that computers use to identify each other on networks. When a user types a domain name into their browser, the DNS system uses the A record to locate the corresponding IP address of the web server hosting that domain’s content.
A records are essential for various online services, not just websites. They can be used for mail servers, FTP sites, and any other service that needs to be accessed via a domain name. Multiple A records can be associated with a single domain name, allowing for basic load balancing and redundancy. For example, large websites might use multiple A records to distribute traffic across several servers.
In practice, A records are straightforward and consist of two main components: the domain name (or subdomain) and the IPv4 address it points to. They’re crucial for maintaining a functional and accessible online presence, making them a cornerstone of DNS management for businesses and organizations of all sizes.