DNAME Record

In one line

The DNAME (Delegation Name) record redirects an entire subtree of the DNS namespace to another domain. Unlike CNAME (which redirects a single name), DNAME redirects all names under a domain. DNAME is used for domain renaming, IPv6 reverse DNS delegation, and ccTLD infrastructure. A DNAME at old.example.com redirects www.old.example.com, api.old.example.com, and all subdomains to the target.

Description

DNAME creates a synthetic alias for an entire subtree. When a resolver encounters a DNAME, it synthesizes CNAME records for any queried name under the DNAME owner. DNAME records themselves do not redirect the owner name – only names below it. The owner name typically also has a CNAME or is the target of a CNAME. DNAME is widely used in .arpa zones for IPv6 reverse DNS and in ENUM infrastructure.

Examples

old.example.com. 3600 IN DNAME new.example.com.
# www.old.example.com → synthesized CNAME → www.new.example.com

8.b.d.0.1.0.0.2.ip6.arpa. IN DNAME 8.b.d.0.1.0.0.2.example.com.

dig old.example.com DNAME

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