Understanding DNS and nameservers
DNS (Domain Name System) works like a phone book for the internet. It turns your domain name, such as yourdomain.co.za, into the address of the server that holds your website and email.
What are nameservers?
Nameservers are the servers that store those DNS records for your domain. Your domain is set to use a pair of nameservers, and whoever runs those nameservers controls where your website and email go.
Why it matters
- To use AfterWave hosting, your domain must use the AfterWave nameservers, which are listed in your welcome email, or have records pointing to your hosting. See How to point your domain to AfterWave hosting.
- If your nameservers point somewhere else, DNS records such as email and SPF must be edited there, not in your cPanel.
- Changes can take up to 24–48 hours to reach everyone, which is called DNS propagation.
Common record types
| Record | Used for |
|---|---|
| A | Points your domain or a subdomain to a server’s IP address (your website). |
| CNAME | Points one name to another name, for example www to your domain. |
| MX | Tells the world which server receives your email. |
| TXT | Holds text used for verification and email security (SPF, DKIM, DMARC). |
To edit records, see How to add or edit DNS records in cPanel.
Still need help?
Our team is happy to help. Please have your domain name or invoice number ready.
Was this article helpful?