All about CNAME Mapping

All about CNAME Mapping

Overview- CNAME Records

A CNAME (Canonical Name) record is used in DNS to create an alias for a domain. Unlike an A record, which points directly to an IP address, a CNAME record always points to another domain name.
Think of it like a scavenger hunt: each clue (CNAME) leads you to the next clue (another domain), until you finally reach the treasure (the A record pointing to an IP address).
Example
If blog.example.com has a CNAME record pointing to example.com, the DNS server first looks up blog.example.com, then follows the alias to example.com, and finally returns the IP address associated with example.com.
CNAME records are particularly useful for managing subdomains such as blog.example.com or shop.example.com. Instead of assigning individual IPs, these subdomains can point to a root domain. If the IP address of the root domain changes, all subdomains using CNAMEs automatically reflect the change.

Use of CNAME Records in Meritto

1. Email CNAME
Used to send communication emails (e.g., to students) via the client’s domain—helping reduce spam issues.
2. Domain CNAME
Used to customize the URL of Application or Registration pages according to client preferences.
Example: Email CNAME Record
Institute ID: 6068
Institute Name: IIMBx Digital Learning Foundation 

HOST

Record Type 

Value

TTL

em4648.iimb.ac.in

CNAME

u43569742.wl243.sendgrid.net

3600

s1._domainkey.iimb.ac.in

CNAME

s1.domainkey.u43569742.wl243.sendgrid.net

3600

s2._domainkey.iimb.ac.in 

CNAME

s2.domainkey.u43569742.wl243.sendgrid.net

3600

  1. The root domain is iimb.ac.in.
  2. These records are generated via SendGrid and must be placed in the DNS server of the root domain.

Steps to Generate Email CNAME Records 



  1. Navigate to Settings > Communication > Configure Email Account.
  2. Select Domain Authentication, enter the domain, and click Add.
  3. The CNAME records will be generated with a Pending status.
  4. Send the generated CNAME records to the client’s email.
  5. Once the client maps them, click Verify. If mapped correctly, it will change to Verified.
  6. You can also check the mapping at https://dnschecker.org.

Steps to Generate Domain CNAME (White-labeling)

  1. Email the Infra team with:
    1. Institute Name and ID
    2. Old Domain of LP
    3. New Domain
    4. Infra
  2. Infra will share the required CNAME records.
  3. Ask the client to map them in their DNS settings.
  4. Verify on dnschecker.org.
  5. Inform the Infra team once verified.
  6. Upon confirmation, update the domain:
    1. Go to Manage Accounts
    2. Click on the three dots > Change Account Subdomain
    3. Enter the new subdomain and save

How to Place/Map CNAME Records

In cPanel/WHM
  1. Ask the client to log in to their domain hosting account.
  2. Navigate to DOMAINS > Zone Editor.
  3. Click Manage, then Add Record > select CNAME.
  4. Enter:
    1. Name: Subdomain (ie, if your domain is in iimbxadmissions.iimb.ac, the Name value in cPanel will be iimbxadmissions.iimb.ac)
    2. TTL: This can be left as-is or set to a default of 3600.
    3. Record: Provided CNAME value
  5. Click Add Record.
Watch the tutorial video on setting CNAME in cPanel
In GoDaddy
  1. Sign in to your GoDaddy Domain Portfolio.
  2. Open Domain Settings > DNS.
  3. Click Add New Record, select CNAME.
  4. Fill in:
    1. Name, TTL, and Value
  5. Select "Add More Records" to add multiple DNS records at once. If you change your mind, click the delete icon to remove any unsaved records.
  6. Click Save (or Save All Records if adding multiple).
In Cloudflare

Use Cases and Best Practices

  1. Set TTL to 3600 or the minimum available (e.g., 1 min).
  2. Only use the prefix (e.g., em4648) in the Name field.
  3. The domain must match the CNAME value. (For example: for the CNAME ‘em4648.iimb.ac.in’, the domain must be iimb.ac.in)
  4. Always verify CNAME records on dnschecker.org.

CAA Records Mapping

  1. In the Name field, use @ instead of the domain name.
  2. Set:
    1. Flag: 0
    2. Tag: issue
  3. After mapping, verify on dnschecker.org.

Conclusion

CNAME records are essential for flexible domain management, email authentication, and white-labeled branding in Meritto. Whether configuring subdomains or custom communication channels, correct CNAME setup ensures reliability, brand consistency, and improved email deliverability. Always follow best practices and verify DNS updates to ensure proper functionality.

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