Best Practices for Managing DNS Records in Plesk
1. Understand DNS Basics: Familiarize yourself with common DNS record types (A, CNAME, MX, NS, TXT, etc.) and their purposes. Know how DNS propagation works and the time it takes for changes to be reflected globally.
2. Use Descriptive Record Names: Use clear and descriptive names for DNS records to make management easier, especially in larger environments.
3. Regularly Review DNS Records: Periodically audit your DNS records to ensure they are correct, necessary, and not outdated. Remove any records that are no longer in use.
4. Implement TTL Values Wisely: Set appropriate Time-To-Live (TTL) values for your records. Shorter TTLs allow for quicker updates but can increase DNS query load, while longer TTLs reduce load but can delay changes.
5. Backup DNS Settings: Regularly export and back up your DNS settings. This will allow you to restore configurations quickly in case of accidental changes or data loss.
6. Document Changes: Keep a log of changes made to DNS records, including who made the change and why. This can help troubleshoot issues that arise later.
7. Implement Security Measures: Use DNSSEC (Domain Name System Security Extensions) to protect against DNS spoofing and cache poisoning attacks. Limit access to DNS management to trusted users and roles to minimize the risk of unauthorized changes.
8. Utilize DNS Templates: For hosting multiple domains, utilize DNS templates in Plesk to ensure consistent record settings across all domains.
9. Monitor DNS Performance: Use tools to monitor DNS performance and response times. This can help identify issues with DNS resolution that could affect website accessibility.
10. Plan for Changes: When making significant changes, consider the impact on existing services. Use maintenance windows if necessary to minimize disruptions.
11. Test DNS Changes: After making changes, use tools like dig or nslookup to verify that the records are set correctly and resolving as expected.
12. Educate Your Team: Ensure that all team members involved in DNS management understand the implications of DNS records and the procedures for making changes.
