Creating a CNAME

What is a CNAME Record?

A CNAME, or Canonical Name, Resource Record (RR) creates an alias for a fully qualified domain name (FQDN) in the DNS database. This allows one name to always resolve to the IP address specified by another name. For example, www.example.com can point to example.com. In order to create a CNAME RR, no other RR may exist with the same name (ex. an MX or NS RR).

Internal Records vs. External Records

There are two kinds of DNS Records we use here at Tufts: Internal and External. Internal DNS Records are records that can only be used while on the Tufts network. External Records are those that can be used while outside the Tufts Network. If you create only an Internal Record for a system, the domain name will not be accessible from the internet so you will usually want to use both.

Creating a CNAME Record

Login to Proteus/Bluecat web console

1.) Click the DNS tab at the top of the page. The DNS screen will open.

2.) Next, click either the external view or internal view. If the record needs to be in both views, you will need to repeat this process.

3.) Click to expand and drill down the domain tree (Tree View will be easier to use than Table View). Locate and open the DNS zone that you need to create the record in.

4.) Once you're in the correct zone (ex. uit.tufts.edu; med.tufts.edu, etc.) click the New menu, then select Alias Record. The New Alias Record screen will open.

5.) Fill in the Name text box (e.g. www.uittrain17.uit.tufts. edu) and the Host text box (e.g. uittrain17.uit.tufts.edu) and wait for it to auto-complete.
The CNAME Record must point to another name managed by Tufts.

6.) Fill in the comments section for details on the change

7.) Click Add. If you have more than one CNAME Record to create, click the Add Next button instead to open a New Alias Record window.

REMEMBER that CNAME updates happen on the same schedule as DNS updates. Click here for the update schedule