How does the managed DNS work? Is it useful? Can I mix-and-match?

[scooke]

There is a recent Topic where someone had a domain out of their reach and they couldn't remove it because, I suppose, it had been added using one of the domain registrars listed under the Domains and Certificates on the dashboard.

I've always gone wildcard. I could use one of those listed since I have some domains at those companies, but it isn't clear to me how that works. More specifically, I use MXRoute for emails, and so one question I have is whether letting Cloudron manage my DNS means other non-Cloudron-specific DNS records will be deleted or erased? Or even allowed??

The other reason being that I sometimes use sub-domains on other VPSs, so I need to be able to enter those records. But if Cloudron manages it, is this possible? Or will those non-Cloudron DNS records get overwritten or deleted?

Wildcard!```
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[jdaviescoates]

@scooke in short, it's great! Once you set it up (in the case of Gandi just copying over a secret key) then you don't ever have to manually edit DNS again.

@scooke said in How does the managed DNS work? Is it useful? Can I mix-and-match?:

one question I have is whether letting Cloudron manage my DNS means other non-Cloudron-specific DNS records will be deleted or erased? Or even allowed??

Yes allowed, and before Cloudron writes over anything existing it would warn you.

[scooke]

@jdaviescoates Even with a warning, can it not overwrite everything, or it will? Like the MXroute email settings... will those get overwritten? If so, only the first time? For example, let's say I use Cloudron's DNS, it sets everything, but then I include the MXRoute records... will those get auto-erased any point?

[jdaviescoates]

@scooke I guess it's safest for @staff to confirm, but afaik Cloudron will never overwrite existing records without warning.

[girish]

@scooke yes, you can mix between Cloudron's automation and manual DNS changes. In fact, that's the normal and only mode of operation.

The automation is only adding and removing things that you would have to do normally outside Cloudron. For example, when you install an app, you have to setup A records. When you uninstall an app, you remove the A records. This is all the automation does. If you try to install an app in a location and there is already a DNS entry in your DNS provider, Cloudron will inform you of the same and let you 'overwrite' it or cancel the app installation.

Same goes for email stuff. It sets up things like DKIM/SPF records automatically. These are updated carefully to not collide with existing entries. The MX record is only touch if you enable incoming Cloudron Email. Even in that case, there is a checkbox to not update DNS.