Setting Up a Custom Hostname for Your Private Server

To point your domain or subdomain to a specific IP address, you’ll need to create or edit an A record in your domain’s DNS settings. This guide will walk you through each step in a simple, straightforward way. Follow along, and soon your Private Server hostname will reflect your own.

1. Log in to Your Domain Registrar Access your domain registrar's website, where you manage DNS settings. This is typically where you purchased the domain.

2. Navigate to DNS Settings Locate the option to manage DNS settings. This may be labeled "DNS Management," "DNS Settings," or something similar.

3. Locate A Record Section In the DNS management interface, find the A record section. The A record is used to map your domain or subdomain to an IPv4 address.

4. Add or Edit an A Record If you don't have an existing A record for the domain or subdomain, add a new one. If there is an existing A record, select it to edit.

5. Enter IP Address In the A record configuration, enter the hostname (e.g., @ for the main domain or "www" for a subdomain) and the IPv4 address you want to use.
   

6. Save Changes Save the new or updated A record. The save option might vary depending on your registrar’s interface.

7. Wait for DNS Propagation DNS changes may take time to propagate. While changes can be seen in minutes, they may take up to 48 hours to reach all users.

8. Verify the Configuration Once propagation is complete, confirm the A record points to the correct IP address. You can verify using an online DNS lookup tool, such as https://geoiplookup.io.

Following these steps will allow you to connect your domain to a specific IP address via an A record. You can update these settings as needed by accessing the DNS settings panel on your registrar’s site.