What do A records in DNS configuration refer to?

A records in DNS (Domain Name System) configuration specifically refer to IPv4 addresses. They are used to map a domain name to its corresponding IPv4 address, allowing users and applications to locate a resource or host over the internet by translating a human-readable domain name into a numerical IP address that computers use for routing data.

This mapping is crucial because while users interact with the internet using domain names (like example.com), computers communicate using IP addresses. The A record enables this translation, ensuring that when a user types in a domain name, the DNS server can provide the corresponding IPv4 address so the user's device can connect to the correct server.

Other choices represent different types of DNS records:

• IPv6 addresses are represented by AAAA records, not A records.

• Domain names are part of the DNS structure but are not what A records refer to directly; rather, A records are the means to resolve those domain names into addresses.

• Text records (TXT records) are used for various purposes, including sender verification in email protocols and do not relate to A records directly.

Understanding the role of A records helps in managing DNS and networking more effectively, particularly in troubleshooting connectivity issues and configuring web services.