Gandi DNS Setup Guide

How to Set Up DNS Records on Gandi

Gandi is a respected domain registrar and hosting provider known for their 'No Bullshit' philosophy and developer-friendly approach. This guide covers DNS management using Gandi's LiveDNS platform for websites, email, and services.

Step-by-Step Setup Guide

1. Log Into Gandi Account Access your Gandi account for DNS management.
   • Visit admin.gandi.net and sign in with your credentials
   • Click 'Domain' in the left sidebar navigation
   • Select your domain name from the list
   • Click 'DNS Records' tab to view your zone
2. Access LiveDNS Zone Editor Navigate to Gandi's LiveDNS record management.
   • Gandi's LiveDNS shows all DNS records in a clean interface
   • Records are organized by type with name, TTL, and value columns
   • You can filter records by type or search for specific entries
   • Click 'Add Record' button to create a new DNS entry
3. Create DNS Record Add a new DNS record to your zone.
   • Select record type from dropdown (A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, SRV, etc.)
   • Enter the name (use @ for root domain or type subdomain)
   • Set TTL (default 10800 seconds / 3 hours)
   • Input the value (IP address, hostname, or text content)
   • Click 'Create' to save the record
4. Verify DNS Propagation Confirm your DNS changes have propagated.
   • Gandi LiveDNS updates within 5-15 minutes to their servers
   • Global propagation typically completes in 1-4 hours
   • Use ReviewMyDNS to check propagation across global DNS servers
   • Gandi also provides a basic propagation check in their panel

Common DNS Record Types on Gandi

• A Record: Points your domain to an IPv4 address. Use @ for root domain. Gandi LiveDNS propagates A record changes within minutes. Type: A, Name: @, TTL: 10800, Value: 192.0.2.1
• CNAME Record: Creates an alias to another domain. Gandi requires a trailing dot on CNAME targets. Cannot be used on root domain - use ALIAS record instead. Type: CNAME, Name: www, TTL: 10800, Value: example.com.
• MX Record: Routes email to mail server. Gandi email uses spool.mail.gandi.net. Add trailing dot after mail server hostname. Type: MX, Name: @, TTL: 10800, Priority: 10, Value: spool.mail.gandi.net.
• TXT Record: Stores text for SPF, DKIM, DMARC, and verification. Gandi email SPF uses _mailcust.gandi.net. Type: TXT, Name: @, TTL: 10800, Value: v=spf1 include:_mailcust.gandi.net ~all

Troubleshooting Common Issues

• DNS changes not propagating from Gandi: Gandi LiveDNS typically updates within 5-15 minutes. If changes aren't visible, verify the record was saved (check for validation errors). Ensure your domain uses Gandi's LiveDNS nameservers. Use ReviewMyDNS to check global propagation status.
• CNAME or MX record not resolving: Gandi requires a trailing dot (.) on hostname targets for CNAME and MX records (e.g., example.com. not example.com). This is a common mistake. Edit the record and add the trailing dot.
• Gandi email not working after DNS changes: Verify MX records point to spool.mail.gandi.net with a trailing dot. Ensure SPF TXT record includes _mailcust.gandi.net. Check DKIM is configured in Gandi email settings. Allow 1-2 hours for email DNS changes to propagate.
• Cannot use CNAME on root domain: Gandi supports ALIAS records for root domains as an alternative to CNAME. Create an ALIAS record type instead of CNAME for the @ hostname. This allows CNAME-like behavior on the root domain.

Frequently Asked Questions

• What are Gandi's LiveDNS nameservers? Gandi LiveDNS nameservers follow the ns-*-*.gandi.net pattern (specific values shown in your account). Gandi automatically assigns LiveDNS nameservers when you register or transfer a domain. These are required to manage DNS through Gandi's interface.
• How long does Gandi DNS propagation take? Gandi LiveDNS updates within 5-15 minutes to their authoritative servers. Global propagation typically completes in 1-4 hours. Default TTL is 10800 seconds (3 hours). Lower the TTL before making changes for faster propagation.
• Does Gandi support ALIAS records? Yes, Gandi LiveDNS supports ALIAS records, which allow CNAME-like behavior on root domains. This is useful when services require a CNAME but you need it on the root domain (@). ALIAS records resolve to IP addresses at query time.
• Can I use the Gandi DNS API? Yes, Gandi provides a comprehensive REST API for DNS management at api.gandi.net. You can create, update, and delete DNS records programmatically. Generate an API key in your Gandi account settings under Security.