A subdomain can be directed to a different server by creating a DNS record that points to the destination server’s IP address.
This is commonly used when a specific service, application, or website section is hosted separately from the main domain.
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How subdomain routing works
DNS records determine where a domain or subdomain sends traffic.
When a visitor opens a subdomain, DNS resolves the associated IP address and connects the visitor to the corresponding server.
For example:
blog.exampledomain.comcan point to a different server than:
exampledomain.comStep 1: Open DNS management
- Log in to the mybox panel
- Open the Domains section
- Select the domain
- Open Manage DNS
Step 2: Add an A record
Create a new DNS record with the following values:
| Field | Value |
|---|---|
| Name | sub.exampledomain.com |
| Type | A |
| Value | Server IP address |
| TTL | 900 |
Replace:
sub.exampledomain.comwith your actual subdomain.
Replace:
Server IP addresswith the IP address of the destination server.
Step 3: Configure the www version (optional)
If you also want the following address to work:
www.sub.exampledomain.comcreate an additional DNS record for that hostname.
The exact configuration may depend on how the destination server is configured to handle hostnames.
What is normal behavior?
After saving the DNS record:
- the change may not be visible immediately
- DNS propagation can take several minutes to several hours
- some networks may continue using cached DNS information temporarily
This behavior is expected.
Practical implications
Creating an A record only directs traffic to the destination server.
The destination server must also be configured to:
- accept requests for the subdomain
- serve the correct website or application
- provide an SSL certificate if HTTPS is required
Without server-side configuration, visitors may still see errors even if the DNS record is correct.
Summary
To point a subdomain to another server, create an A record in the DNS zone that contains the destination server’s IP address. Once DNS propagation is complete and the target server is configured correctly, the subdomain will direct visitors to the new location.