The Responsible Person’s Email Address (RNAME) is a field found in the Start of Authority (SOA) record of a Domain Name System (DNS) zone. This field specifies the email address of the individual or entity responsible for managing the DNS zone. The RNAME is typically written in a specific format: “username.example.com,” where “username” represents the contact person’s username, and “example.com” represents the domain name associated with the email address.
Here’s how the RNAME field is structured and its significance:
- Username: This part of the RNAME specifies the username of the responsible person or administrator overseeing the DNS zone. For example, if John Smith is the responsible person, the username might be “john.”
- @ Symbol: The “@” symbol is used to separate the username from the domain name in the email address.
- Domain Name: This part of the RNAME specifies the domain name associated with the email address. It typically matches the domain of the DNS zone being managed. For example, if the DNS zone is “example.com,” the domain name in the RNAME might also be “example.com.”
For example, an RNAME entry in an SOA record might look like this:
RNAME: john.example.comThe RNAME field serves an administrative role and is primarily used for contact information. It provides a way for others to reach out to the responsible person in case of DNS-related issues or inquiries. It’s important to keep the RNAME up to date to ensure effective communication and coordination regarding the DNS zone.
In DNS management, the RNAME field is one of several parameters within the SOA record that helps maintain and organize DNS zones, making it easier to contact the responsible parties when needed.