AWS Networking Fundamentals

Core Networking Services

Route 53 Demo

In this guide, you’ll learn how to register a domain name with AWS Route 53, explore your hosted zone, and create an A record to point your domain to a web server. By the end, you’ll understand how to leverage Route 53’s global DNS network for reliable name resolution.

Prerequisites

  • An active AWS account with Route 53 permissions
  • A public IPv4 address for your web server
  • Basic knowledge of DNS concepts

1. Register a Domain Name

  1. Sign in to the AWS Management Console and navigate to Route 53.

  2. In the left pane, select Registered domains and click Register domains.
    The image shows the AWS Route 53 console interface, specifically the "Registered domains" section, which currently displays no domains.

  3. Enter your desired domain (e.g., kodeklouddemo123.com) and click Check to verify availability.
    The image shows a domain search page on AWS, displaying the availability and pricing of the domain "kodeklouddemo123.com" and suggesting alternative domain options.

Warning

Make sure your chosen domain doesn’t infringe on trademarks or copyrights. Unauthorized use may result in legal issues.

  1. Select the domain and choose Proceed to checkout.
    The image shows a domain registration page on AWS Route 53, displaying pricing options for the domain "kodeklouddemo123.com" with auto-renew enabled for one year at $13.00 USD.

  2. Enable Auto-renewal (recommended) and confirm Privacy protection is on for all contacts.

  3. Provide registrant, admin, and tech contact information, review the terms, and click Submit.
    The image shows a contact information form for domain registration on Amazon Route 53, including registrant, admin, and tech contact details, with a section for terms and conditions. There is a "Submit" button at the bottom.

Note

AWS automatically creates a hosted zone when you register a domain. A small hosted zone fee applies in addition to the registration cost. See Route 53 Pricing.

  1. After AWS processes your request, you’ll receive a confirmation email. The new domain will appear under Registered domains.

2. View Domain Details

Click your domain in Registered domains to see:

  • Registration and expiration dates
  • Contact information
  • Assigned name servers
    The image shows the AWS Route 53 console displaying details for the domain "kodekloudemo123.com," including registration and expiration dates, contact information, and name servers.

3. Explore the Hosted Zone

  1. In the Route 53 dashboard, select Hosted zones.
  2. Click the hosted zone named after your domain (e.g., kodeklouddemo123.com).

Inside, you’ll find:

  • The four name servers assigned by AWS
  • Default DNS records created automatically
    The image shows an AWS Route 53 console displaying details of a hosted zone for the domain "kodeklouddemo123.com," including name servers and DNS records.

4. Create an A Record

An A record maps your domain (or subdomain) to an IPv4 address.

  1. In your hosted zone, click Create records.
  2. Select A – IPv4 address as the record type.
  3. For Record name, leave blank to map the root domain or enter a prefix (e.g., www).
  4. Under Value, enter your server’s public IPv4 address.
  5. Accept the default TTL and click Create records.
    The image shows an AWS Route 53 console screen where a user is creating a DNS record. The record type is set to "A" for routing traffic to an IPv4 address, with a specified IP address and TTL value.

Note

DNS updates typically propagate within 60 seconds. Use View status to verify when your record is INSYNC.

The image shows an AWS Route 53 dashboard displaying change info details for a hosted zone, with the status marked as "INSYNC."

5. Validate Your Setup

Once your A record is INSYNC, open a browser and navigate to:

https://kodeklouddemo123.com

You should see your web server’s default page.
The image shows a simple webpage with the text "This is kodeklouddemo123.com" centered on a white background.

Common DNS Record Types

Record TypeDescriptionExample
AMaps a domain to an IPv4 addressexample.com192.0.2.44
CNAMEPoints a name to another domainwww.example.comexample.com
MXSpecifies mail servers10 mail.example.com
TXTHolds text for SPF, DKIM, etc."v=spf1 include:amazonses.com ~all"

Summary

  • Register and manage domains in one place
  • Configure DNS records (A, CNAME, MX, TXT)
  • Benefit from AWS’s global DNS infrastructure

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