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DNS A-Record configuration
Nginx server_name setup
Propagation verification via terminal

Connect your domain

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Overview

About this plan

What's inside: Step-by-step DNS record configuration, Nginx domain mapping, and propagation diagnostics.

Retrieve your AWS IP, map A-Records at your registrar, update your Nginx server_name, and verify global routing via diagnostics.

Outcome

The Goal

Bridge the Gap: Your app is live at a numbered IP; your domain is parked at a registrar. This stage builds the bridge between them so that typing `yourdomain.com` actually pulls data from your AWS server.

Professional Networking: Replace "hobbyist" IP links with "production" URLs. We set up your infrastructure so that both the root domain and the `www` subdomain work perfectly, ensuring no user gets a "Site Not Found" error.

Master the Nginx Handshake: It’s not enough to point the domain to the IP; the server must know to "catch" it. We configure Nginx to recognize your specific domain, a critical step for professional server management.

Audience

Who This Is For

You're Ready to Share Your Work ProfessionallyYou cannot send an IP address to a hiring manager or an investor. This stage gives you the professional URL required for a high-end portfolio or a public launch.
You Want to Understand Web InfrastructureTyping a URL seems simple, but the routing is complex. This stage demystifies the path from Name Registrar to Server IP, giving you a fundamental skill used in all DevOps roles.
Your Site Loads on IP but Fails on DomainThis is the most common "Final Mile" bug. We walk you through the Nginx and DNS layers to fix the disconnect and get your domain responding correctly.

Applications

Best Use Cases

Students Launching Production Portfolios

Prove you can ship a complete product. A live domain is the ultimate proof that you understand the full-stack - from code and databases to DNS and server routing.

Founders Launching an MVP

First impressions matter. Use this to ensure your startup’s domain is the "Source of Truth" for your brand, providing a reliable home for your first users.

Developers Testing Multi-App Servers

Learn how to use Nginx to host multiple domains on a single AWS server. Once you master `server_name` routing, you can host 5 apps on 1 server to save costs.

Methodology

Why This Approach

Verification First: Most guides tell you to "wait 24 hours." We don't like waiting. We use `nslookup` so you can see the exact second your domain goes live.
Nginx Synchronization: Many beginners forget to tell Nginx which domain to look for. We include the `server_name` update as a standard step, preventing the most common "404 Not Found" errors.
Standardized "Root + WWW": We ensure both versions of your domain work. This is a "Senior Dev" detail that amateurs often miss, leading to a broken user experience.
Full-Path Understanding: We teach the "End-to-End" path. You won't just be clicking buttons; you'll understand why the A-Record at your registrar must match the listener in your Nginx config.

Next Steps

What's next?

Your domain is connected but it still says "Not Secure." Next, you move to Stage 13: SSL & HTTPS Configuration to get the padlock icon and encrypt your user traffic with Let's Encrypt.

Quick Info

Cost1 credit

These DNS principles are universal. Whether you use Namecheap, GoDaddy, or Cloudflare, the A-Record and Nginx steps remain the same.

Process

How it works

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Step 1: IP Synchronization. We verify your AWS Elastic IP is active and the app is responding. We never touch DNS until we know the server is healthy.

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Step 2: A-Record Mapping. You’ll configure A-Records at your registrar (Namecheap, Cloudflare, etc.). We map both `@` and `www` to your AWS IP to ensure 100% reachability.

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Step 3: Propagation Diagnostics. Using `nslookup`, we track the "ripple effect" of your DNS changes across the globe. You’ll see exactly when your domain is live in New York, London, and Tokyo.

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Step 4: Nginx Server_Name update. We update your Ubuntu server’s Nginx configuration to explicitly listen for your domain. This is the final internal "routing" step.

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Deliverables

What you'll get

You walk away with a professionally routed application. When a user types your domain, the request is directed by global DNS servers to your AWS IP. Your Nginx server then "catches" that request because it has been configured to recognize your domain name specifically. This end-to-end routing is how every professional site on the web functions. You’ve moved from a standalone server to a fully integrated web presence.

Active Domain Resolution: Your URL successfully loads your app. Type the name, hit enter, see the code. It’s officially a real website.
Hardened Nginx Configuration: A professional `server_name` setup that tells your server exactly which web traffic belongs to which application.
DNS Literacy: A working knowledge of A-Records and the "Phonebook of the Internet." You’ll understand how requests travel from a browser to your specific data center.
Global Reachability: Both `yourdomain.com` and `www.yourdomain.com` are configured, preventing the common "half-broken" setup where only one version works.
Troubleshooting Diagnostics: The ability to use terminal tools like `nslookup` and `dig` to verify internet routing independent of a browser.

Prerequisites

Before you begin

Cost

FREE (Included in your domain/AWS setup)

Time

20 minutes + propagation wait

Requirement

A live AWS EC2 IP and access to your Domain Registrar account.

DNS propagation is out of our control and can take anywhere from 5 to 60 minutes. Have a coffee ready!

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