If you’re adding a subdomain that’s part of a wildcard DNS setup that has A records pointed to multiple IP addresses, you’ll need to take a few extra steps to point that subdomain to Kinsta. This isn’t a common setup, and the steps below are only applicable when a wildcard (catch-all) subdomain is pointed to multiple A records.
If your domain does not use wildcard A records pointed to multiple IP addresses, you don’t have to go through these additional steps when adding a domain to your site.
To set up a wildcard subdomain that’s pointed to Kinsta, an additional wildcard subdomain (*.example.com) is automatically added when you add a root/apex domain (domain.com) to a site in MyKinsta (unless you deselect the wildcard option under Advanced Options).
What Is a Multiple IP Wildcard Subdomain?
First, let’s define what it means for a wildcard subdomain to be pointed to multiple IP addresses. In most cases, a wildcard subdomain will have a single A record pointing to an IP address:
- A record for *.example.com pointing to 123.123.123.123.
However, in some cases, a wildcard subdomain may point to multiple IP addresses. This kind of configuration is commonly used for DNS failover protection, round-robin setups, and more:
- A record for *.example.com pointing to 123.123.123.123.
- A record for *.example.com pointing to 123.123.123.124.
- A record for *.example.com pointing to 123.123.123.125.
- A record for *.example.com pointing to 123.123.123.126.
If you’re unsure whether your wildcard subdomain is pointing to multiple IP addresses, you can use a tool like WhatsMyDNS to check the A record(s) for the subdomain you want to point to Kinsta. In the screenshot below, you can see that the subdomain sub.kinstaexample.com is pointing to multiple IP addresses.
Next, you’ll need to check whether the DNS records pointing to multiple IP addresses are set up as static (e.g. sub.kinstaexample.com) or wildcard (*.kinstaexample.com) A records. If your DNS configuration looks similar to the one below (wildcard A records), you’ll need to proceed with the rest of this tutorial.
Adding a Multiple IP Subdomain in MyKinsta
If we detect that your subdomain is configured with multiple A records, you’ll see a message like the one below after adding the subdomain in MyKinsta:
Step 1 – Point Your Subdomain to Existing Wildcard IPs
If the subdomain you’re adding to MyKinsta is already hosted elsewhere, you’ll need to create A records for that specific subdomain. These A records should point to the same IP addresses as your wildcard A records. If this is a new subdomain that isn’t currently hosted anywhere else, you can skip this step.
This step is only needed to keep the subdomain working and resolving properly at another host until it’s verified and can be pointed to Kinsta.
For example, if you’re trying to configure sub.kinstaexample.com and have the wildcard A records below:
- A record for *.kinstaexample.com pointing to 123.123.123.123.
- A record for *.kinstaexample.com pointing to 123.123.123.124.
- A record for *.kinstaexample.com pointing to 123.123.123.125.
- A record for *.kinstaexample.com pointing to 123.123.123.126.
You should add the four A records below to sub.kinstaexample.com at your DNS provider.
- A record for sub.kinstaexample.com pointing to 123.123.123.123.
- A record for sub.kinstaexample.com pointing to 123.123.123.124.
- A record for sub.kinstaexample.com pointing to 123.123.123.125.
- A record for sub.kinstaexample.com pointing to 123.123.123.126.
Step 2 – Verify Your Subdomain
After you’ve added the A records, go to MyKinsta and click the Next button in the Verify Domain modal/pop-up.
You’ll be prompted to add one or more TXT records to verify ownership of your subdomain. The TXT record is formatted like the following:
- Type: TXT
- Hostname: _cf-custom-hostname.your-subdomain
- Value: Unique UUID string.
Next, add this TXT record to your subdomain at your DNS provider.
After adding the TXT record, click Ok, I’ve Done It in MyKinsta.
Step 3 – Point Your Subdomain to Kinsta
MyKinsta will start the verification process for your subdomain. Depending on your DNS provider, this process may take a while due to DNS propagation. Once the verification has finished, you’ll see a Point domain button in MyKinsta.
Click the Point domain button, and you’ll see your Kinsta Site IP address.
Next, go to your DNS provider and remove the A records for your subdomain that you added earlier.
Finally, add an A record for your subdomain pointing to your Kinsta Site IP address.
After setting up this A record, and after DNS has propagated, you’ll see a checkmark next to your subdomain in MyKinsta. This means the subdomain has been set up successfully.
Summary
By default, subdomains pointing to multiple IP addresses via wildcard A records are not immediately compatible with Kinsta’s Cloudflare integration. However, with a few additional configuration steps, you’ll be able to get your subdomain verified and pointed to Kinsta.
If you have any questions about your multiple IP subdomain setup, reach out to our 24/7 support team for further assistance.