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Understand the difference between domain Synonym and Alias
This guide explains the difference between the terms synonym and alias in the context of the Domain Name service offered by Infomaniak.
Domain synonym / domain alias
Domain names referred to as synonyms (i.e., domains that are entirely dependent on the main domain, without their own DNS configuration) and aliases (independent domains, with their own DNS configuration) can both serve as secondary domains associated with a main domain.
For example, the domains apple.xyz (alias) and banana.xyz (synonym) can redirect to a common main domain such as fruits.xyz.
Here is the technical distinction to remember:
- The synonym (also called a « linked domain » or « DNS mirror ») directly uses the DNS servers of the main domain. It has no DNS zone of its own.
- The alias (also called « autonomous redirected domain » or « DNS alias ») has its own DNS records (independent DNS zone), even though it points to the same hosting or services.
| apple.xyz (domain alias – with custom DNS) ns1.personnalisable.ch ns2.personnalisable.ch | ⇢ | Own DNS zone A records, MX records, etc. | Web Hosting Email Service |
| fruits.xyz (domain main) ns1.infomaniak.ch ns2.infomaniak.ch | } | Own DNS zone A records, MX records, etc. | |
| banane.xyz (domain alias – without its own DNS Automatically retrieves the DNS of the primary domain (fruits.xyz) |
Learn more
- How to add a domain as an alias
- How to unlink an alias domain
- Understand the difference between domains and DNS zones
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