What is an RP Record? Manage Domain Contact Info

The RP record specifies the mailbox of the person responsible for the hostname. It is a type of DNS (Domain Name System) resource record, where the short RP stands for Responsible Person. It is mainly used for administrative purposes and helps in specifying the contact information of the individual or organization in charge of managing the domain's DNS.

The RP record has the following look in your ClouDNS Control Panel:

Why do you need an RP record?

The RP (Responsible Person) record is used primarily for administrative purposes and helps in identifying the person or organization responsible for managing a particular domain. Here are some reasons why an RP record may be useful:

• Administrative Contact: It helps establish a point of contact for administrative purposes related to the domain. It allows individuals or entities to reach the responsible person with inquiries, notifications, or issues related to the domain's DNS management.
• Accountability: By specifying a responsible person's contact information, the RP record ensures accountability for the domain. It helps to establish a clear chain of responsibility for the domain's management and allows others to reach out in case of any concerns.
• Compliance and Regulations: In some industries and regions, legal or regulatory requirements may exist for providing accurate contact information for domain ownership and management. The RP record is useful in fulfilling these needs by providing a specified contact point.
• Domain Transition: When a domain changes ownership or management, having an RP record can simplify the transition process. The new person responsible can update the RP record with their contact information, ensuring a smooth transfer of administrative responsibilities.

How to add RP record in ClouDNS?

Go to your Control Panel and click on “Add new record”. Type as follows:
Type: RP
TTL: 1 Hour
Host:
Points to: responsibleperson@example.com

TXT Record: It has to point to a hostname with a TXT record

How to start managing RP records in ClouDNS?

1. Open a Free account from here - it is free forever
2. Verify your e-mail address
3. Log in to your control panel
4. Create a new DNS zone from the CREATE ZONE button - read more here
5. Add the RP records you need as it is described in this article

How to add an RP record - Step by Step video:

How to check it?

You can manually check the RP record for a domain name by using one of the following commands:

If you are a Windows user, you can open the Command Prompt and check your RP record via Nslookup. Here is an example:

$ nslookup -type=RP domain.net

If you are a Linux/macOS user, you can open the Terminal and check your RP record via DIG. Here is an illustration:

$ dig domain.net RP

In case you prefer using an online tool, you can check your RP record with ClouDNS Free DNS tool.

Best Practices

When managing RP records, following best practices is essential to ensure efficient DNS administration. Here are some key practices:

• Accurate and Up-to-date Information: Ensure that the email address and domain name associated with the RP record are current and active.
• Privacy Considerations: A helpful practice is to use role-based email addresses (like admin@example.com) instead of personal emails. That way, you ensure the privacy of the responsible person's personal information and maintain continuity even if the responsible person changes.
• Security: Implement strong access controls to prevent unauthorized modifications to RP records.
• Backup Contacts: Maintain secondary contact information in your documentation to ensure availability if the primary person is unavailable.

SOA record vs RP record

In DNS management, the SOA (Start of Authority) record and RP (Responsible Person) record serve different purposes.

The SOA record is crucial as it defines the authoritative information about a DNS zone. It includes essential details such as the primary DNS server for the zone, the email of the zone administrator, and important settings like update intervals. This record establishes the authoritative source of DNS information for a domain.

On the other hand, the RP record is less commonly used. It specifies the email address of a responsible person for a specific host or domain. This record provides a way to identify who to contact for administrative or technical issues related to that domain.

While the SOA record is essential for DNS functionality and zone management, the RP record mainly helps identify the right contact for issues related to the domain.

FAQ

Question: Is the RP record mandatory for a domain?

Answer: No, the RP record is not mandatory. It is optional, and its usage depends on the specific needs and preferences of the domain owner.

Question: Can the RP record be used to verify domain ownership?

Answer: The RP record is not intended for domain ownership verification. It primarily serves as a means of contact for administrative purposes.

Question: Does the RP record affect email delivery or mail server configuration?

Answer: No, the RP record does not directly impact email delivery or mail server configuration. It primarily serves as a contact information reference and does not affect the technical aspects of email handling.