Reverse DNS (PTR) of VPS and dedicated servers

Reverse DNS (PTR record) maps an IP address to a host name: it answers the question "what is the name of 192.0.2.10?". It matters most for a mail server: most mail servers check the PTR of the IP address that sends them e-mail.

The reverse zones of YorkHost IP addresses are managed by YorkHost: you change the PTR of your IP addresses (IPv4 and IPv6) from the client area, even if your domains are managed elsewhere.

Where to change it

• Manage → DNS & rDNS, Reverse DNS tab (or the Manage rDNS button of the overview): all the IP addresses of your VPS and dedicated servers, grouped by service. The Service selector shows one service only or All my IPs.
• From the page of a VPS or dedicated server: Reverse DNS (rDNS) opens the IP addresses of that service directly. Back to the service takes you back to its page.

For each IP address, the table shows IP address, Current PTR, Status and New name.

Status	Meaning
Up to date	The published PTR matches the saved value.
Pending	The saved value is not published in the reverse zone yet (the row shows "Saved value: …").
No zone	No YorkHost reverse zone covers this address: contact support to change its reverse DNS.
Error	The PTR could not be read (DNS service temporarily unavailable): try again later.

Change the PTR of an IP address

1. In the New name column, enter a fully qualified host name (FQDN), for example mail.example.com.
2. Click Save. The message "Reverse DNS of 192.0.2.10: mail.example.com." confirms the change.

The name must be a full name with at least two parts (server.example.com, not server), without _ or *. Otherwise: "Invalid host name: enter a fully qualified name, for example mail.example.com."

Mail server: forward-confirmed reverse DNS

For a mail server, the PTR name must also resolve to the same IP address (A record for IPv4, AAAA for IPv6): this is the "forward-confirmed reverse DNS" checked by most mail servers. In this order:

1. Create the A (or AAAA) record mail.example.com → 192.0.2.10 in the zone of your domain (at YorkHost: zone editor, or at your DNS provider).
2. Wait until it answers: dig mail.example.com A +short must return 192.0.2.10.
3. Set the PTR mail.example.com on 192.0.2.10.

If the name does not resolve (yet) to the IP address, YorkHost warns you: "Warning: this name does not resolve (yet) to this IP address. Add the matching A or AAAA record, otherwise some mail servers will reject your e-mails." The name can also be refused: "This name does not resolve to the IP address: create the matching A or AAAA record first."

The same name everywhere

For a mail server, use the same name for the PTR, the A / AAAA record and the name announced by the server (HELO / EHLO, Postfix myhostname for example). Also set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC for the domain: see SPF, DKIM and DMARC.

Back to the default value

The Reset button restores the default name provided by YorkHost. A confirmation shows the value that will be applied: "Reset the reverse DNS of … to the default value (…)?". Useful when you give an IP address another use or no longer want a custom name.

Delay and checking

The change is immediate on the YorkHost servers. Resolvers that cached the old value keep it until its TTL expires (usually one hour).

Check with dig -x (Linux, macOS):

dig -x 192.0.2.10 +short
dig -x 2001:db8::10 +short

To bypass the cache of your usual resolver, ask another one:

dig -x 192.0.2.10 @1.1.1.1 +short

On Windows: nslookup 192.0.2.10.

Several IP addresses at once

To change many IP addresses (IP block of a dedicated server, several VPS…), use the Bulk changes card of the same page: see Bulk rDNS. Reverse DNS can also be driven through the API and MCP.

The PTR does not change? See FAQ and troubleshooting.