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1. Register the Domain in Davnode

Navigate to your Davnode dashboard and add your intended custom domain.

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2. Configure DNS Records

Access the DNS management console of your domain registrar (e.g., Cloudflare, Porkbun, Spaceship, Namecheap, GoDaddy, Dynadot).
Recommendation. For domain registration, we recommend Porkbun or Spaceship. For DNS management, we recommend Cloudflare.

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Step 2.1: Verify Domain Ownership

To activate your custom domain, you must prove ownership by adding a specific TXT record.
  1. Copy the unique verification token from your Davnode domain dashboard.
  2. Add the following record to your DNS provider:
DNS Zone file
TypeNameContentTTL
TXT@“PASTE_VALUE_FROM_DAVNODE_DASHBOARD”Auto

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Step 2.2: Add Service Records

Add the following records to configure email delivery, security protocols, and service discovery. Bulk Import Method (Recommended for Cloudflare users): You can copy the block below, save it as a dns.txt file, and import it directly into your Cloudflare DNS dashboard. 
@                  IN MX      10 mail.davnode.com.
ed._domainkey      IN CNAME   ed._domainkey.davnode.com.
rsa._domainkey     IN CNAME   rsa._domainkey.davnode.com.
mta-sts            IN CNAME   mail.davnode.com.
_mta-sts           IN CNAME   _mta-sts.davnode.com.
_smtp._tls         IN CNAME   _smtp._tls.davnode.com.
@                  IN TXT     "v=spf1 include:_spf.davnode.com ~all"
_dmarc             IN CNAME   _dmarc.davnode.com.
autoconfig         IN CNAME   mail.davnode.com.
autodiscover       IN CNAME   mail.davnode.com.
_caldavs._tcp      IN CNAME   _caldavs._tcp.davnode.com.
_carddavs._tcp     IN CNAME   _carddavs._tcp.davnode.com.
Important: Cloudflare Configuration. If you are using Cloudflare, you must disable the Proxy Status for all Davnode records. Ensure the cloud icon is set to DNS Only (Grey Cloud), not Proxied (Orange Cloud).

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3. Verify DNS Propagation

Once you have added the records, return to your Davnode dashboard. Click the Verify DNS button. The system will check for the propagated records.
Note: DNS propagation can take anywhere from a few minutes to 24 hours depending on your provider. If verification fails immediately, please wait a few minutes and try again.

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Understanding the @ in DNS Zone Files

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What Does @ Mean?

The @ symbol is simply a placeholder used in your DNS settings to stand for your entire domain name. It’s the easiest way to refer to the main address of your website. Think of it as a nickname for your primary domain.
If your website is mycustomdomain.com, putting @ in the Name field is the exact same thing as writing out mycustomdomain.com every time.

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Why Use the Shortcut?

  1. Saves Time: It’s faster to type @ than the full domain name.
  2. Keeps it Clean: It makes your configuration file much easier to read and manage.

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Practical Equivalence

Both of these records do the exact same job:
TypeNameMail serverTTLPriority
MX@mail.davnode.comAuto10
is the simple way of writing:
TypeNameMail serverTTLPriority
MXmycustomdomain.commail.davnode.comAuto10

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Appendix: DNS Record Reference

Below is a detailed explanation of the records configured in the previous step.

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MX Record (Mail Exchange)

Function: Routes incoming email. Directs the internet to deliver emails addressed to your domain to Davnode’s mail servers. DNS Zone file
TypeNameMail serverTTLPriority
MX@mail.davnode.comAuto10
Mail server
mail.davnode.com

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TXT Record (SPF)

Function: Sender Policy Framework (Anti-Spam). Authorizes Davnode’s servers to send email on your behalf, preventing your messages from being flagged as spam by receivers. DNS Zone file
TypeNameContentTTL
TXT@“v=spf1 include:_spf.davnode.com ~all”Auto
Content
"v=spf1 include:_spf.davnode.com ~all"

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CNAME (DMARC)

Function: Domain-based Message Authentication, Reporting, and Conformance. Instructs external email providers on how to handle emails that fail authentication (e.g., attempts to spoof your domain). DNS Zone file
TypeNameTargetTTL
CNAME_dmarc_dmarc.davnode.comAuto
_dmarc

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CNAME (DKIM)

Function: DomainKeys Identified Mail. Adds a cryptographic signature to your emails, allowing the receiver to verify that the email was actually sent by you and was not altered in transit. DNS Zone file
TypeNameTargetTTL
CNAMEed._domainkeyed._domainkey.davnode.comAuto
CNAMErsa._domainkeyrsa._domainkey.davnode.comAuto
ed._domainkey

rsa._domainkey

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CNAME (MTA-STS)

Function: Mail Transfer Agent Strict Transport Security. Enforces TLS encryption for incoming emails, ensuring that messages sent to you are secure while in transit. DNS Zone file
TypeNameTargetTTL
CNAMEmta-stsmail.davnode.comAuto
CNAME_mta-sts_mta-sts.davnode.comAuto
CNAME_smtp._tls_smtp._tls.davnode.comAuto
mta-sts

_mta-sts

_smtp._tls

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CNAME (Autodiscover)

Function: Client Auto-Configuration. Allows email clients (Outlook, Apple Mail, Thunderbird) to automatically detect server settings, requiring only your email and password for setup. DNS Zone file
TypeNameTargetTTL
CNAMEautoconfigmail.davnode.comAuto
CNAMEautodiscovermail.davnode.comAuto
autoconfig

autodiscover

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CNAME (DAVs)

Function: Service Discovery. Enables automatic discovery for Calendar (CalDAV) and Contact (CardDAV) synchronization across devices. DNS Zone file
TypeNameTargetTTL
CNAME_caldavs._tcp_caldavs._tcp.davnode.comAuto
CNAME_carddavs._tcp_carddavs._tcp.davnode.comAuto
_caldavs._tcp

_carddavs._tcp