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Reusing Domains

Updated May 05, 2024 ·

Overview​

You can use the same domain for your real website and for labs, as long as you keep DNS records organized.

Using subdomains for labs​

You don’t need to use the root domain for everything. Subdomains are safer and easier to manage.

Examples:

  • aws-lab.randomdomainforsite.co
  • traefik-test.randomdomainforsite.co
  • test1.randomdomainforsite.co

Each subdomain has its own DNS records, so changes won’t affect your main site

  • You can point different subdomains to different locations (AWS, local IP, production server)
  • DNS managers like Cloudflare let you add or remove records without impacting others

Tip: Never change the root domain’s A/AAAA/CNAME unless you want to move your main site. Many labs only require TXT records, which don’t affect your site.

Common workflow:

  1. Buy a domain
  2. Point nameservers to Cloudflare
  3. Manage subdomains in Cloudflare
  4. Use subdomains for all labs

Reusing Root Domains​

If a lab requires the root domain, changes will affect where your main site points, so be careful.

If the root domain is not hosting a site

  • You can freely change root DNS records for labs
  • Restore the original records when finished

If the root domain has a live site

  • Risky, because DNS changes could break your site

  • Options:

    • Temporary changes during off-hours, then restore
    • Buy a cheap second domain just for root-domain labs
    • Try a wildcard subdomain (*.example.com) if the lab allows

Why some labs require the root domain

  • Certain tools (AWS Certificate Manager, Let’s Encrypt DNS-01) validate the naked domain
  • Often, only TXT records are needed, so your site can stay online while doing the lab

Practical tips for test domains​

Since it’s for labs only, you can freely switch nameservers whenever needed.

  • Keep records of old DNS settings in case they need to be restored.
  • Expect DNS propagation delays when switching
  • Sometimes it’s almost instant, sometimes you wait a few hours.

Best practices​

  • Keep your main site on www.example.com
  • Leave the root (example.com) free for labs
  • This way, root DNS changes won’t take your main site down
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