Apex Alias allows a domain to point to another hostname. HOST_ALIAS is an account feature that only affects where Apex Alias can be used, not whether it exists.
What Apex Alias Does
Apex Alias lets a domain point to another hostname, similar to a CNAME at the root. It can be created and used directly in UltraDNS.
What HOST_ALIAS Does
HOST_ALIAS is an account-level feature that controls where Apex Alias can be created.
How They Work Together
- Apex Alias at the zone apex (for example,
example.com) works without HOST_ALIAS - Apex Alias at non-apex levels (for example,
child.example.com) requires HOST_ALIAS
If you attempt to create an Apex Alias at a non-apex level using BIND import or API and HOST_ALIAS is not enabled, the record will not be created.
This applies to any method that attempts to create non-apex Apex Alias records, including API and BIND import. Apex-level records are not affected.
HOST_ALIAS is not enabled by default on new accounts. It must be requested and enabled on a case-by-case basis.
Important Notes
- Apex Alias can exist without HOST_ALIAS
- HOST_ALIAS is only required for non-apex usage
- BIND import may ignore unsupported entries without error