How do you point a custom domain at your game server? Use Vaelix’s free built-in Subdomains tab for a name.vaelix.cloud address with the SRV record handled automatically, or bring your own domain by adding an A record pointing at your server’s IP and, for Minecraft or Rust (the only two Vaelix-hosted games with SRV support), an SRV record so players can skip the port.
What SRV records do for a game server
A raw IP with a port works, but it’s hard to remember and breaks if your server ever moves. A hostname fixes the remembering part. An SRV record is what lets players skip typing the port too, it tells the game client which port a hostname actually points to behind the scenes.
Which games actually support SRV records
SRV support is rare, but two games Vaelix hosts do read one. Minecraft: Java Edition does a _minecraft._tcp lookup before connecting, so a hostname alone is enough.
Minecraft: Bedrock Edition does not support SRV, despite being the same game. Bedrock players still need the exact IP:Port, even on a server set up for Java players.
Rust supports it too, using a _rust._udp service instead. One catch: Rust only allows one SRV entry per server, duplicates break it.
Every other supported title, ARK, CS2, CS:S, Valheim, Palworld, Project Zomboid, and the rest, connects the same way regardless of DNS: IP:Port, always. A custom domain still makes a nicer address to hand out, players just can’t drop the port from it.
Use Vaelix’s built-in Subdomains tab
Every Vaelix server includes a free subdomain, no separate domain purchase needed. Open your panel and go to the Subdomains tab, then click Edit Subdomain.
Type a Name and hit Save changes. It becomes name.vaelix.cloud, automatically pointed at your server’s IP and port, SRV record included.
Tip: Only Minecraft: Java Edition and Rust benefit from the SRV record this creates. Every other game still needs the exact IP:Port, subdomain or not.
Bring your own domain: point an A record at your server
Already have a domain, or want one just for your server? Register one through any registrar (Namecheap or Cloudflare, for example) if you don’t already have one, then open its DNS settings.
Add an A record for the hostname you want, play.yourdomain.com for example, pointing at your server’s IP address. Find that IP in your panel’s Network tab.
DNS record: A
Type A
Host play
Value <your server IP>
TTL AutomaticAdd the SRV record so players skip the port
The A record handles the IP, but players still need the port. An SRV record does what the built-in subdomain does automatically, mapping your hostname to the exact port. The service name depends on the game, here are the two Vaelix hosts that support it.
SRV record example: Minecraft
Use the _minecraft._tcp service, pointed at the A record hostname you just created.
DNS record: SRV (Minecraft)
Type SRV
Service _minecraft
Protocol _tcp
Name play (or @ for the root domain)
Priority 0
Weight 5
Port <your server port>
Target play.yourdomain.comTip: DNS changes can take a few minutes to a couple hours to fully propagate.
SRV record example: Rust
Rust uses _rust._udp instead of Minecraft’s service name. Create only one SRV entry per server, a duplicate breaks the lookup.
Also set the server.favoritesEndpoint convar to your plain domain (not the _rust._udp record), so players keep the server on their favorites list even if its IP or port changes later.
DNS record: SRV (Rust)
Type SRV
Service _rust
Protocol _udp
Name play (or @ for the root domain)
Priority 0
Weight 5
Port <your server port>
Target play.yourdomain.comFrequently asked questions
Do all games support SRV records?
No. Of the games Vaelix hosts, only Minecraft: Java Edition and Rust do. Bedrock does not, and every other game needs the exact IP and port.
Do I need to buy a domain to avoid typing the port?
No. Every Vaelix server includes a free name.vaelix.cloud subdomain from the Subdomains tab, with the SRV record set up automatically.
How long do DNS changes take?
A few minutes to a couple of hours to fully propagate.