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This guide walks you through configuring a wildcard subdomain (*.yourdomain.com) for dynamic subdomain routing, essential for concord SaaS. It supports any DNS provider, web hosting control panels (VirtuAdmin, CloudPanel, etc.), and custom-managed servers.


✅ Prerequisites

Before you begin, ensure the following:

  • Your primary domain (e.g., yourdomain.com) is pointing to your server.

  • You have access to DNS records (via registrar, DNS host, or control panel).

  • You have access to web server configuration (e.g., Nginx/Apache via panel or SSH).

  • You have an option to install an SSL certificate, ideally wildcard.


🔁 Step 1: Add a Wildcard DNS Record

Create a wildcard DNS record that points all subdomains to your server.

🔸 For Any DNS Provider:

  1. Login to your DNS management dashboard (e.g., GoDaddy, Cloudflare, Namecheap).

  2. Add a new A record:

    • Type: A

    • Name: * or *.yourdomain.com (provider-specific)

    • Value: Your server's IP address

    • TTL: Auto or 300 seconds

📌 If you're using CNAME flattening (e.g., Cloudflare + external origin), use CNAME instead and point to your main domain.


🌐 Step 2: Configure Web Server to Accept Wildcard Subdomains

Depending on your setup, you’ll configure Apache or Nginx to accept any subdomain.

🛠️ Apache (Generic or via Control Panel)

Ensure your virtual host file includes:

ServerAlias *.yourdomain.com

If you're using a control panel (CloudPanel, VirtuAdmin, Plesk):

  • Go to the domain’s web settings

  • Find the ServerAlias or Subdomain Settings

  • Add *.yourdomain.com

Restart Apache:

sudo service apache2 restart

🛠️ Nginx (Generic or via Control Panel)

Ensure the server_name block includes:

server_name .yourdomain.com;

Use .yourdomain.com to catch all subdomains (equivalent to *.).

Restart Nginx:

sudo service nginx reload

🔐 Step 3: Install a Wildcard SSL Certificate

Wildcard subdomains require a wildcard SSL cert, validated using a DNS-01 challenge.

Use a tool like Certbot:

sudo certbot certonly --manual \
  --preferred-challenges=dns \
  -d "*.yourdomain.com" -d yourdomain.com

Follow instructions to add a TXT record for DNS verification.

Or use your control panel's Let's Encrypt integration (VirtuAdmin, Plesk, CloudPanel):

  • Choose "Wildcard SSL"

  • Complete DNS challenge (add TXT record)

  • Install the cert for your domain


✅ You're Done!

You’ve now set up wildcard subdomains ready for concord SaaS. New tenants can instantly access their dashboard at clientname.yourdomain.com without any manual DNS or virtual host edits.

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