Revolutionizing Application Access: ContentQLโs New DNS Mapping with Reverse Proxy ๐โจ๐
After weeks of focused effort and testing, weโre thrilled to announce a major step forward in DNS mapping for applications deployed via Railway.app. This new feature is still in its early stages, but the majority of our tests have shown excellent results. Weโre confident itโs ready for you to test, and weโre inviting everyone to start using it now. This blog post explains the milestone weโve achieved, what it means for your applications, and how you can be a part of this transformative change. ๐โ ๐ข
Whatโs the Big News? ๐ฐ๐๐
ContentQLโs DNS management system now allows any application deployed on Railway to be accessed through custom subdomains under the ContentQL domain. This marks a significant upgrade in how we manage, brand, and secure our deployed applications. ๐๐๐ป
Letโs take an example:
Generated Railway Domain: https://qualified-beige-bass-production.up.railway.app
Mapped ContentQL Domain: https://qualified-beige-bass-production.contentql.io
By replacing the up.railway.app portion with contentql.io, you can now access the same application, whether itโs a new deployment or an older one. This seamless mapping enhances user experience and aligns applications with ContentQLโs branding. โจ๐ฏ๐
Reverse Proxy: The Magic Behind the Curtain ๐ช๐๐
To fully appreciate the significance of this change, itโs important to understand the concept of a reverse proxy. ๐ง ๐โ๏ธ
A reverse proxy acts as a middleman between the client (your browser or application) and the backend server (your deployed application). It intercepts user requests, forwards them to the server, and then sends the serverโs response back to the client. ๐๐๐ก
How Reverse Proxy Benefits ContentQLโs DNS Mapping:
Custom Domain Mapping: Transforms generic Railway-provided domains into branded ContentQL subdomains.
Improved Branding: Every application deployed through Railway is now part of ContentQLโs ecosystem, reinforcing our identity.
Centralized Management: Simplifies DNS tracking and troubleshooting.
Enhanced Security: Hides backend server details, reducing exposure to potential threats.
Scalability: Enables better load distribution and application performance.
What Does This Mean for You? ๐ค๐ก๐
A New Way to Access Applications
Previously, applications deployed on Railway could only be accessed via the default Railway-generated domain. Now, with our DNS mapping, you can use ContentQL-branded URLs instead. ๐๐ฅ๏ธ๐
For example:
Old Domain: https://qualified-beige-bass-production.up.railway.app
New Domain: https://qualified-beige-bass-production.contentql.io
This feature applies to all applications hosted on Railway, regardless of whether they are new deployments or older projects. โ ๐โจ
Better User Experience and Debugging
By shifting to .contentql.io subdomains:
Weโre providing a consistent, branded experience for users.
Itโs easier for our team to identify and resolve issues across projects. ๐ ๏ธ๐ง๐
What You Need to Do ๐๐๐ช
1. Start Using ContentQL Subdomains
From now on, please stop using .up.railway.app domains to access your projects. Instead, use the corresponding .contentql.io subdomains. ๐๐๐
2. Test Your Applications
Start testing your applications with the new subdomains. This includes:
Verifying core functionality (e.g., APIs, UI rendering).
Checking integrations and ensuring no environment-specific configurations break.
Running tests across different devices and browsers. ๐ป๐ฑ๐
3. Report Any Issues
If you encounter any problems while using the new domains, donโt hesitate to reach out. Identifying and resolving bugs during this phase is critical for ensuring a smooth transition for everyone. ๐๐๐ฃ
4. Set PUBLIC_URL to Railway Domains
Remember: The PUBLIC_URL (type of) environment variable should always point to the original Railway URL (e.g., https://qualified-beige-bass-production.up.railway.app). This ensures that internal routing and backend processes function correctly. โ๏ธ๐โ
Why This Matters ๐ฏ๐๐ผ
This isnโt just about switching URLs; itโs about elevating the way we manage and present applications. Hereโs why this change is a big deal:
Consistency: All applications are unified under the ContentQL brand, improving user trust and recognition.
Scalability: The reverse proxy setup prepares us for handling larger workloads and more applications efficiently.
Security: By using a reverse proxy, backend server details remain hidden, reducing vulnerabilities.
Flexibility: Whether itโs a new deployment or an older project, the DNS mapping works seamlessly. ๐๐๐
Whatโs Next? ๐ ๏ธ๐๐
Full Adoption: Weโre encouraging everyone to adopt the new .contentql.io subdomains for their projects.
Feedback Loop: Your feedback is essential! Let us know about any issues or improvements youโd like to see.
Scaling Up: Once the system has been thoroughly tested, weโll roll it out as the default access method for all ContentQL applications. ๐๐๐
Final Thoughts ๐ญ๐๐
This milestone marks a significant leap forward in how we manage, scale, and secure applications within the ContentQL ecosystem. The adoption of reverse proxy technology and DNS mapping reinforces our commitment to providing a robust and user-friendly platform for everyone. ๐๐ช๐
Letโs work together to refine this system further. Start testing your applications today, and donโt forget to share your feedback. Together, weโre building something truly remarkable. ๐โจ๐
Ready to dive in? Access your applications via .contentql.io now! ๐๐ปโ