What is Domain Name System?

The domain name system can be compared to a phonebook directory that stores domain names and translates them to IP (Internet Protocol) addresses. Without a DNS the internet would be unable to function.

A domain name server mapped the computer readable information into a piece of human–readable information. This was necessary as an IP address consists of a complex string of numbers that are difficult to remember.

So, when you type in a web address in your internet browser the DNS translates it into machine friend IP address and directs you to the correct website. Furthermore, all the domain name servers across the internet are together housed at the central registry. So, to get the updated DNS information host companies and service providers must constantly interact with the central registry.

To Top it off:

It takes 12-36 hours for the domain name server to be updated worldwide. This period is also known as propagation.

How Does Domain Name Server work?

This is a shout out to all the domain owners if they want to understand how a Domain Name Server works.

Let’s get started

The internet is a large network of computers around the world. DNS is a hierarchical system that fetches data with the help of DNS servers. For example, when people visit your domain name the DNS determines that server.

Let us first understand how the hierarchy works to produce a website to your screen. But before that, you need a basic understanding of elements that comprise a domain name.

Top Level Domain (TLD)

A TLD is the last part of a domain name for example .com. The most common used TLDs are .com, .net, .eu, .org, .ae etc. In the hierarchy, TLDs are at the top with regards to the domain names.

Second Level Domain

It is that part of a domain name that comes before a TLD. This is the name of your website.

Third Level Domain

This is also known as a subdomain. Anything that appears before the second level domain for e.g. www. But this can take many forms e.g. kb.buzinessware.com

Domain Name Register

Domain name register manages domain name reservations. ICANN grants permission to organizations to act as domain name registrars for certain higher-level domains.

Name Server

A name server consists of domain names matched to IP addresses.

Let us now look at how the domain name server works.

When a user types a domain name into the browser, the DNS client will look for information in a local cache. If a requested address isn’t there, then it will look for a Domain Name Systems severe in the local area network (LAN). When the local DNS server receives a query and when the requested domain name is found it will show you the result on your screen.

As we know when a domain is not found the local server will look for information in a DNS cache which contains temporary DNS records. DNS cache servers are called not authoritative DNS server as provide request resolution based acquired from authoritative DNS server.

An Authoritative Top-Level Domain Name Server provides a list of authoritative name servers for all domains. Its primary job is to look for name servers and return the authoritative name server for the requested domain.

To sum up

Thanks to the DNS server we can enjoy human-readable names to access websites. Though computers do need IP addresses also to access websites. With the help of a DNS, we don’t need an address directory to store all the IP addresses.

Remember:

When we use a domain name, the DNS service locates the website and translates the name into an IP address. Moreover, without a Domain Name Server internet wouldn’t be accessible or user-friendly.

Now join Buzinessware and enjoy access to various new extensions and the most relevant and meaningful names for your start-up. Also, manage your domain name which will connect quickly and reliably to your website.