The Ultimate Guide to DNS, Explained for Beginners

Blog Introduction: Most of us rely heavily on the internet to go about our daily lives, but do you know how it all works? One of the essential components of the internet is DNS – Domain Name System. From browsing websites to sending emails, DNS plays a crucial role in ensuring that we get connected to the right location on the web. In this guide, we’re going to explore everything you need to know about DNS, from its definition to how it works and why it’s important.

What is DNS?

DNS, or Domain Name System, is essentially like the telephone directory of the internet. It translates human-readable domain names, like www.google.com, into the machine-readable IP addresses, which computers use to communicate with each other. This translation process makes it possible for us to connect to the right server and retrieve the correct information from a website. DNS operates as a distributed database, which means that it has various servers located all around the world. It’s important to note that DNS is not a web hosting service or an internet service provider, but a system that translates domain names into IP addresses.

Why use DNS?

One of the key reasons we use DNS is that it makes our lives a lot easier. Imagine having to remember sequences of numbers instead of human-readable domain names with your web surfing. DNS enables us to use domain names because it simplifies the process of browsing the internet. It also allows us to access sites without the need for remembering specific IP addresses and helps prevent us from accessing phishing or malicious websites that can be dangerous for our devices. DNS is also useful for content distribution networks, caching, and load balancing across multiple servers.

Why is DNS important?

DNS is essential to the internet because it enables users to access websites and services quickly, reliably and securely. Without DNS, it would be impossible for us to reach the websites we’re trying to access, and devices on the internet would be unable to communicate with each other. It also enables businesses to have an online presence that’s accessible to people all around the world. DNS also plays a crucial role in security and privacy concerns. DNS providers can help prevent malicious activities such as phishing attacks, spyware infections, and other types of internet threats by blocking malicious websites.

How does it work?

When you type in a domain name in your browser, the DNS resolver in your device queries its DNS server to locate the IP address of the server that hosts the website that you’re trying to access. The recursive resolution process involves multiple DNS servers that are responsible for specific domains. After the IP address is obtained, your device establishes a connection with the remote server, and you can then access the website.

Examples

You may not realize it, but you use DNS every time you use the internet. Whether you are browsing social media, checking your email, or watching videos on YouTube, DNS is in play. For example, when you use the domain name of ‘www.facebook.com,’ your device performs a DNS query to obtain its IP address, so you can be redirected to the correct server. This same process happens for all websites.

Common Questions and answers

How can I check my DNS records?

Ans: There are many tools available online that allow you to check DNS records. You can use websites like MX ToolBox, NameCheap or any other domain registrar that provides DNS management.

What happens when a DNS server goes down?

Ans: If a DNS server goes down, it can cause services to become unavailable as users will be unable to resolve domain names. However, many DNS servers are available globally to prevent complete failure of the system.

Can I use public DNS instead?

Ans: Yes, you can use public DNS instead of your ISP’s DNS servers. There are several public DNS providers like Google, Cloudflare, OpenDNS, that you can use.

In conclusion, DNS plays a crucial role in the internet’s functionality, allowing us to access websites, send emails, and connect with devices on the web. It’s a system that most people don’t even know exist, but without it, the internet as we know it today would be impossible. Hopefully, this guide has helped you understand the basic concepts of DNS and how it works. Next time you browse the web, you can appreciate just how essential a role DNS plays.