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What Is DNS: This Is How The Domain Name System Works

The Internet world is characterized by attractive and easy-to-remember web page names that make it easier for us to access information and services on the Internet. But there's a complicated system behind the scenes that makes sure we don't have to deal with confusing numbers and can use those easy names instead.

In this article we explain what exactly DNS is, how it came about and how it works. Why is this important? Because if you want to create a website and find a domain name, it's useful to know a little more about how the Internet address book works.

1. What Is DNS

DNS is the acronym for Domain Name System. It can be considered a kind of Internet address book. 
A typical IP (Internet Protocol) address actually looks like this:

192.158.1.38. Each domain is stored as an IP address on a Domain Name System (DNS) server. DNS helps us navigate the Internet because, if we had to enter that sequence of numbers every time we want to access a web page in our browser, the Internet would look completely different from the one we know today. Not only would it be much more frustrating, but it would also be much more difficult for companies and brands to stand out from the crowd.

2. History Of DNS

Paul Mockapetris first proposed the domain name system (DNS) in 1983. The first DNS server went online that same year. The early days of the Internet,were a time of rapid growth and innovation. The domain name system made it easier for users to access web pages.
Over the years, DNS has continued to evolve with new features and capabilities. Today, billions of people around the world use DNS to access millions of web pages and to register domain names.

3. What Is DNS For?

DNS is used for many purposes:
  • Naming web pages: Instead of typing a string of numbers, simply type the name of the web page.
  • Find addresses: Find out the IP address of the website you want to visit.
  • Share Work: Helps balance workload by allowing multiple servers to use the same name.
  • Speed up processes: Browsers can remember (cache) these translations to make future visits faster.
  • Organize Internet: Organize web pages into different top-level domains and subdomains.

4. Why DNS Is Important


The domain name system is essential to ensuring that the Internet is accessible to everyone. By converting human-readable web page names into computer-readable IP addresses, DNS makes it easier for all of us to find and access the web pages of our choice.
DNS also plays an important role in network security. It works as a kind of phone book, converting website names into IP addresses. This helps servers share information about which sites are registered, which distributes the load between them. By doing this, you ensure that networks run smoothly and securely.

Additionally, DNS caching can improve the performance of a web page by allowing browsers to store logs for later use. This shortens the loading times of the most visited web pages. Cache works like this → if you visit a web page frequently, its history is cached. Then, when you return to the page, you'll see the saved version of the page, instead of a reloaded one. This saves time and storage space on the server and helps web pages load faster overall.

5. How DNS Works

When your browser can't find the address information it needs in its cache, it performs a DNS query. To do this, your browser sends requests to DNS servers. DNS lookup is the process by which your browser attempts to find the IP address of the web page you have entered.

This is the process:
  • You type the address of the web page into your browser.
  • Your browser sends a request to a special type of server called a DNS resolver to find the IP address of the page.
  • The DNS resolver asks a DNS root name server under which top-level domain the web page information can be found. (.com, .net, .es, etc.).
  • The DNS resolver then asks the TLD name server (.com, .net, etc.) what is the IP address of the name server, which has the web page information.
  • The authoritative domain name server responds with the IP address of the web page.
  • Now, the DNS resolver returns the IP address to you.
  • Your browser uses that IP address to request the web page files directly from the server where the page is hosted.
  • Finally, the page files are sent to your browser and the web page is displayed on your screen.

6. What Are DNS Servers

Various operators around the world manage DNS servers, a crucial part of the Internet infrastructure. The availability of a reliable DNS server is essential for users to access websites without problems. When you load a web page, four DNS servers are involved:

  • DNS Resolver: This is the first to receive your request when you enter an address in your browser. The resolver generates several queries to find the IP address corresponding to the domain name you requested.
  • Root Name Server: The query then reaches the root server, which translates the domain name into an IP address and determines the type of domain the web page belongs to (such as .com, .net, etc.).
  • TLD Name Server (Top Level Domain): The request is then directed to the TLD Server, which queries the top level domain (operated by domain registrars such as .com, .net, etc.) for more information about the domain. specific domain.
  • Authoritative name server: Finally, the query reaches the authoritative name server, which has authority over the requested domain. This server returns the IP address associated with the requested domain name to the DNS resolver, allowing your browser to access the website.

What is ICANN → ICANN (Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers) oversees domain registration. This organization assigns IP addresses, accredits domain registrars, maintains a central database of domain names and associated IP addresses, and approves new domain extensions.

7. Types Of DNS Queries

In general, the DNS query is the request that is sent to a DNS resolver to be answered. The DNS resolver, for its part, accepts and processes the DNS query.
Typically, a DNS lookup contains three different types of DNS queries. The different types are often combined to be able to find the IP address of a web page more quickly.

A DNS query works faster if the address information is already in your cache, that is, stored in your browser. In this case, it is called an iterative or non-recursive query. The goal is to save bandwidth and make services.

8. Difference Between Authoritative DNS Server And Recursive DNS Resolver

DNS servers are mainly divided into recursive and authoritative DNS servers. But how are they different?A recursive DNS resolver is a server that contacts other DNS servers to obtain the answer to a query. If the requested DNS server does not know the answer, it consults other servers until it finds one that does. This type of server is usually used by private users and small businesses.

It stores the IP addresses of web pages and translates the names into IP addresses. It then sends the response to the user's computer, which proceeds to open the web page in the browser. This type of server is often used by large organizations and Internet providers.
So, to summarize, in recursive queries, the DNS resolver takes full responsibility for obtaining the information, while in iterative queries, the responsibility is shared between the resolver and the DNS servers.

Conclusion

In this article, we explore the complex world of the domain name system (DNS) – the connection point between domain names and IP addresses. DNS is a key piece of Internet infrastructure. Understanding how it works will give you a better understanding of how the Internet works in general and everything behind a domain name. For example, your domain name may be www.yournameandlastname.com, but for machines to understand it, DNS has to translate it to an IP address like 142.250.189.142. Without DNS, we would have to remember the IP addresses of all the web pages we want to visit.

We also saw that there are recursive DNS resolvers and authoritative DNS servers. The recursive DNS resolver is like a librarian searching for a book in the library by asking fellow librarians. The authoritative DNS server, for its part, would be like the shelf where the book is located. That is, it contains the actual information (the IP addresses) of the domain names, while the librarian (the recursive DNS resolver) has to look up the information by asking other DNS servers.

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