Demystifying DNS!

What is DNS and Why You Should Care About It?

Have you ever wondered how the internet works? How do you access websites and other online resources by typing their names instead of long strings of numbers? How do you find the information you need in a fast and efficient way? The answer to these questions lies in a system called DNS, or Domain Name System.

DNS is a system that translates domain names, such as www.example.com, into numerical IP addresses, such as 204.79.197.200, that computers use to communicate with each other on the internet. Think of DNS as the phonebook on your phone that allows you to store a phone number by pairing the number with the contact's name. DNS works like a phone book of the internet, allowing users to access websites and other resources by using easy-to-remember names instead of long strings of numbers. DNS also helps to improve the performance, security, and reliability of the internet.

In this article, I will explain what DNS is, how it works, and why it is important for anyone who uses the internet. I will also share some tips and resources on how to optimize your DNS settings and troubleshoot common DNS issues.

How DNS Works.

When you type a domain name ( www.example.com) into your web browser, your computer sends a query to a DNS server, which is a computer that stores a database of domain names and their corresponding IP addresses. The DNS server then returns the IP address of the website you requested, and your browser connects to that address to load the web page. This process is called DNS resolution, and it usually takes only a few milliseconds

There are different types of DNS servers involved in the DNS resolution process, such as:

• Recursive DNS servers: These are the servers that receive your query and try to find the answer for you. They may contact other DNS servers to get the information they need.
• Root DNS servers: These are the servers that store the information about the top-level domains, such as .com, .org, or .net. They act as the starting point for the DNS resolution process.
• TLD DNS servers: These are the servers that store the information about the second-level domains, such as exmaple.com, google.com, or amazon.com. They are contacted by the recursive DNS servers after getting the referral from the root DNS servers.
• Authoritative DNS servers: These are the servers that store the information about the specific domain names and their IP addresses. They are the final destination of the DNS resolution process, and they provide the answer to the recursive DNS servers.

Why Is DNS Important?

DNS is an essential component of the internet, and it has many benefits, such as:

1. It makes the internet more user-friendly and accessible, as users do not need to memorize IP addresses to visit websites.

• It allows the internet to scale and grow, as new domain names and IP addresses can be added and updated easily.
• It improves the speed and efficiency of the internet, as DNS servers cache the information they receive and reduce the number of queries they need to make.
• It enhances the security and reliability of the internet, as DNS servers can prevent malicious attacks, redirect traffic, and balance the load.

How to Optimize Your DNS Settings.

As a user, you may not have much control over the DNS servers that your browser or device uses to resolve domain names. However, you can still optimize your DNS settings to improve your internet experience. Here are some tips and tools that you can use:

• Use a public DNS service: A public DNS service is a DNS server that anyone can use for free. Some of the advantages of using a public DNS service are that they are faster, more secure, and more reliable than the default DNS servers provided by your internet service provider (ISP). Some of the popular public DNS services are Google Public DNS, Cloudflare DNS, and OpenDNS. You can change your DNS settings on your device or router to use a public DNS service of your choice.
• Use a DNS benchmark tool: A DNS benchmark tool is a software that tests the performance of different DNS servers and compares them. You can use a DNS benchmark tool to find out which DNS server is the fastest and most reliable for your location and network. Some of the free and easy-to-use DNS benchmark tools are Namebench, DNS Benchmark, and DNS Speed Test. You can download and run these tools on your computer and see the results.
• Use a DNS proxy or VPN service: A DNS proxy or VPN service is a service that allows you to access websites and other online resources that are blocked or restricted by your ISP, government, or network administrator. By using a DNS proxy or VPN service, you can bypass the DNS filtering and censorship that may affect your internet access. Some of the benefits of using a DNS proxy or VPN service are that they can protect your privacy, enhance your security, and improve your speed. Some of the popular DNS proxy or VPN services are Smart DNS Proxy, ExpressVPN, and NordVPN. You can sign up and use these services on your device or router to access any website or online resource you want.

How to Troubleshoot Common DNS Issues.

Sometimes, you may encounter some DNS issues that prevent you from accessing websites or other online resources. Some of the common DNS issues are:

• DNS server not responding: This means that the DNS server that your device or browser is using is not available or not working properly. You may see an error message like "DNS server not responding" or "DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NO_INTERNET" on your browser.
• DNS lookup failed: This means that the DNS server that your device or browser is using cannot find the IP address of the domain name that you are trying to access. You may see an error message like "DNS lookup failed" or "DNS_PROBE_FINISHED_NXDOMAIN" on your browser.
• DNS cache corrupted: This means that the DNS cache on your device or browser is outdated or corrupted. The DNS cache is a temporary storage of domain names and IP addresses that your device or browser uses to speed up the DNS resolution process. However, sometimes the DNS cache may contain wrong or invalid information that causes DNS issues. You may see an error message like "This site can't be reached" or "ERR_NAME_NOT_RESOLVED" on your browser.

To troubleshoot and fix these DNS issues, you can try some of these solutions:

• Restart your device or router: Sometimes, a simple restart can solve many DNS issues, as it can clear the DNS cache and refresh the network settings. You can try to restart your device or router and see if the issue is resolved.
• Flush your DNS cache: Flushing your DNS cache can also help to fix DNS issues, as it can delete outdated or corrupted DNS information and force your device or browser to get the latest DNS information from the DNS server. You can flush your DNS cache on your device or browser by using some commands or settings.
• Changing your DNS server can also help to fix DNS issues, as it can bypass the DNS server that is not responding or not working properly and use a different DNS server that is faster and more reliable. You can change your DNS server on your device or router by using the public DNS services or the DNS benchmark tools that I mentioned earlier.
• Use a DNS proxy or VPN service: Using a DNS proxy or VPN service can also help to fix DNS issues, as it can bypass the DNS filtering and censorship that may block or restrict your access to some websites or online resources. You can use the DNS proxy or VPN services that I mentioned earlier on your device or router to access any website or online resource you want.

Conclusion

DNS is a system that translates domain names into IP addresses and allows users to access websites over a network such as the Internet.