DNS: Everything You Need To Know

Introduction

Ever wondered how a website address takes you to your desired platform? Well, it is no less than a magic that a computer reads the address created in human language and identifies it with the correct IP address. If you are new to the terms such as domain name, IP address, and so on, then this informative piece will offer you the required knowledge.?

We will discuss every detail about the DNS, i.e., the domain name system. Here, you will find answers to questions such as what DNS is, how it works, and what the common issues are. If you want to register a new domain name and contribute to the already existing force of over a billion website addresses, then make sure you have all the right knowledge because why not?

What is DNS?

Remember the magic that we were talking about, how a computer understands a human language-based address and matches it with the right IP address? Well, the magic is none other than a DNS or a domain name system. It is a fundamental component of the Internet infrastructure. So, what are the basic elements of a DNS? A DNS is made up of the following elements:?

• DNS Resolver: This software is responsible to initiate a DNS query. Now, what is a DNS query? The moment you type a web address on the search engine, it becomes a DNS query. This query is sent to the DNS server which keeps record of all the web addresses.?
• DNS Servers: As mentioned already, a DNS server is like a library which keeps record of all the web addresses and IP addresses. It maps domain names to IP addresses and other related information.?
• DNS Records: Inside the DNS server, there is various information relating to different websites. This information is directly related to their address. A DNS record is the data stored on DNS servers that map domain names to IP addresses.
• DNS Protocol: The next one in the row is the DNS protocol. It is a set of rules and procedures that govern how DNS queries and responses are processed between DNS clients and servers.?

Okay, so this was all about the basic concept of a domain name system. We will now take a look at how this entire system works.?

How Does DNS Work?

We will take a simple situation where a person like you is trying to open a website. You have entered the domain name that you have for the required website, and your computer initiates a DNS query, which is sent to the DNS resolver. The DNS resolver takes that query and goes to different DNS servers, asking for the whereabouts of the particular web address. When it finds the perfect match with the right DNS server, it asks for the matching IP address. The DNS server looks into the DNS record and delivers the right match to the resolver, which then returns the result to your computer, allowing it to establish a connection to the requested website or service. That's it! Of course, there are more technicalities behind this generalized process, but we have delivered the most appropriate hierarchy to help you understand how DNS works. The process looks smooth when we read about it, but do you know there are certain complexities when a DNS resolver goes on the hunt for the perfect match? Yes, it would help if you read the next section to discover these errors.?

Troubleshooting Glitches Associated With The DNS

The entire DNS process is full of ifs and buts. You need to unearth each one of them in order to understand the whole concept. We will start with the very first error associated with the situation of no response.?

1. DNS server is not responding: This error occurs when the system cannot connect to the DNS server, which translates web addresses (URLs) into numerical IP addresses. It might happen because the DNS server is struggling to reach the website you're trying to access, or your computer is having trouble connecting to the DNS server. You can try fixing it by restarting your computer or router/modem.
2. DNS resolution failure: This is a common error that happens when the DNS server cannot convert a domain name into an IP address. Why does this happen? It could be due to domains that are not registered, issues with your internet connection, or incorrect DNS settings.
3. Incorrect DNS configuration: If the DNS records are set up incorrectly, you'll face DNS resolution problems. Mistakes in IP addresses or other values in the DNS settings can cause issues. Errors in DNS records like SPF, MX, and DKIM can also affect email delivery and reception.
4. High TTL values: TTL, or Time to Live, determines how long a DNS record is cached by a DNS resolver before it needs to be refreshed. High TTL values are suitable for records that don't change often, while low TTL values are better for frequent updates. Improper TTL settings can lead to longer propagation times and downtimes during server transitions.
5. High DNS latency: DNS latency measures the time it takes for data to travel across a network and back. High latency results in slower loading times and a poor user experience. Factors like under-scaled DNS infrastructure, network congestion, and the distance between DNS servers and users can contribute to high latency.

Wrap Up

The Domain Name System (DNS) is an important piece of the Internet infrastructure that enables human-readable domain names to be translated into numerical IP addresses, facilitating seamless communication between devices and servers. In this comprehensive guide, we've explored the fundamentals of DNS, including its basic elements, how it works, and common issues associated with it.

At its core, DNS consists of DNS resolvers, servers, records, and protocols, all working together to ensure accurate and efficient resolution of domain names to IP addresses. When you type a web address into your browser, it triggers a DNS query, which is sent to a DNS resolver that navigates through various DNS servers to find the corresponding IP address. However, the DNS process is not without its challenges. Issues such as DNS server unresponsiveness, resolution failures, incorrect configuration, high TTL values, and DNS latency can impact internet connectivity and user experience. We hope our article has answered all your doubts and questions about the topic of DNS.?