What is DNS?
DNS (Domain Name System) is a system that manages how addresses on the internet are handled.
In Simple Terms
DNS is a system that links IP addresses, which computers use, with domain names, which are easier for people to remember (like example.com). It translates domain names into IP addresses so that when you enter a website name, it gets converted into the IP address needed to access the website.
In Detail
- IP Addresses and Domain Names:
- IP Address: This is a numerical address used by computers to communicate over a network, such as
198.51.100.2. - Domain Name: This is a human-friendly address for a website, like
example.com.
- IP Address: This is a numerical address used by computers to communicate over a network, such as
- Role of DNS:
- Computers understand IP addresses but not domain names. Conversely, humans find domain names easier to remember than IP addresses.
- DNS acts as a bridge by translating domain names into IP addresses and vice versa.
- How DNS Works:
- When you enter a domain name in your browser, it sends a request to a DNS server.
- The DNS server responds with the corresponding IP address.
- Your computer then uses this IP address to connect to the correct server and display the website.
- Related Terms:
- Name Resolution: The process of converting a domain name into an IP address. Conversely, converting an IP address back into a domain name is known as “reverse lookup.”
- DNS Server: A computer that manages the mapping of domain names to IP addresses. There are two main types: Full-Service Resolver (DNS Cache Server) and Authoritative DNS Server (DNS Content Server).
- Zone File: A file on the DNS server that contains the mapping of domain names to IP addresses.
In Summary
DNS is a system that manages and translates the relationship between domain names and IP addresses.