What is a DNS and how does it work?

Accessing information on the Internet has become a fundamental task for our daily activities. However, behind the simplicity of typing a domain name into our web browser, there is a complex system that translates that name into the corresponding IP address, allowing our device to connect to the desired website. This system is known as the Domain Name System (DNS)..

In this blog, we will delve deeper into this topic and its importance in the functioning of the Internet.

What is a DNS?

The Domain Name Systemis a hierarchical and decentralized system that functions like the Internet's phone book. Its main function is to translate human-readable domain names, such as "google.com" or "wikipedia.org," into the numerical IP addresses that computers use to communicate with each other, like "192.0.2.44" or "216.58.217.238."

How Does DNS Work?

When we type a domain name into our web browser's address bar, a name resolution process begins, involving several DNS servers:

1. Recursive Resolver: The first step is that our device contacts its DNS resolver server, which is automatically configured by our Internet Service Provider (ISP). This server acts as an intermediary in the search for the IP address.
2. Root Server: The DNS resolver sends a query to the DNS root server, which is like the main directory of the system. This root server provides the address of the corresponding Top-Level Domain (TLD) server for the domain name being searched.
3. TLD Server: The resolver server contacts the TLD server, which is responsible for top-level domains such as ".com," ".org," ".mx," etc. This server provides the address of the authoritative DNS server for the specific domain name.
4. Authoritative DNS Server: Finally, the resolver server contacts the authoritative DNS server, which holds the definitive information about the IP address associated with the domain name. This server returns the IP address to the resolver server.
5. Response to the Device: The resolver server sends the obtained IP address to the device, which uses it to connect to the corresponding website.

Importance of DNS

This system plays a crucial role in the functioning of the Internet by allowing us to access websites and other online resources easily and memorably using domain names instead of complex IP addresses. Additionally, it also provides other essential services such as:

• Security: It can be used to implement security measures like content filtering and preventing cyber attacks.
• Load Balancing: It can distribute traffic among multiple web servers, improving the performance and availability of websites.
• Email: It is fundamental for the proper functioning of email, as it allows mail servers to find each other.

Conclusion

DNS is an essential component of the Internet infrastructure that operates quietly behind the scenes but is indispensable for our online experience. By understanding how DNS works, we can better appreciate the complexity and sophistication of the Internet and recognize its importance in today's digital world.

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