DNS server

A DNS (Domain Name System) server is a computer that helps convert human-readable domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses (like 192.0.2.1) that computers can use to identify each other on the internet. To understand how a DNS server works, imagine it as a large phonebook for the internet. When a website address (URL) is typed into the browser, the DNS server looks up the domain name and returns the corresponding IP address. It allows device to connect to the correct server hosting the website.

How Does a DNS Server Work?

• You enter a website address in your browser (for example, www.example.com).
• The browser sends a request to a DNS server to get the IP address of the website.
• The DNS server checks its records to find the IP address that matches the domain name.
• The server sends the IP address back to your device.
• Your device connects to the website’s server using the IP address and loads the page.
• This process happens so quickly that you don’t even notice it, but without DNS servers, browsing the web would be much more complicated, as you’d have to remember the IP address of every website.

Read in detail about Working of Domain Name System (DNS) Server.

Types of DNS Servers

• Recursive DNS Server: This type of DNS server handles requests from devices and searches for the IP address if it's not in its cache. It goes through multiple DNS servers to find the correct address.
• Authoritative DNS Server: This server holds the actual DNS records for a domain. It’s the final stop in the process of resolving a domain name and providing the correct IP address.
• Caching DNS Server: This server stores the results of previous DNS queries for a period, speeding up the process of accessing frequently visited sites.
• Forwarding DNS Server: This type of DNS server passes DNS queries to another DNS server, usually when it cannot resolve the query itself.

DNS Server Records

DNS servers store different types of records to map domain names to IP addresses. Some of the most common DNS records are:

• A Record (Address Record) maps a domain name to an IPv4 address.
• AAAA Record maps a domain name to an IPv6 address.
• MX Record (Mail Exchange) directs email to the right mail server.
• CNAME Record (Canonical Name) is alias for another domain name.
• NS Record (Name Server) points to the DNS servers for the domain.
• TXT Record stores text information often for email security.

Why Use a DNS Server

DNS Servers are used as:

• They make it easier to access websites by translating domain names into IP addresses.
• They speed up browsing by caching frequently accessed domain names.
• They help protect against attacks like redirecting traffic to malicious sites by using secure DNS protocols.

How to Set Up a DNS Server

• Choose a DNS Server: You can use DNS servers provided by your ISP, or choose public DNS servers like Google DNS (8.8.8.8), Cloudflare DNS (1.1.1.1), or OpenDNS (208.67.222.222).
• Configure Your Device:
  • On Windows: Go to Network & Internet Settings > Change Adapter Settings > Right-click on your active connection > Properties > Internet Protocol Version 4 > Enter your DNS server addresses.
  • On Android: Go to Settings > Network & Internet > DNS > Enter your DNS server address.
• Test Your DNS Server: After configuring the DNS, test the connection by opening a website to ensure the DNS is working correctly.