What is DNS? In short, DNS is a system that converts website URLs into IP addresses. With DNS, you don’t need to type in an IP address when you want to visit a website.
Then, what is meant by DNS server? Is it true that the DNS Server is a special server in the DNS system earlier?
If you are curious about the full explanation, don’t move on from this article. We will discuss the meaning of DNS, DNS functions, parts of DNS, how DNS works, and how to set DNS domains.
What is DNS?
DNS is a system that connects Uniform Resource Locators or URLs with Internet Protocol Addresses or IP Addresses. DNS stands for domain name system.
In recorded domain history, initially you needed to type in the IP Address to access a website. This method is quite troublesome. Because, this means, you need to have a complete list of IP addresses of websites you visit and enter them manually.
DNS is a system that summarizes this work for you. Now, all you have to do is remember the domain name and enter it in the address bar. DNS will then translate the domain into an IP address that the computer understands.
For example, you want to access Google. Instead of writing 172.217.0.142 into the address bar, you can just enter the Google.com address.
That was the explanation about the meaning of DNS. Then, what is the function of DNS so that this system is really needed?
DNS function
The explanation of what DNS is above can make you guess how DNS works, right? In short, there are three functions and how DNS works:
1. Request IP Address information for a website based on a domain name;
2. Request URL information for a website based on the IP address entered;
3. Looking for the right server to send email.
Those are the three DNS functions that work automatically when you are accessing the internet.
So, before going into the explanation of how DNS works, you are of course asking why you should use DNS?
Advantages of DNS
The following are some of the benefits of using DNS in internet activities:
– Easier to Surf.
Compared to remembering a row of IP address numbers, of course it will be more comfortable to remember the website name. The presence of DNS has succeeded in bridging communication between internet users and computers. Especially if you also use DDNS. DDNS is a method to update IP Address automatically in your DNS service.
– More Consistent in Use.
You can use the same DNS name even if there is a change in the IP address used. Thus, visitor access to one of the websites can still be done even though the IP address has changed.
– Easier to Configure.
When there are problems with the IP address used, you can easily replace it with a different IP. Simply by updating the matching DNS and IP Address data. This of course will be related to the use of the DNS server which will be explained further in How DNS Works.
– Safer.
When using a DNS system, all online data transfer activity will go through a gated DNS server. The system will prevent hacking attempts by irresponsible parties. So, the website will be more secure. Want to be safer? Use DNSSEC. See the article what DNSSEC is for a complete explanation.
– Faster.
The DNS system allows the use of a DNS server which is able to serve data requests more quickly. With so many websites appearing, the speed of accessing information from a website is important.
Now that we know the advantages, let’s learn more about parts of the DNS.
DNS Parts
The basic principle of how DNS works is to match the name of the URL component with the IP Address component. Each URL and IP Address has parts that explain one another. DNS servers are an important part of the process.
It’s like looking for a book in a library based on a code that describes the location of the book. The library book code is called the Dewey Decimal System (DDS) which consists of the book topic code, the author’s last name code, and the book year code published.
The principle above is similar to DNS. However, sections of the book are replaced by URL sections arranged in a DNS hierarchy. Each part describes a part of the domain.
The difference is, the library code starts at the front. Meanwhile, the code in DNS is sorted backwards.
GTLD usually describes the institutional nature of the web owner. Say, websites for commercial purposes usually have a .COM extension. Then, .EDU for educational institutions and .GOV for government agencies.
On the other hand, CCLTD is an extension that describes the country of origin of the site owner. For example, the .ID ending for Indonesian websites, .AU for Australia, .UK for England, and so on.
How DNS Works
DNS works in stages. Begins the process of requesting information or DNS queries. Then proceed with other stages such as DNS recursion, root nameservers, TLD nameservers, to authoritative nameservers.
Without further ado, here is an explanation of how DNS works, as follows:
DNS Queries
DNS Query is a technical term for requesting information about an IP address. This stage starts when you type the URL into the address bar.
The DNS server is the one responsible for looking up information on filehosts. If the information sought is not found, the server will try to find pieces of information or record information that was recorded in the system (cache).
In this initial stage itself, there are three types of DNS queries. These three are recursive queries, iterative queries, and non-recursive queries. Below, you can find the meaning:
Recursive queries
The user provides a hostname which then the DNS Resolver must provide an answer for. There are two possible answers given. First, DNS will provide relevant information after looking at the Root Server or Authoritative Name Server. Second, the browser will display an error message because the information cannot be found.
Iterative queries
The user enters the hostname. The DNS resolver will search the relevant cache in memory. If not successful, the DNS resolver will look for information on the Root Server and Authoritative Name Server that are closest and relevant to the DNS zone.
Non-recursive queries
This is the fastest information retrieval process. This type does not require searching on the Root Server or Authoritative Name Server because the data being searched for is stored in cache.
DNS Recursor / DNS Recursive Resolver
DNS recursor is the first stage of information retrieval. When the user enters a URL and does not find valid results in the cache, the system will look for information in the internet service provider (ISP) cache.
Root Name Servers
Let’s say the information you are looking for cannot be found at the ISP. Then, the system will look up the information you need to the root name server.
The root name server is a kind of database that answers questions about domain names and IP addresses. This server doesn’t have the right answer for the information it’s looking for.
However, this server can forward requests for information to parties who know better. In this world, there are 13 root servers working. The root servers are sorted alphabetically from A to M.
Such root servers are managed by organizations such as the Internet Systems Consortium, Verisign, ICANN, the University of Maryland, and the U.S. Army Research Lab.
Nameserver TLDs
From the root name server, the system will read the type of information sought from the top-level domain. Each TLD like .COM, .ORG, .EDU, .ID, .AU, and so on has a specific server.
By reading this information, the system can forward the information search to the server that actually has the data being sought.
Authoritative Name Servers
After finding the desired server, we come to the authoritative name server. This type of server has all the complete information about the intended website.
When the requested information matches the results, the browser will display the website or page you requested at the beginning. Of course these search results have a certain period of time.
This search process will be repeated to ensure the information displayed is kept up-to-date. But, of course, some of this information is cached on the device just in case the query process runs fast.
Well, apparently there are many parts of the DNS system involved in how DNS works, right? Starting from the browser, DNS server, to the caching system. Not only that, it turns out that DNS is still divided into several types, you know.
Kinds of DNS
The information requested by the user in the DNS system is called a DNS record. There are several types of information that can be requested in a DNS system. Here are the 10 most frequently encountered DNS records:
– A Records or Address records
Stores information about the hostname, time to live (TTL), and IPv4 Address.
– AAA Records
Stores hostname information and its relationship to IPv6 addresses.
– MX Records
Record the SMTP server that is specifically used for exchanging e-mails in a domain.
– CNAME Records
Used to redirect a domain or subdomain to an IP address. Through this one function, you don’t need to update DNS records.
– NS Records
Refers to the subdomain on the desired authoritative name server. This record is useful if your subdomain on web hosting is different from the domain.
– PTR Records
Give permission to the DNS resolver to provide information about the IP address and display the hostname (reverse DNS lookup).
– CERT Records
Store encryption certificates or security certificates.
– SRV Records
Stores information regarding the location of the communication, such as Priority, Name, Weight, Port, Points, and TTL
– TXT Records
Carry and transmit data that can only be read by a machine.
– SOA Records
The section that appears at the beginning of the DNS zone document. The same section also refers to the Authoritative Name Server as well as complete information about a domain.
In addition to various types of DNS, you can also use various fastest third-party DNS services, which are certainly more practical.
How to Setting Domain DNS?
To be able to practice how to set DNS Domain, you need to open the Zone Editor feature in cPanel. Here are the steps you need to take to make DNS settings:
– Login to cPanel.
– Look for the Domains section.
– Click Zone Editor.
– Select a domain and click Manage.
– Add records as needed (A, AAAA, CAA, CNAME, MX, SRV, or TXT)
– Save records.
– Wait for DNS propagation time up to 1×24 hours.
– DNS settings are complete.
Do you understand, what is DNS?
Through this article, you will know what DNS is. In essence, DNS is a system that makes it easier for you to browse the internet. You don’t need to remember the website address in numbers. You simply write down the domain name you want to open and DNS will translate it to your destination IP address.
Fortunately, Niagahoster provides tools to check DNS easily. So, you can see your website’s DNS without the hassle.
In this article, you will also learn what DNS functions and the parts in it. No less important, you will understand how the DNS system and DNS server work to support internet access. All of the above processes can run in a fraction of a millisecond.
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