The Domain Name System (DNS) has become almost as important as the Internet itself, and in order to keep things running smoothly, you need to have a top-notch DNS server solution on your side. But what exactly is DNS, and why does it matter? That’s what this article will explain!
What is DNS Server?
A DNS server (DNS stands for Domain Name System) is a computer that connects to the internet and stores website IP addresses. When you type in a website’s URL, the DNS server looks up the IP address associated with that URL and then directs your browser to the correct website. It is important because they help make sure you’re directed to the right website when you’re surfing the web. They also cache the information so that if someone else tries to go to the same site at a later time, they can get routed there faster.
How do DNS servers resolve a DNS query?
When you type a URL into your browser, your device contacts a DNS server to request the IP address associated with that domain. The DNS server then looks up the IP address and responds back to your device. This process happens behind the scenes every time you visit the site. It does this by sending a DNS query to several servers, each of which translates a different part of the domain name you entered. The different servers queried are:
- DNS Resolver: When you send your request to the DNS resolver, the resolver accesses other servers in the DNS to obtain the address, then sends you the response.
- Root Server: Root servers are DNS nameservers that operate in the root zone. These servers can directly answer queries for records stored or cached within the root zone, and they can also refer other requests to the appropriate Top Level Domain (TLD) server. For example, a .com TLD nameserver contains information for every website that ends in ‘.com’.
- TLD Server: It keeps the IP address of the second-level domain contained within the TLD name. Then releases the website’s IP address and sends the query to the domain’s nameserver.
- Authoritative Name Server: An authoritative name server is a name server that gives answers in response to questions asked about names in a zone. Authoritative DNS servers also provide essential DNS information for each website (corresponding IP addresses, a list of mail servers, and other DNS record information).
What is a Name Server?
A name server is a special type of server that holds all the DNS records for your domain name. Its job is to provide your DNS information to anyone who requests it. Nameservers are managed by domain registrar or hosting provider.
Nameserver addresses look like domain names, except they don’t bring us to websites. Rather, they bring us to the nameservers that provide us with the IP address we want. Each nameserver has its own address and can store the records of many websites.
For example, If your hosting provider is Namecheap, then the name server used to manage your DNS records will be on nameservers with addresses that look like this:
dns1.namecheaphosting.com
dns2.namecheaphosting.com
How to Find your DNS Server Address?
In order to find your local DNS server address, perform the following steps listed below.
- Open your Command Prompt from the Start menu (or type “Cmd” into the search in your Windows taskbar).
- Next, type ipconfig/ all into your command prompt and press Enter.
- Look for the field labeled “DNS Servers.” The first address is the primary server, and the next address is the secondary server.
How to Change Your DNS Server Settings?
DNS server settings tell your computer which server to use when it wants to connect to a website. You can change these settings if you want to use a different server, or if you’re troubleshooting a connection issue. To change your DNS server settings, you’ll need to open the Network Connections window.
Section 1: In windows
- Open the Control Panel.
- Click Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings.
- Right-click “Network Adapter” and select “Properties.”
- Select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and then “Properties.”
- Click Advanced and select the DNS tab. If there are any DNS server IP addresses listed there, write them down for future reference, and remove them from this window.
- Select OK.
- Repeat the procedure for additional network connections you want to change.
Section 2: On the macOS
- Click Apple menu > System Preferences > Network.
- Select the connection you wish to configure (Wi-Fi or Ethernet), then click “Advanced“.
- Select the DNS tab.
- Click “+” to add a new IP address, or replace an address listed. Enter your preferred and alternate DNS server IP addresses.
- Click OK > Apply.
- Repeat the procedure for additional network connections you want to change.