DNS stands for Domain Name System, which is a system that translates domain names into IP addresses. Domain names are the human-readable addresses that we use to identify websites, while IP addresses are the numerical addresses that computers use to communicate with each other over the internet.
When you enter a domain name into your web browser, your computer sends a request to a DNS server to look up the IP address associated with that domain name. The DNS server then returns the IP address to your computer, allowing it to connect to the website.
DNS is an essential part of how the internet works, allowing us to use easy-to-remember domain names instead of having to memorize IP addresses. It also allows websites to change their IP addresses without requiring users to update their bookmarks or remember a new IP address.
Key Takeaways
- DNS translates human-readable domain names into numerical IP addresses, facilitating online communication.
- Each connection made by client devices to a domain is recorded in the DNS logs, providing valuable insights for forensic research.
- Changing DNS settings requires time to propagate across root DNS servers, so changes should be made with caution.
- Dynamic DNS services allow devices to quickly update their IP addresses, enabling remote access without constant reconfiguration.
- A private DNS server provides more control over DNS infrastructure, making it a suitable choice for businesses with specific internal needs.
DNS – Domain Name System
DNS stands for Domain Name System. It is the internet’s phone book. It helps computers talk to each other by translating domain names into IP addresses, letters, and numbers that computers use to identify themselves on the internet.
The DNS is a server hierarchy that translates human-readable website names like “amazon.com” into computer-readable numerical addresses like “198.245.240.6”. This process is called name resolution, and it works because each server has records of all the other servers that store this information in their databases.
The DNS hierarchy can be visualized as a tree with several levels of branches that branch out from root servers at the top to leaf nodes that have no additional information beyond what is stored at their parent servers and are used only by clients that ask for more specific answers than can be found in the leaf nodes’ parent servers’ databases.
Related Read: DNS Types: DNS Query Types, Servers and Records Explained
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What is DNS Provider?
A DNS provider is the organization that hosts your Domain and utilizes Domain Name System (DNS) records to connect your Domain to email, webpages, and other web services. You can manage DNS records by accessing the DNS zone provided by your domain host. These records are vital to the operation of your website and email.
How To Check “What Is My DNS?
If you do not know where your Domain is hosted, you can find out by following the procedures:
- Open this link in your web browser and input your domain name in the Domain area.
- Click the DNS Lookup button below, and your domain host will be shown.
What is Private DNS?
A private DNS server is a name server that acts as an authoritative source of information for the domain names it manages. The term “private” refers to the fact that these servers are tightly controlled by their owners rather than being offered to the public.
Private DNS servers are often used when a company wants to run its DNS infrastructure but does not want its internal customers to have access to it.
Private DNS Use Cases
The following are some possible use cases for private DNS:
- Custom DNS Zones Within a VCN
A private zone is a subdomain of the public zone used for internal purposes. For example, if you have a company called “mycompany.com” and a separate domain called “mycompany.myprivate.com,” you can only assign the private zone to your internal network. This is useful for companies with multiple domains or subdomains for internal use only.
- Shared Private DNS Zones Within a Region
This can be useful when only a few people need Internet access but want to keep their Internet connection private from others. In this case, they can have a shared private zone that points to another authoritative name server in a different region or even another country (although this will increase latency and throughput).
- Split Horizon
The split horizon technique prevents looping by sending packets out of only one interface at a time. This can be accomplished with either routing protocols or DHCP snooping in software-defined networking (SDN) environments. When using DHCP snooping, you specify which interfaces will receive packets from your DHCP server and which will send them out again once they receive them back from clients connected to those interfaces.
What is Dynamic DNS?
Dynamic DNS is a software service that allows you to change the IP address assigned to your device quickly. For example, if you have an internet connection and want to access the internet from your laptop, you can use dynamic DNS to change the IP address of your device.
The advantages of using dynamic DNS include the following:
- Your network administrators no longer need to reconfigure settings for every IP address change, allowing them to focus on the network’s health.
- You can visit your server or website anywhere without worrying about your IP address changing. Periodically, a device on your network broadcasts your IP address to the DDNS service.
- You will no longer have to update your records if your IP address changes manually. DDNS is more cost-effective than static DNS over time.
What is DNS Traffic?
DNS traffic is the traffic that is sent to the DNS server. The DNS server is responsible for translating the domain name into an IP address and providing it to the local computer.
Why is DNS Traffic Important?
DNS plays a crucial role in how your enterprise’s end users connect to the internet. Each connection made by client devices to a domain is recorded in the DNS logs. Examining DNS traffic between client devices and your local recursive resolver may yield a plethora of information for forensic research.
DNS inquiries can reveal the following:
- Botnets and malware communicating with C&C servers
- What websites an employee visit
- Which harmful and DGA domains were visited
- Which dynamic domains (DynDNS) accessed DDOS assault detection, such as NXDomain?
In addition, DNS is also essential for web deployment, allowing websites and web services to be accessible through domain names. DNS settings play a crucial role in ensuring proper web deployment and management.
What is DNS settings?
DNS settings refer to the records within the Domain Name System that enable users to access their websites and email accounts via their domain names.
The DNS settings, also known as DNS records, are about the online resolution of websites and website-related services (email and FTP) and the ability to make numerous DNS adjustments using a dedicated DNS Management interface.
Typically, changing the DNS settings requires time to propagate to all root DNS servers. Repeated changes might increase this propagation time; therefore, you should only alter your domain’s DNS settings if you are confident in your abilities.
Related Read: What is a DNS Record? | 8 Main Types of DNS Records
Final Words
So, there you have it: a brief explanation of DNS that covers all of the basics. Hopefully, some of the principles here will help you understand DNS better and figure out why it’s so important.
The Internet is only possible with this essential service. So keep your eyes peeled and pay attention to what goes underneath the hood. You never know—you might use DNS someday!
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