DNS Servers: What They Are
DNS? Don't You Mean DNA!?
So what is the DNS server?
A DNS server is a Domain Name Server, and its job is to guide us through the Internet. Every ISP carries its own DNS server. You can think of IP addresses as phone numbers, each one calling another computer on the World Wide Web. As you can imagine, these numbers could get very complicated very fast. The DNS server's job is to crawl a registered database of all of the 'hosting' IP addresses on the Internet. Providing the list it generates on request to your computer. Each Internet service is linked to an easier to remember (URL) These URLs can be as simple as freds.com or as complex as freddycrugerbarandlounge.net.tv
Why do we need DNS servers today?
DNS servers provide a valuable service. Imagine trying to remember as many as twelve digits for every web-page you visit? That would become very cumbersome, very fast wouldn't it? Let's not forget that an IP address says very little about a web-page as well. By providing an IP lookup service and linking these IP addresses to URLS we can easily remember the addresses of many of our favorite web-pages and what content those web-pages provide. But without the protection of a registered database the Internet would quickly become overwhelmed by conflicting URLs or domain names.
Can you use DNS servers offline?
Actually yes, you can use DNS servers offline to map out domains to each of your local networks computers. You could even use a local DNS server on an Intranet to simplify accessing storage solutions, databases, and servers in your local business system. This is a great way to create a unique and memorable name for each service you provide on your network.
Closing
So there you have it, what the DNS server is, what it does, and why we need it. Third party DNS servers like Open DNS provide extended domain mapping services that may have been blocked by your local ISPs DNS server.
More information.
Published by Nicholas Ward
From the time Nicholas Ward was old enough to hold a screw driver Nicholas Ward has been taking things apart just to see how they work, and as Nicholas Ward got older, Nicholas Ward found he could repair the... View profile
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- Public DNS Server List
- Finding Your DNS Server Address for Windows Vista and XP
- DNS Server Problems
- Public DNS servers often come with the advantage of a more 'open' Internet.
- Default DNS servers are run by ISPs who may control your browsing.
- The DNS server is the backbone of the Internet.
2 Comments
Post a CommentI never knew what they were. Now I know.
I learned something from this. Thanks!