A system that converts domain names to IP addresses. Domain names are the human-readable search queries that users type into their browser’s search bar, e.g., https://lymun.com.
DNS translates the domain names into a numeric IP address that the servers involved in the search process understand.
DNS is hierarchical and decentralized, meaning that it consists of multiple layers and is not managed by a single organization.
Types of DNS servers
DNS Precursor is the first server involved in the DNS lookup process that takes place when you type an address into your browser’s search bar. Its task is to receive requests from client computers and connect them to the desired DNS record.
Root name server is the first to translate human-readable domain names into numeric IP addresses recognized by computers. It does not point to a specific location in the hierarchy but to a group of locations where the desired query target can be found.
TLD stands for the top-level domain; common examples are .com, .org, .net, .edu, or .gov. In the library of the Internet, it may be associated with the particular bookshelf where the volume requested by the customer is located.
Authoritative Nameserver is the last server involved in the DNS lookup process. It is the place where DNS records are stored and where the translation between the domain name and the IP address takes place. It acts as a dictionary of the online world and returns the IP address of the requested website to the DNS precursor server that made the request.
The following explains what happens behind the scenes when you ask your browser to go to a particular website.
- A user types www.lymun.com into their browser.
- The request is received by a DNS precursor.
- The DNS precursor continues to query the root name server.
- The root server sends the address of a top-level domain (here .com) back to the precursor.
- The DNS recursor queries the name server of the .com TLD.
- The TLD name server responds with the IP address of the authoritative name server.
- The DNS precursor then queries the domain’s authoritative name server.
- The authoritative name server returns the IP address of the desired domain.
- The DNS precursor passes the IP address to the browser.
- The user calls the requested web page.
While it’s true that a lot of server work goes on in the background during a DNS query, this 10-step process takes only a few seconds on average.
The DNS is an essential part of the structure of the World Wide Web and thus an important tool in any working environment.
DNS Resolution for Lymun.com
