Knowledgebase

What is DNS and How Does It Work?

The Domain Name System (DNS) is like the phonebook of the internet. It translates human-friendly domain names (like example.com) into IP addresses (like 192.168.1.1) that computers use to locate websites and servers.

How DNS Works

1. When you type a website address into your browser:
2. Your request goes to a DNS server.
3. The DNS server looks up the IP address linked to that domain.
4. The browser uses this IP address to connect to the website’s hosting server.
5. The website loads in your browser.

Key Components of DNS

1. Nameservers – These tell the internet where your domain is hosted. Each domain points to at least two nameservers provided by your hosting company.
2. DNS Records – They define how your domain behaves, including:
3. A Record – Connects a domain to an IP address.
4. MX Record – Directs emails to your mail server.
5. CNAME Record – Points one domain to another.
6. TXT Record – Holds text information, often for verification or security.

Why DNS is Important

1. Without DNS, you would need to remember IP addresses instead of domain names.
2. Proper DNS setup ensures your website, email, and other online services work correctly.
3. Changing DNS allows you to switch hosting providers without changing your domain name.