What is a DNS server?

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Psychz - Swarup

Votes: 0Posted On: Jul 10, 2017 09:21:22

Before we get into the explanation of DNS server, let us first understand a little bit about DNS(Domain Name System). The Domain Name System was a system developed with the evolution of the Internet. For the convenience of a user, the IP addresses are mapped with names that can be easily memorized by the normal user. Hence, when you open a web browser and type the name of a website, the name is usually mapped to the IP address of the website's server. But where are the records of these Domain Names and how does the computer know where to find the IP address? All these functionalities are looked after by the DNS server.

Function of a DNS server

What do you do when you have to post a letter to a destination? You post a letter writing the address of the destination and put it in the post box. The post office then segregates the letter by the location. Similarly, the domain names are divided by locations(.us, .aus, .in etc), area of functionalities(.com, .org etc.) among others. When a user types the website's address (say www.google.com) in the web browser, the browser sends a request to the DNS server. The DNS server contains the list of all the domain names mapped to their IP addresses. The DNS server resolves the domain name and sends a reply to the web browser with the IP address of the website. Only then the web browser can continue to communicate with the server.