Domain Name System (DNS) Feature Overview and Configuration Guide (2024)

FAQs

What is DNS and its configuration? ›

DNS configuration sets up a Domain Name System server to translate domain names (URLs) into IP addresses. The configuration helps manage the DNS records for domains. Knowing how to configure a DNS server is essential for any network administrator. The steps to configure a DNS differs depending on the operating system.

DNS servers convert URLs and domain names into IP addresses that computers can understand and use. They translate what a user types into a browser into something the machine can use to find a webpage. This process of translation and lookup is called DNS resolution.

DNS Definition

The Domain Name System (DNS) turns domain names into IP addresses, which browsers use to load internet pages. Every device connected to the internet has its own IP address, which is used by other devices to locate the device.

The 8 steps in a DNS lookup:

When searching for example.com, our request is pointed toward the .com TLD. The resolver then makes a request to the .com TLD. The TLD server then responds with the IP address of the domain's nameserver, example.com. Lastly, the recursive resolver sends a query to the domain's nameserver.

From the Windows desktop, open the Start menu, select Windows Administrative Tools > DNS. Select and hold (or right-click) your server, and then select Properties. Select the Root Hints tab, select the item to edit, and then select Edit. Enter the fully qualified domain name, then select Resolve.

Every single website or domain name has an IP address, which displays its accurate location on the internet. And the DNS is the medium to that! That's why it's crucial that website owners are aware of what the DNS is, how it works, and how it can be put to good use.

The Internet's DNS system works much like a phone book by managing the mapping between names and numbers. DNS servers translate requests for names into IP addresses, controlling which server an end user will reach when they type a domain name into their web browser.

One of the main disadvantages of using DNS CNAME records is the potential for DNS hijacking or DNS spoofing attacks. DNS hijacking occurs when an attacker gains unauthorized access to a DNS server and redirects legitimate traffic to malicious websites.

The standard port for DNS is port 53. DNS client applications use the DNS protocol to query and request information from DNS servers, and the server returns the results to the client using the same port. Port 53 is used for both TCP and UDP communication.

The purpose of DNS is to translate a domain name into the appropriate IP address.

What are the different types of DNS messages? ›

The DNS protocol uses two types of DNS messages, queries and responses; both have the same format. Each message consists of a header and four sections: question, answer, authority, and an additional space.

DNS is a system for computers and services connected to the Internet that resolves domain names to IP addresses. It converts human readable domain names (www.google.com) into Internet Protocol (IP) addresses (173.194. 39.78).

What are the different types of DNS server? All DNS servers fall into one of four categories: Recursive resolvers, root nameservers, TLD nameservers, and authoritative nameservers.

The key rule is to only serve replies to queries regarding your own domains, which the DNS is authoritative for. Recursion should only be allowed from localhost. Running your own nameserver will require additional firewall settings, as you must also enable inbound DNS queries.

DNS settings are specified in the TCP/IP Properties window for the selected network connection. Go to the Control Panel. Click Network and Internet > Network and Sharing Center > Change adapter settings.

The Domain Name System (DNS) is one of the foundations of the internet, working in the background to match the names of web sites that people type into a search box with the corresponding IP address, a long string of numbers that no one could be expected to remember.