DNS (Domain Name System or Server) ensures a proper working of websites in the world of the Internet. It forms one of the largest databases on the web. Its main function is to translate the alpha domain name entered into the browser to numeric IP (Internet Protocol) address. This address is then comprehended by computers. A typical IP address takes the notation like 192.168.1.254 where the numbers can be anything ranging from 0 to 255.
Understanding the Need.
Every website we visit has a different IP address and as it consists of decimal notations, it is never easy to acquire them into memory. Instead of numbers, it is easier for us to remember words. This is about domain names which are recorded by DNS in the form of mappings along with IP addresses.
The server name is usually known from where you host your sites and based on the domain registration for different web host servers. The primary and secondary names are known with the help of DNS server.
Working Principle of DNS.
The two basic components of DNS are "Nameserver" and "Resolver". Working of DNS is mainly controlled by these two components and DNS follows the method of Caching for its smooth operation.
Nameserver has been further divided into two parts namely "Parent Nameserver" and "Your Own Nameserver". While procuring your domain, specifying the nameserver, which should be used by the domain, is important. This information is collected and sent to parent nameservers. Once the parent nameserver replies back with the specified names of the nameservers you gave and the rest is the function of resolver.
Resolver contains the whole list of nameservers. You can visit the Nameservers option in Reseller Level and come up with a new nameserver. This can be done by either way by visiting your domain's zone. Reaching your "domain dot com" zone via Admin level and adding the records for IP addresses like 192.168.1.254 and 192.168.1.100 as subdomains, makes you all ready for resolving the values. After this you are set to register the same as nameservers.
Caching Process is a very familiar term for DNS action. Whenever any nameserver collects information about mapping, the information gets cached. Any auxiliary queries based on same mapping uses the previous cached result, which definitely reduces the cost incurred in search. The TTL (Time to Live) component present in caching decides the longevity of caching any piece of information.
A Working Example.
Suppose you have decided to enter a URL into your browser box and you entered it. Now after you allowed it to process on the web, it gets onto the web and seeks for a DNS server to resolve the alpha address to numeric form called IP address. When the URL gets matched with the IP address, you would soon get a returned IP address. Now this IP address is utilized by your browser to load the page you are interested in.