DNS - Domain Name System. Basics, Part 1

You like just to sit at your computer, open your favorite Internet browser, type domain of web page and surf? We all do, but what is mechanism that lies behind that cosy Internet surfing. That mechanism is called Domain Name System or DNS.

DNS is not the only mechanism that enables us to surf on the Internet, but certainly makes it a lot easier. What DNS exactly does? Let's put it this way, it enables you to reach your destination by name rather than its numerical address. I think you'll agree when I say that is lot easier to type: www.google.com than to remember (and to type): 173.194.69.99, which BTW is only one of Googles IP addresses.

Domain Name System is hierarchical distributed naming system for computers, services, or any resource connected to the Internet or a private network. It associates various information with domain names assigned to each of the participating entities. Most importantly, it connects domain names meaningful to humans with the numerical identifiers associated with networking equipment for the purpose of locating and addressing these devices worldwide.

 The Domain Name System distributes the responsibility of assigning domain names and mapping those names to IP addresses by designating authoritative name servers for each domain. Authoritative name servers are assigned to be responsible for their particular domains, and in turn can assign other authoritative name servers for their sub-domains. This mechanism has made the DNS distributed and fault tolerant and has helped avoid the need for a single central register to be continually consulted and updated.

In general, the Domain Name System also stores other types of information, such as the list of mail servers that accept email for a given Internet domain. By providing a worldwide, distributed keyword-based redirection service, the Domain Name System is an essential component of the functionality of the Internet.

In next part of DNS tutorial we will take a close look at structure of DNS space, zones, etc...

Stay with us, we'll be back very soon.