When you type a website address like “what.edu.vn”, your computer needs to find the website’s location on the internet. Websites are actually located at numerical addresses called IP addresses. A DNS server makes this translation possible.
The Internet’s Phonebook: DNS Servers
A DNS (Domain Name System) server acts like the internet’s phonebook. It translates human-readable domain names (like “example.com”) into IP addresses that computers use to connect to servers. Without DNS, navigating the internet would require remembering and typing complex IP addresses for every website.
Recursive and Authoritative DNS Servers
There are two main types of DNS servers. Recursive DNS servers are your first point of contact. These servers, often provided by your ISP or public services like Google DNS, search for the IP address on your behalf. Authoritative DNS servers hold the definitive DNS records for specific domains. Recursive servers query authoritative servers to find the correct IP address.
Simplified DNS Lookup
When you enter a domain name, your computer queries a recursive DNS server. If it doesn’t know the IP address, the recursive server queries authoritative servers until it finds the correct IP address. This IP address is then sent back to your computer, allowing you to access the website.
In essence, DNS servers are essential for a user-friendly internet, bridging the gap between domain names and the IP addresses that power the web.
