DNS (Domain Name System) is a network server that converts the given name into technical data and information. It is used to find the numerical IP address of an alphabetic domain name on the internet.
FAW: Understanding DNS Servers and IP Addresses
For most people, accessing websites and applications on the Internet is second nature. All they need to do is type in the domain name of a website, hit enter, and voila! The website loads up and they are able to browse away. But what happens behind the scenes that allows for this seamless experience? Enter DNS servers and IP addresses.
WHAT are DNS servers?
DNS (Domain Name System) servers act as a sort of “phone book” for the Internet. They translate human-friendly domain names (such as www.google.com) into the IP addresses that computers use to identify each other on the Internet. Without DNS servers, we would have to memorize numerical IP addresses for every website we want to visit, making the Internet much more difficult to use.
When a user types a domain name into their web browser and hits enter, the browser sends a query to the DNS servers associated with their Internet Service Provider (ISP). The DNS server responds with the corresponding IP address, which the browser uses to connect to the website or application.
WHAT are IP addresses?
An IP (Internet Protocol) address is a unique identifier assigned to every device that connects to the Internet. It consists of a series of four numbers separated by dots (e.g. 192.168.0.1). IP addresses are necessary for devices to communicate with each other on the Internet, much like how phone numbers allow us to call and text each other.
There are two types of IP addresses: IPv4 and IPv6. IPv4 addresses are 32-bit numbers and are the more commonly used type of IP address. However, with the explosion of devices connected to the Internet, IPv4 addresses are quickly running out. IPv6 addresses are 128-bit numbers and provide a much larger pool of available addresses.
How do DNS servers and IP addresses work together?
When a user types in a domain name, the DNS server responsible for that domain name is queried for the corresponding IP address. Once the IP address is obtained, the user’s browser sends a request to that IP address asking for the webpage or application associated with the domain name.
For example, let’s say a user types in the domain name “computerlanguage.com”. The DNS server responsible for “computerlanguage.com” is queried and responds with the IP address “192.168.0.1”. The user’s browser then sends a request to “192.168.0.1” asking for the webpage associated with “computerlanguage.com”.
Conclusion
Without DNS servers and IP addresses, the Internet as we know it would not exist. They work seamlessly together to make navigating the vast and complex network of devices and websites on the Internet possible. Understanding how they work is important for anyone who uses the Internet, and can help troubleshoot issues when things go wrong.
