An Introduction to Basic DNS Concepts

Computers share information in much the same way as we communicate through the postal service. We write a letter to someone, address an envelope, mail it and the postal system delivers it. Computers share information and communicate through the Domain Name System, which is also called a DNS. The DNS is what allows millions of computers to communicate with each other.

Each computer that’s on the internet is given an IP address such as 209.100.02.03. The IP addresses are associated with a domain name. With so many computers throughout the world, how do we keep track of them?  DNS Servers and Name Registrars allow us to be able to keep track of everyone on the web. Just what do Name Registrars and DNS Servers do?

The Name Registrars keep track of the domain names. When you first get your domain name through one of the organizations, they send this information to the Name Registrars and it’s kept inside the DNS Server. The DNS can be either software, hardware or both and is responsible for tracking the IP Address /Domain Name combo from one location to another. For instance, if someone comes on your computer and does something illegal, they can trace it back to YOUR IP Address or Domain Name.

When you do a Google search, the DNS is the thing that translates that a request is coming from your IP address and going to Google’s IP. It starts in your browser, going over the network and returns back to your browser. It sounds complicated but it’s actually easy to understand after awhile.  DNS servers may be just having the job of translating names into IP addresses. They may also have the special job of translating names and IP addresses and forwarding them or they may just be part of a server and hold information and data, store emails and perform similar functions.