Overview
The Domain Name System (DNS) is often called the “phonebook of the internet.” It translates human-friendly website names (like www.example.com) into machine-readable IP addresses (such as 192.0.2.1). Without DNS, users would need to remember long strings of numbers to access websites and online services.
How It Works
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Resolution: When you type a web address, your request goes to a DNS resolver that looks up the matching IP address.
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Hierarchy: DNS operates in a distributed structure with root servers, top-level domain (TLD) servers (like .com, .org), and authoritative servers for each domain.
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Caching: To speed things up, DNS servers and browsers cache recent lookups so they do not need to repeat queries.
Key Features
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Global reach: Enables seamless navigation across the entire internet.
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Scalability: Supports billions of lookups daily through its distributed design.
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Flexibility: Used not just for websites, but also for services like email and cloud applications.
Business Importance
For enterprises, DNS reliability and security are critical. Downtime or DNS hijacking can disrupt websites, cloud services, and communications. Many organisations use secure DNS services to block malicious domains, prevent phishing, and ensure continuous availability.
