Understand the Domain Name System

Ever wonder why DNS systems came into existence? Efficiency. Every computer has a distinct IP address, and the Internet needed an elite method for obtaining these addresses and for managing the system as a whole. Enter ICANN.

The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Number manages the DNS root of the Internet domain namespace. ICANN's role is to manage the assignment of identifiers, ensuring that all users have unique names.

The DNS system is run by a series of servers called DNS servers. ICANN manages the root DNS domains, under which are the top-level domains.
It also manages:

Organizational domains
Geographical domains
Reverse domains

Beneath the top-level domains are other naming authorities such as Nominet, the UK's naming authority.

How does a DNS Query work?

The process occurs in two parts. Firstly, a name query begins at a client computer and is passed to DNS client service for resolution. When the query cannot be resolved locally, DNS servers are queried.

For example, when a web browser calls the fully qualified domain name www.discountdomainsuk.com, the request is passed on to the DNS client service to resolve the name by using locally cached information. If the query is held in the cache, then the process is complete.

If, however, the query cannot be answered locally, the DNS client service uses a server list (ordered in sequence) to query external DNS servers. When a DNS server receives a query, it first checks to see if it is authoritive for that domain name. If it is authoritive, it resolves the name, and the process is complete.

If the DNS server is unable to resolve the query, it in turns queries other DNS servers, using a process known as recursion. DNS servers make use of root hints to assist in locating DNS servers, which are able to provide the required result. In this way, DNS queries are minimised and the Internet is able to operate quickly and effectively.

A typical query may run as follows:

Client contacts Nameserver A looking for www.discountdomainsuk.com.

Nameserver A checks its cache, but can't answer, so it queries a server authoritive for the Internet root.

The root server responds with a referral to a server authoritive for the .com domains. NameserverA queries the the .com server and gets referred to the server authoritive for www.discountdomainsuk.com.

Nameserver A queries this server and gets the IP address for www.discountdomainsuk.com.

Nameserver A replies to the client with the IP address.

Queries can return answers that are authoritive, positive, negative or referral in nature. In the event of a negative answer, another DNS server is queried.

Clare Lawrence is CEO of Discount Domains Ltd ? A leading UK provider of Domain name registration and Web Hosting services. Please feel free to re-publish this article provided this reference box remains together with a hyperlink to http://www.discountdomainsuk.com Clare can also be contacted on clare@discountdomainsuk.com

---

Choosing Your Domain Name ? Internet Marketing

This is actually an important key to your business and... Read More

How to Get Rich Playing With WORDS!

How many times have you read or heard on the... Read More

Warning: Your Domain Name Could Infringe On Trademark Rights!

If you have or are about to purchase a domain... Read More

Earn Money With Parked Domain Names

Do you have domain names that you are not currently... Read More

How To Buy And Sell Domain Names Part Time For Profit Part 2

Let's just take a quick glimpse at what we've done... Read More

How to Profit from Expired Domain Name Registration

After the dot com crash, expired domain names and expired... Read More

E-Business: Domain Names - Bad Faith

Ian McMillan registered the internet domain name TrivialPursuits.net and won... Read More

How to Choose the Right Domain Name

What's in a name? Everything! A domain name is the... Read More

ICANN Registrar: Great promotion by is-domains!

ICANN accredited registar Secura is announcing today, that the company... Read More

How To Really Profit from Domain Names

Have you heard about domain names that sold for over... Read More

Domain Name Trademarks

As your Internet business grows, the value of your domain... Read More

How to Sell your Website

There are hundreds and thousands of websites on the internet... Read More

Whats in a Domain Name?

You've decided to start up your own website. You've weighed... Read More

WhyYouNeedThatPerfectName.com!

"What's in a name? That which we call a rose,... Read More

What?s In A Domain Name?

Choosing a domain name is a very important first step... Read More

Customer Excellence Returns to Web Site Hosting!

For those of you with Web sites, you probably know... Read More

Domain Name Forwarding and Search Engines

You own a single site, but several domains - perhaps... Read More

Detagged Domains

What is a DETAGGED domain name? We get asked this... Read More

Think All the Good Domain Names are Taken?

Have you heard of the other tlds (top leve domains)... Read More

How to Conduct a Domain Name Search and Why Your Domain Name Matters for Long Term Branding

Creating a website is not just about designing your pages... Read More

Free eBook: Business Domain Names

Since every website needs a name, Dr. Steve Baba has... Read More

What is a Domain Name and Where to Register?

A domain name is an alias for an IP address.... Read More

Deleted Domains Can Kickstart a New Website

Are you getting ready to launch a new website online... Read More

Domain Name Registration - Key Tips

Domain name registration is a necessary, easy, and strategically important... Read More

Domain Names 101 - A Dummies Guide to Choosing Great Domain Names

When it comes to choosing your domain name, do not... Read More

Its Raining ccTLDs

By now you've probably noticed the onslaught of unfamiliar domain... Read More

Domain Name: Why Do You Need One Anyway?

I come across sites all the time that are obviously... Read More

A Very Simple 3 Step Process To Find That Perfect Domain Name Using Some Free Online Tools

So you finally decided you want your very own home... Read More

Selecting Your Domain Name - Things to consider

Selecting your domain name Selecting a domain name can be... Read More

The Sub-Domain - An Affiliates Friend

It's surprising, at least to me, the amount of Affiliates... Read More

Secrets of Expired Domain Name Traffic

One of the biggest challenges to a webmaster is how... Read More

How to Register an Expiring Domain

Understanding the process and options involved with registering an expiring... Read More

Public Domain Works Are Closer Than They Appear

Searching for public domain works can be a tedious job... Read More