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Understanding DNS: The Backbone of Your Online Experience

DNS plays an important role in converting domain names into IP addresses to access websites on the Internet. Clearly understand What is DNS?, the way this tool works and functions will help you optimize your web surfing experience as well as improve access speed. This article will provide detailed instructions on DNS and how to use DNS most effectively to improve security and network connection performance. 

1. What is DNS? 

DNS, short for Domain Name System, is a domain name management and resolution system that helps determine the IP addresses corresponding to websites or resources on the Internet. When you enter a URL into your browser, DNS is used to find out the IP address of the server containing that website, helping the browser connect correctly.

DNS is a domain name management and resolution system

In addition to resolving domain names for websites, DNS also supports other services such as email addresses, FTP servers and many other network services. Furthermore, DNS also provides security features such as digital signatures and encryption, to protect information when transmitted over the network.

2. What is DNS used for?

Outside What is DNS?, many people also wonder what DNS is used for? It can be said, DNS Server plays an important role in converting domain names into IP addresses, allowing browsers to access and connect to websites or resources on the internet. Specifically, DNS Server has the following functions:

  • Domain name resolution: DNS Server converts the domain name of a website into the IP address of the server containing that website. When a user enters a domain name into the browser, the system will send a request to DNS Server to find the corresponding IP address.

  • Storing DNS information: DNS Server stores data related to domain names and IP addresses. When there is a search request, the system will query from its database to determine the IP address associated with that domain name.

  • Update DNS information: DNS Server can be set up to automatically or manually update information about domain names and IP addresses. Network administrators or DNS management tools will do this.

  • Increase access speed: DNS Server improves access speed by storing DNS information in cache. This helps shorten query response time by retrieving data from cache instead of querying to another server.

  • DNS information security: DNS Server can be configured to protect the security of DNS data through measures such as encryption, digital signatures, and user authentication. These features help ensure that DNS information is transmitted securely, preventing it from being stolen.

DNS Server plays an important role in converting domain names into IP addresses

3. Mechanism of DNS operation

From concept What is DNS?, it can be inferred that qDNS operations take place through the following steps:

  • User enters domain name: When a user enters a domain name like example.com into the browser, their device sends a request to the local DNS server to resolve that domain name.

  • Query to local DNS server: The local DNS server receives a request from the user device and starts looking for information in the cache.

  • Query to authoritative DNS server: If the local server does not find the information in the cache, it will continue to send requests to authoritative DNS servers, which contain official information about the domain name.

  • The authoritative DNS server responded: The authoritative DNS server returns the IP address corresponding to the requested domain name to the local DNS server.

  • Complete the query: The local DNS server then sends this IP address back to the user's device.

  • Connect to IP address: Finally, the user's device uses the received IP address to connect directly to the web server containing the content they are looking for.

The DNS operation process includes 6 steps

4. Types of DNS records

DNS uses many different types of records to manage and direct domain names to specific IP addresses or services. Each type of DNS record plays its own role in managing domain names and connecting internet services. Here are the main types of DNS records and their functions:

  • CNAME Record: This record allows creating a subdomain and pointing it to the main domain, and can also set a TTL (Time to Live). If you want your main domain to have different subnames, a CNAME is the record needed to make this happen.

  • A Record: This is the most common type of record, used to point a domain name to a specific IP address. The A record helps you specify the IP address the domain name should point to, along with setting up the TTL and adding new names if needed.

  • MX Record: This record is used to specify the email server for the domain. With MX Record, you can point the domain name to the mail server, set mail server priority, and set TTL. This record is especially important for managing the domain's email service.

  • AAAA Record: If you need to point a domain name to an IPv6 address, you will use AAAA Record. This record type allows additional information such as IPv6 address, new host, and TTL.

  • TXT Record: This record allows storing text information related to the domain name. You can add TXT values, new hostname, pointing address, and TTL. This type of record is often used to authenticate domain ownership or store service-related configuration information.

  • SRV Record: SRV records help identify which services are active on a particular port. This is a special type of DNS record that allows you to add information such as service name, priority, connection port, weight, and pointing address.

  • NS Record: NS records are used to specify DNS servers for each subdomain. With this record, you can create DNS (Name Server) names, add new hosts, and set TTL for each subdomain.

DNS uses many different types of records to manage and navigate domain names

 

5. Classification of DNS Server

DNS Server is classified into the following main types:

5.1 Root Name Server

Root Name Server is an important component in the DNS system, responsible for providing basic information about higher-level DNS servers. Specifically:

  • Function: Root Name Server stores information about authoritative DNS servers for top-level domains (TLD). When a DNS query is sent, the Root Name Server provides the address of the authoritative DNS server for the TLD domains involved.

  • Operation process: When a DNS query is performed, the Root Name Server is the starting point. It performs a search to determine the address of the authoritative DNS server for top-level domains, and from there, the query continues to be sent to lower-level DNS servers, until the information is found. necessary information. This allows users to search for any domain name across the entire domain name space.

  • Availability: To ensure high availability, there are 13 Root Name Server server systems on the Internet, distributed in many different locations. This helps ensure that if one server goes down, other servers can continue to serve DNS queries.

The Root Name Server is responsible for providing basic information about higher level DNS servers

5.2 Local Name Server

Local Name Server (local domain name server) acts as an intermediary during the DNS lookup process, with the following characteristics:

  • Function: Local Name Server stores information about lower-level domains and is responsible for handling DNS requests from users or devices on the internal network. This server usually belongs to businesses or Internet service providers (ISP).

  • Operation process: When a user sends a request to access a domain name, the Local Name Server searches its cache for information. If not found, it will send queries to authoritative DNS servers to get the necessary information and then return the results to the user device.

  • Availability: Local Name Servers are often maintained by organizations and ISPs to ensure good performance and reduce access time for users.

Local Name Server acts as an intermediary during the DNS lookup process

6. Working principle of DNS configuration

The basic principle of DNS is to convert domain names (eg example.com) to the corresponding IP address (like 192.0.2.1), to establish a connection on the Internet. This process helps users easily access network resources by using easy-to-remember domain names instead of having to remember long and complicated IP addresses.

The basic principle of DNS is to convert domain names into corresponding IP addresses

7. How to use DNS simply and quickly

Choosing the right DNS Server can improve your internet access speed. Here is a quick guide to changing DNS Server on your computer:

Step 1: Open Control Panel: Click the Start menu and search for "Control Panel."

Step 2: Access network status: Go to "View network status and tasks" to view your network information.

Step 3: Select current network: Select the internet connection you are using.

Step 4: Open Properties: Click the "Properties" button to change network settings.

  • Select Internet Protocol Version 4: Find and select "Internet Protocol Version 4" in the list.

  • Update DNS: Select "Use the following DNS server addresses" and enter your new DNS address.

Step 5: Click "OK" to save changes. You have completed changing DNS Server and can test your network speed.

Choosing the right DNS Server can improve your internet access speed

8. Compare Public DNS and Private DNS

Public DNS and Private DNS have clear differences in how they are used and managed:

  • Public DNS: This is a type of public DNS Server, allowing anyone on the internet to access it without authentication. Public DNS is often used to improve access speed and security for individual users.

  • Private DNS: Deployed by organizations or businesses to manage and control domain name resolution in their internal networks. Private DNS is not part of the global DNS infrastructure but only operates within the organization or business's network, providing better security and control.

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Hopefully through the above article you have understood clearly What is DNS? as well as how to make the most of this tool. Don't forget to contact Hidemyacc to try the software for free 7 days, combine Proxy with Hidemyacc to manage multiple accounts and increase security when browsing the web!