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

---

Domain Names

Domain names are relatively straightforward! Or at least that's the... Read More

Got a Small Business? Choose the Right Domain Name

Choosing a domain name can be daunting. Research the subject... Read More

Understand the Domain Name System

Ever wonder why DNS systems came into existence? Efficiency. Every... Read More

Dot Com or Dot Net, Which is the Best Domain Name to Settle for?

When seeking domain names most people get confused over whether... Read More

ICANN or I CANNot that is the Question

Well, it seems we should all be very busy registering... Read More

Making Money with Expired Domains

There are billions of websites and thousands more popping up... Read More

Choosing A Domain Name

--About Domain Names--Choosing a domain name for your web site... Read More

Tips and Tricks To Getting Top Money for your Domain Names

Would you like to be that lucky person who sells... Read More

Your Domain Name, Your Business Address

Would you purchase anything from someone with a "@yahoo.com" or... Read More

Instant Traffic Using Expired Domains

Every day thousands of domains 'expire' and are put back... Read More

Domain Name Trademarks

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

Protecting Your Domain Names

Domain Dispute is no longer news unless a Madonna or... Read More

Information on Domain Names

It's been two years since John started his online business.... Read More

Whats In A (TLD) Name?

They're pushing for a top level domain (TLD) exclusively for... Read More

5 Tips For the Perfect Domain Name

What is a domain name? A domain name is the... Read More

How to Get Rich Playing With WORDS!

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

10 Things to Ponder when Picking Your .com

1. Proper names VS Common Names. First of all there... Read More

How To Boost Affiliate Profits Using Secret Domain Tricks

Want to increase your affiliate link click-through rates and profits?Then... Read More

Get Your Own Domain Name Or Die Online

Would you buy from someone with an "@yahoo.com" e-mail address?... Read More

Five Ways To Profit From Public Domain Information

Ever wondered why Walt Disney never got sued for intellectual... Read More

Making Money from Parked Domains

Let me tell you a true story. A friend of... Read More

The Value of a Good Domain Name

Domain names to the internet are the as necessary as... 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

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

The Power of Domain Names in Marketing

Purchasing your own domain is inexpensive and very effective for... Read More

1-800-Get-Rich Can Toll Free 800 Number Domains Pay Off?

The toll free number 1-800-Get-Rich belongs to the Resorts Casino... Read More

The Sub-Domain - An Affiliates Friend

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

Do You Have a Good .Com Name? What is One So Important!

A domain can leave an imprint on the mind of... Read More

The truth about hyphenated domain names

There is a lot of confusion about the use of... Read More

Does the Length of a Domain Registration Affect Your Search Engine Rank?

Does the length of your website's domain name registration affect... Read More

Domain Name Registration and Privacy

The internet is a wonderful thing, except for a few... Read More

Signing up for a Domain Name? Consider Private Registration

A plethora of websites exists to register a domain name.... Read More

Eu-Domains For Everybody

Cologne,10 July 2004. ICANN accredited registar Secura announces today, that... Read More