Year: 2021

DDoS protection DNS

How can you reduce the risks with DDoS protected DNS?

by Gia

DDoS protected DNS is an additional beneficial service. Let’s explain a little bit more about it.

DDoS attack – What is it?

The DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack is a cyber-attack that aims to disable your service, network, website. That usually happens by sending a serious amount of traffic until your server goes down, or they exploit the DNS or protocol such as the UDP flaw and triple your website or application.

There are a lot of different DDoS attacks, and oftentimes they bring down even big companies, for instance, Amazon. Therefore, if you don’t have proper protection, you are risking a lot. In addition, in case you are utilizing shared hosting, such an attack on any of your “neighbors” is going to reflect on you too.

What is DDoS protected DNS?

DDoS protected DNS is an additional service that includes several different tools and mechanisms to inspect traffic and prevent DDoS attacks. Cybercriminals organize and initiate DDoS attacks with large amounts of traffic. Their main goal is to make your servers incapable of responding to the queries of your regular users.

What does DDoS protected DNS include?

  • Monitor. Monitor the entire incoming DNS traffic. In case it detects an abnormal pattern, it could take different actions to prevent a potential DDoS attack towards your website. For that reason, acknowledging the traffic is crucial. 
  • Deep analysis of the traffic. The best understanding of the standard patterns of the traffic and use them for comparison. 
  • Filter. Implementing a filter of the incoming traffic depending on whitelisting or blacklisting and different criteria. The prevention can determine and eliminate malicious traffic. 
  • Traffic separation. Comprehend what regular user traffic is and what fake traffic is. 
  • Spread the traffic. In some situations, only a load balancing technique could be enough to distribute the fake traffic. That way, the DNS servers are going to share the load and withstand the attack. 
  • Activate Failovers. If one of your servers goes down, it is going to inform you about the event. In addition, it is going to redirect the traffic to the remaining DNS servers. You won’t need a human operator to accomplish that, and it is going to be performed automatically. 

​Why should you get DDoS protected DNS?

  • Downtime. If you decide to implement DDoS protection, your servers are going to handle a lot more traffic even under a DDoS attack. So, as a result, the downtime is going to be significantly less. Your customers won’t be bothered to reach your application or website. 
  • Easy to manage. Basic DNS knowledge is all you need, and it will be very simple. You just have to set it up, and from there, the monitors and failover tool are able to operate by themselves. Just in cases when the attack is very strong, your IT team and the customer service of the DNS provider together are going to have to fight the DDoS attack. 
  • Great performance. The DNS service provider could give you a better distribution of traffic. Your website or application is going to remain available for your visitors even under attack. That way, the productivity, and performance are excellent.
  • It is more profitable. Downtime could cost a lot. Imagine your services or a website not being available for your customers. You are going to lose a lot of potential purchases and earnings. So, you see that DDoS-protected DNS service is really worth it. 
DNS

Benefits of using a Secondary DNS zone

by Gia

What is a Secondary DNS zone?

The Secondary DNS zone represents a read-only copy of the DNS data (DNS records)of the Primary (Master) DNS zone. You could find it also called Backup or Slave DNS zone. It is very important to note that for the various DNS records, for instance, A, AAAA, MX, TXT records, and many more, it is not possible to add them directly into the Secondary DNS zone. 

Why is a Secondary DNS server important?

The only method for the Secondary DNS zone to obtain the DNS data is by getting them from the Primary (Master) DNS zone of the DNS server. For that purpose, it is necessary a process called DNS zone transfer to be completed. 

The Backup DNS zone can serve in several ways, yet one of the main ideas for creating it is for backup. That way, if, for some reason, your Primary DNS zone is not operating, that won’t bother you. Your Backup DNS zone is going to assist in such situations and answer the requests thanks to its copy.

Benefits

Redundancy: In case your Primary DNS zone is incapable of answering, the Slave DNS zone will provide redundancy. If there is no Secondary DNS zone, if the primary DNS zone fails, your website is going to become unavailable, and users won’t be able to access your content.

Build a reliable DNS management: DNS servers that store the DNS zones could become victims of security threats. The one that is most commonly used is Distributed Denial of Service attack (DDoS attack). By setting up a DNS provider with DDoS protection and placing your Slave DNS zone there, you could protect yourself from malicious DDoS attacks.

Distributing the load: When you add a Slave DNS zone, you could provide a faster response to DNS queries. 

DNS zone transfer – Types

The process called DNS zone transfer is an easy and simple task to complete. It makes a duplicate of the DNS data (DNS records) created in the Primary DNS zone to the Secondary DNS zone.

There are two types of DNS zone transfer that you could make:

  • Full zone transfer (AXFR zone transfer). With this type, you could make a copy of all the DNS records from the Primary DNS zone to the Secondary DNS zone. It is great to use it when you haven’t updated the Secondary for a long period of time, and you want to be sure that everything is up to date. Another case when it is commonly used is for a new Backup DNS zone, and you have to import the entire information.
  • Incremental zone transfer (IXFR zone transfer). This type is very useful when you want to update only the latest changes in your DNS information from your Primary DNS zone to the Slave DNS zone. That way, only the modifications will update, and it is going to use fewer network resources. It is easy and practical!
DNS Network

The Ultimate Guide to DNS Propagation

by Gia

What does DNS propagation mean?

DNS propagation is a process that includes updating and spreading the new changes and adjustments you create in your Domain Name System (DNS). They have to be distributed across the entire network. 

Why the DNS propagation takes so long?

Managing your online business or administrating a network involves constant changes on the DNS. Some of the possible scenarios are when you have to add a new DNS record, delete or change some other DNS records, also replace IP addresses. Maybe you desire to make some adjustments on the TTL (time-to-live) values, redirect your visitors to a specific subdomain, or add an SSL certificate. These are only for illustration of how many different modifications of your DNS could appear. 

Actually, no matter what changes you desire to make, all of them are going to be stored on your authoritative DNS server. However, the network has many more DNS servers, like recursive DNS servers, positioned in different locations globally. Each one of these servers has to receive the updated data because if that doesn’t happen, they are going to have some difficulties operating properly. All of those DNS servers have a fundamental part of the DNS resolution process.

How does the DNS propagation work?

For several situations, DNS changes are required. Typical cases are when you desire to make some renovation to your website or when you migrate to a new DNS hosting provider. Different circumstances that can need it are redirecting from the primary domain to subdomains or implementing services, such as FTP and email. All of these circumstances incorporate activities, such as creating, editing, or removing DNS records. 

The administrator is going to make these corrections directly on the authoritative DNS server. Once the modifications are ready and saved inside it, it is time for the DNS propagation process to happen. That requires every DNS server on the network to obtain a copy with the latest DNS records. 

The DNS propagation process is rolling, although that doesn’t mean that it occurs simultaneously for all servers. 

How to check it?

Here you have three options to make a check on the DNS propagation. Decide depending on your operating system (OS).

For Linux and macOS users, here you have the Dig command.

First, open your Terminal, and next write: 

dig domainname.com 

It will trigger a lookup for an A or AAAA record. As a result, you are going to view the IP addresses of your website. If they have changed, DNS propagation is completed. If they haven’t, it will require a little more time.

*Replace with your domain name and TLD instead of the ones in the example.

For Windows 10 users, here you have the Nslookup command.

Open the Command Prompt, and then type: 

nslookup domainname.com

Once again, the lookup result is going to show out if your website’s IP addresses have changed or not.

*Replace with your domain name and TLD instead of the ones in the example.

Online checkers of DNS propagation.

You could use online tools for making DNS lookups to review data associated with your domain name. In addition, you can examine if the DNS modifications you created have been updated. 

DNS DNS records

Top 5 DNS record types for starters

by Gia

In case you are just starting to manage your DNS, these top 5 DNS record types are fundamental to know. So, let’s explain a little bit more about them.

A record

The A record is also commonly called address record, and it is perhaps the most popular of all DNS record types. Its purpose is to link a domain name to its corresponding IP address (IPV4 address). When a user makes a request for a particular domain name, exactly the A record is needed to show the accurate IP address.

Although it is a very simple DNS record, it is a crucial part of the DNS configuration. Your domain name could not be resolved without this type of DNS record (or AAAA record). Moreover, your users are not going to be directed to the correct location.

SOA record

SOA record is another critical DNS record that symbolizes the start of authority. It holds administrative information about the zone. It is the first DNS record that a DNS zone file includes, plus it establishes the general properties of that zone. It also holds data concerning the DNS zone transfers, such as the refresh rate, the retry rate, and the administrator’s email.

The SOA record serves as a control record with a serial number and shows if there is a new update. Once the Secondary DNS servers detect a change in the number, they are going to update and receive the latest data.

NS record

The NS record is another very basic DNS record. NS stands for the nameserver, and it is similar to an ID card for the nameserver. The NS record describes which name server is accountable for the particular DNS zone. If such a record is not available, the zone won’t be able to work.

MX record

Another piece of the essential DNS record types, the MX record, which comes from Mail Exchanger record. Its purpose is to point the email server accountable for receiving emails for a specific domain name. It contains the domain name pointing to the hostname of the incoming mail server. Note that it has to point to a hostname and not to an IP address.

By establishing multiple MX records with different priorities, you could set a backup in case some failures occur. It is vital for you in order to receive emails properly.

CNAME record

The CNAME record shows an actual, canonical domain name for the domain or subdomain. It is commonly used when we are talking about subdomains. By implementing this DNS record type, you are going to be able to manage and administrate your Domain Name System as easily as possible.

The way to achieve that is by simply adding a CNAME record for each of your subdomains and pointing it to the domain name. As a result, each time you complete any changes or adjustments to your domain, they will occur to your subdomains too. That is going to save you a lot of time!

Related article: PTR record: Why should you care about it?

DNS

Getting started with Dynamic DNS

by Gia

The administration of a domain or a network is a tough and full-time job. We frequently talk about IP addresses, and they are a good example. Just to administrate them and execute all the tasks related to them can take a lot of time. Therefore, technology has been developed, helpful tools to be in charge of such tasks and to give administrators a breathe.

What’s Dynamic DNS? 

Dynamic DNS (DDNS) is a method that allows you to update a name server automatically and frequently. DDNS can update almost in real-time, IP addresses whenever they change, and their associated A or AAAA records. So your administrator doesn’t have to do it manually!

Yes, IP addresses change constantly. As a common user, for sure, you don’t realize it, but businesses do. Think, for instance, a business that supplies one or more services via the Internet. All those changes represent the risk for its clients not getting access to the service and suffering downtime because they try with an IP address that’s not valid anymore.

If a business uses a consumer Internet provider and what’s to offer a service, it will have a lot of work to do. Work like having a person in charge of monitoring and changing the IP address manually when the Internet service provider (ISP) changes it. 

If you wonder why ISPs make such changes, there’s an explanation. They have a pool of IP addresses, meaning a limited number of them for working. Consider the number of clients they have and that a unique IP address is required for a single device connected to the network. They have to administrate this resource really smartly not to fail while supplying the service to their clients. 

Another choice is to pay for a static IP address, but this is high-cost. Not all businesses can afford it. 

And of course, they can use DDNS that is a more affordable, even free with some providers, and comfortable alternative. Whenever the IP addresses change, their corresponding domains will be fast remapped (DNS) to keep them available for clients.

Dynamic DNS providers. 

If you already feel Dynamic DNS is the solution you were looking for, here you have some quality providers.

ClouDNS

ClouDNS has 34 DNS locations in the world, and easy to install for different OSes and network devices.

It offers a free Dynamic DNS plan that can be a solid starting point for many. But of course, there’s a Premium DNS more robust, and it starts at $2.95 monthly if your needs are bigger. 

Dynu

Dynu provides a free service! 12 nameservers worldwide, intuitive web-based control panel, easy to install, and convenient features. Most DNS records (A, AAAA, MX, CNAME, SRV, SPF, KEY, etc.), locations, wildcard alias, web redirect, offline settings, etc. 

No-IP 

No-IP has a free plan and paid ones. The free plan can feel tight, supporting only some DNS records and allowing only 3 hostnames that you must confirm every 30 days. The paid plans are a different story, with much more features by paying $24.95 or $29.95 yearly.

Top Affordable Premium DNS Hosting providers

Conclusion.

Getting Dynamic DNS can solve you a lot of IP addresses issues. It reduces human errors related to the manual management of this resource. And it’s a much more affordable service than having static IP addresses. Keep your business running by hiring a quality provider and without compromising your budget! 

DNS DNS records

How To Use SPF To Protect Your Domain reputation.

by Gia

The reputation of your business (domain) is an essential asset you must protect at all costs. It means a lot for your clients: trustability and reliability. These are strong triggers for them to pick you or to choose your competitors.

Crime techniques used on the Internet to cheat users get multiplied, and we must be very aware. In some cases, they use your positive domain reputation to defraud your own clients. 

​What is SPF?

The sender policy framework or SPF is a system for validating the legitimacy of an e-mail server. It’s a helpful and efficient system to avoid spoofing and to enhance e-mail servers’ reliability.

Having SPF, you can authorize the only e-mail servers that can send messages on behalf of your domain. 

How to create an SPF record?

​What is an SPF record?

To enable SPF, you have to add an SPF record for your domain name. An SPF record is a DNS record from the TXT DNS type. It holds the necessary information that allows verifying which e-mail servers are truly authorized to send messages from the name of your domain name.

Once the SPF record provides that information, the e-mail server can be verified, validated, or not.

Using the SPF record, specifically its qualifiers and mechanisms, you or your administrator can establish rules, as strict as you decide, to verify. 

DNS SPF mechanisms:

  • “include” allows adding more domains (like example.com to example.net) for sending e-mails from the mail servers of the domain where the SPF record is hosted.
  • “all”, all mechanisms after it are to be ignored.
  • “a”, if you pick A, it means the A or AAAA records have to match with the return path for e-mails to be allowed.
  • “ptr”, picking this means the PTR query has to be performed and to match the return path. Only if there’s a match, there’s allowance.
  • “mx”, picking this means an MX query has to be performed and to match the return path. Only if there’s a match, there’s allowance.
  • “exists”, used for complex queries.
  • “ip4”, checks A records exclusively to verify whether addresses correspond to the domain or not.
  • “ip6”, checks AAAA records exclusively to verify whether addresses correspond to the domain or not.

DNS SPF qualifiers:

  • “+” means PASS. Therefore, messages from the domain should be accepted. 
  • “-” means FAIL. Messages from the domain must be rejected.
  • “~” means SOFT TAIL. Messages from the domain should get a failed tag, but they can be allowed.
  • “?” means NEUTRAL. No policies are involved.

​How to use it to protect your domain reputation?

By enabling SPF, you will stop bad actors from sending e-mails from your domain. 

Your clients won’t receive malicious messages from your domain name, and you will avoid complaints and anger from them.

To prevent dangerous phishing is not minor. To be pointed as malicious, risky, or to be accused of stealing sensitive clients’ data can totally sink your domain’s reputation. 

Ensure that your legit messages successfully reach your clients and providers. 

You can plan the best promotions or punctually order new supplies. But if your messages can’t reach your clients or providers, results won’t be positive. This can happen because your e-mails go directly to the SPAM folder. If there’s no way to verify that your messages are legit, they can be discarded for security. 

Conclusion.

SPF is a great alley to protect your domain reputation. Avoid the risk of losing trustability, clients, or getting banned. Enable SPF!

Network

3 types of Load Balancing

by Gia

Load balancing is a method of traffic management that will redirect the incoming traffic to your multiple servers. That way, non of them will get all the traffic, they will be able to manage less traffic better, and your network will be stronger. Now we will look 3 types of Load Balancing and how do they differ from one another.

Network load balancing

The network load balancing is ideal for balancing TCP and UDP traffic from clients over the internet. It operates on Layer 4 (the transport layer) of the OSI model (Open Systems Interconnection Model). When the network load balancer receives the traffic, it uses its algorithm and directs the traffic to one of the predefined servers in its list. It opens a TCP connection on the designated port and forwards the requests without modifying them. Not modifying them, but also not inspecting them, which means that the traffic is not checked about malicious packets, not it is organized based on the type of traffic it is. The focus here is just to transfer the traffic to various servers that are on the network.

You can use it when you are expecting large TCP or UDP traffic spikes, and you want to keep the packets unchanged.

It is easy to set up, scalable and it can save you during times of extreme traffic.

Classic

The Classic load balancing is very similar to network load balancing. It also can manage TCP and UDP, but also SSL, HTTP, and HTTPS traffic. The big difference here is that it works both on Layer 4 and Layer 7 of the OSI model. It has 3 components: the Classic load balancing instances, Listeners, and the Back-end servers.

The CLB instances will capture the traffic and distribute it to the Backed servers.

The Listeners will check the Back-end servers and see if they are functional. If any of them is down, they will give instruction to the CLB not to direct traffic to them until they are back in order.

The Classic load balancing is relatively economical, easy to set up, and provides good availability.

It also supports sticky sessions, so if a client connects to a particular Back-end server, it will stick to it and won’t go and connect to another for the time of the session.

Application load balancing

The Application load balancing works only on layer 7 (the application layer) of the OSI model. Here the load balancer is more intelligent and uses many parameters like hostname, host location (IP address), port number, and other parameters of the query. It supports protocols like HTTP, HTTPS, and WebSockets. It supports a sticky session that keeps the session open and doesn’t redirect to another instance. The Application load balancer checks the Back-end servers for different parameters and can take more advanced decisions regarding traffic distribution. It has the same components as the Classic one: load balancers, listeners, and back-end servers.

These are the 3 types of Load Balancing. You should pay attention to the protocols they use and at what level of the OSI model they work to properly understand them.

DNS

Why is it important to use rDNS service?

by Gia

Did you configure the rDNS zone of your domain properly? Well, if you don’t remember, soon you will know it. Your e-mails will go missing or directly to the SPAM folder. When it’s about configuring your host, it’s not enough to set up only a Forward DNS zone. You need an rDNS zone too. 

From now you have a clue about why it is important to use rDNS service, and it’s not minor! But let’s dig a bit more into the topic.

​​What is rDNS?

The reverse DNS or rDNS is a service that allows the execution of reverse DNS lookups. A forward DNS maps domain names to their corresponding IP addresses. Reverse DNS maps IP addresses to domain names. 

Managed DNS plans usually include rDNS service. If not, providers offer it for you at a cost. What you can do when you have it, it’s to generate a reverse DNS zone. There you will add pointer or PTR records. They are useful to prove the match between the IP addresses and the domain name.

Servers from other enterprises can backtrack the IP address to the domain via the PTR records. This way, they can know everything is legit and be protected from scams. 

​​What is a PTR record?

A pointer or PTR record is a type of DNS record that associates an IP address and the hostname.

Whenever an administrator or a server has to verify if an IP address truly belongs to a specific domain, they execute an rDNS query and look for the PTR records in the reverse DNS zone. In case that the PTR record or records can’t be found, this can provoke an authentication issue and more. For instance, e-mails won’t be delivered correctly, or they will be considered SPAM.

​Why is it important to use rDNS service?

  • Basically, if you don’t set up the rDNS, the e-mail servers of people (clients, other companies, your providers, etc.) who want to send you e-mails won’t be able to verify your domain, and you might not be able to send or receive e-mails. Communication is essential for businesses!
  • It will support your reliability for clients as a legit product or service provider.
  • The rDNS service is very important for IP networks owners because they all need to perform reverse lookups. 
  • E-mails for everybody, but especially for businesses, are a professional way to communicate with clients, a way to close deals, or to get opportunities. Not ensuring that messages are correctly sent or received can really mean a loss for you and your pocket. 

​Best 3 rDNS providers. 

ClouDNS has suitable choices for all businesses sizes. As a reference, see its rDNS Premium S. costs $2.95 monthly. Moreover, its rDNS service is built on Anycast DNS network, meaning speed and security for you!

Constellix offers you a robust infrastructure and a different payment model. It doesn’t charge a subscription, only what you use (pay-per-usage). 

easyDNS is a reliable provider in the market since 1998. It’s easy to use, and its rDNS is available for $24.95 yearly. 

Top Affordable Premium DNS Hosting providers

​Conclusion.

To operate without rDNS is too risky for your business! E-mails that don’t reach their proper destination don’t exist for your clients. Don’t lose! Get a quality rDNS service and prevent problems. Remember that one stitch on time can save you nine later!

DNS

​Top Affordable Premium DNS Hosting providers

by Gia

When you think about DNS hosting providers and have seen just the big cloud providers like AWS, Microsoft, and Google, you might get scared of the price. Yes, these 3 can have high prices and very difficult to understand cost structures. But, don’t feel down. Here we have many more excellent affordable premium DNS hosting providers that won’t break your budget.

​ClouDNS

The most economical plan of ClouDNS starts at $2.95 per month and includes:

  • 25 DNS zones
  • 1000 DNS records
  • 5 000 000 queries per month
  • DNSSEC
  • Anycast DNS
  • Reverse DNS
  • Secondary DNS

The premium plans go between $2.95 (Premium S) and $79.95 (GeoDNS Business). A more expensive plan can get you more servers (4), more PoP (34), DDoS protection, GeoDNS, up to 400 DNS zones, 20 000 DNS records, and unlimited queries.

​Zilore

Zilore has a DNS plan starting at $5 per month and includes:

  • 5 domains
  • 1000 DNS records
  • 10 000 000 queries per month
  • DNSSEC
  • Anycast DNS
  • Web interface only
  • DDoS protection

The premium plans go between $5 (Personal) and 250 (Business)

In the other plans, the number of queries is unlimited, and it is the same with the number of DNS records. You can get Geo DNS, Failover IP, Lower TTL values (minimum of 1 minute), Statistics, web forwards (up to 10 per domain), API, SLA (99.95%).

​DNSimple

The prices of DNSimple start at $6 per month, and it includes:

  • 5 domains
  • Unlimited DNS records
  • Unlimited DNS queries
  • Anycast DNS
  • Secondary DNS
  • DNSSEC
  • 1 user

If you pay more, you can get the “Business” plan for $300 per month, including 100% SLA, Vanity servers, priority support, HTTPS redirects, DDoS Defence, and unlimited users.

​EasyDNS

The starter plan of EasyDNS begins at $20 per year ($1.66 per month) without a domain name registration, and it includes:

  • Unlimited DNS records
  • 1 000 000 queries per month
  • 15 PoP
  • 3 Anycast DNS servers
  • Dynamic DNS
  • DNSSEC
  • IPv6 support

Premium plans are from $20 per year (Standard) to $155 per year (Enterprise).

You will get up to 5 000 000 queries per month, up to 26 PoP, up to 4 Anycast DNS servers, up to 3 DNS failover, and Geo DNS.

​No-IP

Here, form No-IP you have only 1 Managed DNS plan – the Plus Managed DNS. It cost $29.95 per year ($2.50 per month).

  • 50 hostnames (DNS zones)
  • Unlimited queries per month
  • 100 PoP
  • Anycast DNS

​DNSmadeeasy

The cheapest plan from DNSmadeeasy starts at $5 per month and includes:

  • 25 domains
  • 7500
  • 10 000 000 queries per month
  • 3 failover records
  • API

The premium plans go between $5 (Business) and $125 (Corporate)

Here you get 50 domains, 15 000 DNS records, 50 000 000 queries per month, 3-factor verification, 10 Failover records.

​Namecheap

Namecheap Premium DNS starts at just $4.88 for the first year ($0.41 per month) and $9.98 per year for renewal ($0.83 per month).

  • 100% SLA
  • DNSSEC
  • +30 Anycast PoP
  • 2 000 000 queries per month
  • DDoS protection
  • ALIAS records

​GoDaddy

GoDaddy has only one plan called “Premium DNS”, and it cost $2.99 per month. It includes:

  • Unlimited DNS zones
  • 1500 DNS records per domain
  • 5 000 000 queries per month
  • DNSSEC
  • Anycast DNS
  • 99.99% SLA
  • Secondary DNS
  • Web forwards

​Conclusion

There are a lot of options out there. You can find great Premium DNS Hosting providers and plans that don’t cost an arm and a leg. Check them out and find which one best suits you. 

DNS

DNS – a key piece of the Internet

by Gia

DNS is one of the most important and essential pieces when it comes to the Internet. Without it, it will be very hard for humans to search, connect, and explore different websites. So, let’s explain a little bit more about it!

What is DNS?

Thanks to the Domain Name System (DNS), we are able to use the Internet as simple as it is in present days. However, it is an infrastructure with vast functionality. In its foundation is the database with all of the domain names and their corresponding IP addresses.

What is DNS management?

A long DNS process is triggered once a user types a domain name for connecting with it. So, the domain name has to be translated to a language that machines understand, which are the IP addresses. That is necessary because the machines communicate with one and another through numbers. Finally, when the IP address corresponding to the domain name is resolved, it can be delivered to the browser of the user. So, the user is able to reach and explore the website. In the time when DNS was not created yet, the user would have to type an IP address, for instance, 56.155.208.13. Instead, it is much easier to remember and type a domain name, for example, domain.com. Thus, DNS gave the opportunity for humans to use the Internet and successfully communicate with machines efficiently.

What is DNS used for?

  • It makes searching on the Internet flexible, easy, and simple.
  • The Domain resolution process is crucial.
  • Load balancing
  • DNS caching
  • Email servers and routing the messages
  • Additionally, for service’s routing
  • Verifying of services, servers, e-mails, and so on.

What is the structure of DNS?

The domain name space has a structure on several levels, and various DNS servers are positioned all around the world. On the top of the structure above all stands the root. The level below is for different top-level domains (TLDs). Under them are the secondary domains and subdomains.

Root level – This is the origin of the DNS. When the DNS resolution process is initiated, the search starts from this level. After that, it proceeds to one of the name servers for the domain’s TLD. It is represented with a dot “.” at the end of the domain name. However, everyday users don’t use it.

TLD level – The top-level domains are every extension you have probably seen, such as .com, .net, .co.uk, .info, and so on. Within the TLD name servers, you are going to receive the answer, for which name servers hold the information about the domain name you are seeking for.

Second level domain. This is the name of the website that you are searching for without the TLD extension. For instance, Google, from google.com.

Subdomain level – This is the subpart of the domain name. You can see it before the domain name. Moreover, it is divided by a dot (“.”). For instance, a blog subdomain is blog.google.com.

Why is it so important?

DNS is so essential because, without it, every action on the Internet is going to take a more prolonged time, and it is going to challenge us, humans, to memorize a bunch of information. The DNS assists communication on the Internet, plus it makes domain name queries seem so fast and straightforward. Thanks to the system, you can connect to nearly every website 24/7. 

Recommended article: The Ultimate Guide to DNS Propagation