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How DNS Works: Translating Names to IP Addresses

Mohammad ShayestehMohammad Shayesteh
How DNS Works: Translating Names to IP Addresses

When you type a website like www.google.com into your browser, how does your computer know where to go? That’s the magic of DNS (Domain Name System) — one of the most critical and often overlooked components of the internet.

For anyone getting started in networking or preparing for certifications like CCNA, understanding DNS is a must. Let’s break it down in simple terms.

What is DNS?

DNS (Domain Name System) is like the phonebook of the internet.

It translates human-friendly domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses (like 93.184.216.34) that computers use to locate each other on networks.

Without DNS, we’d all have to remember long strings of numbers just to visit a website — not exactly user-friendly!

Why Do We Need DNS?

  • Humans remember names better than numbers.
  • Networks and devices communicate using IP addresses.
  • DNS bridges the gap by mapping names to numbers.

How DNS Works: Step by Step

Here’s what typically happens when you visit a website:

  1. You type a URL
    Example: You enter www.example.com in your browser.

  2. Check the local cache
    Your computer first checks if it has the IP address saved from a recent visit.

  3. Query the DNS resolver
    If the address isn’t cached, your computer asks the local DNS resolver (usually your ISP).

  4. Ask the root servers
    The resolver contacts a root DNS server to find out where to look next.

  5. Ask the TLD servers
    The resolver queries the Top-Level Domain (TLD) servers (like .com, .net) for the domain’s authoritative servers.

  6. Contact authoritative name servers
    The resolver asks the authoritative server for the actual IP address of www.example.com.

  7. Get the IP address
    The resolver returns the IP address to your computer.

  8. Connect to the website
    Your browser uses the IP address to establish a connection and load the site.

All this usually happens in milliseconds!

Important DNS Concepts

  • DNS Records

    • A Record: Maps a domain to an IPv4 address
    • AAAA Record: Maps a domain to an IPv6 address
    • CNAME: Alias one domain to another
    • MX: Mail exchange servers for email

  • Caching
    To speed things up, DNS answers are cached at multiple levels (your computer, router, ISP) to reduce repeated lookups.

  • DNS Servers

    • Root servers
    • TLD servers
    • Authoritative servers
    • Recursive resolvers

Common DNS Issues

  • DNS not responding → Can’t resolve domain names.
  • Incorrect DNS records → Website becomes unreachable.
  • DNS cache poisoning → Attackers insert false information into the DNS cache.

Conclusion

DNS is what makes the web easy to use, translating memorable names into the IP addresses computers need. By understanding how DNS works, you can better troubleshoot connectivity issues, improve network performance, and appreciate the hidden technology that powers your online experience.