Name Server

Name servers play a crucial role in the functioning of the internet by translating human-friendly domain names into IP addresses that computers use to identify each other on the network. This process ensures that users can easily access websites using simple URLs rather than complicated numerical codes.
 

How Do They Work?

• Domain Name System (DNS): Name servers are an integral part of the DNS, which acts as a global directory that manages the association between domain names and IP addresses. Learn more about the Domain Name System here.
• Query Process: When you enter a web address in your browser, a request is sent to a hierarchy of DNS servers to find the correct IP address linked to that domain. Name servers are responsible for providing this information.
   

Types of Name Servers:

• Authoritative Servers: These hold the definitive records for a domain and respond to queries about that specific domain’s IP address.
• Recursive Servers: These function like intermediaries that query several authoritative servers to resolve a domain query and return the results to the user.
   

Why Are They Important?

Without name servers, navigating the internet would be cumbersome and inefficient. They ensure fast and reliable access to websites by swiftly resolving domain names to IP addresses, maintaining the seamless functioning of online activities.

The key benefits of name servers are:

• Efficiency: Speeds up website access by providing quick translations of domain names to IP addresses.
• Scalability: Supports the vast network of the internet, handling millions of domain queries daily.
• Reliability: With layers of backup, name servers ensure websites remain accessible even if one server fails.