What is a DNS server? Domain Name Server (s) (DNS) are the Internet’s equivalent of a phone book. They maintain a directory of domain names and translate them to Internet Protocol (IP) addresses. A DNS server runs special-purpose networking software, features a public IP address, and contains a database of network names and addresses for other Internet hosts.

DNS Root Servers

DNS servers communicate with each other using private network protocols. All DNS servers are organized in a hierarchy. At the top level of the hierarchy, so-called root servers store a complete database of Internet domain names and their corresponding IP addresses. The Internet employs 13 root servers that have become somewhat famous for their special role. Maintained by various independent agencies, the servers are aptly named A, B, C and so on up to M. Ten of these servers reside in the United States, one in Japan, one in London, UK and one in Stockholm, Sweden.

How DNS Server Works

The DNS is a distributed system, meaning that only the 13 root servers contain the complete database of names and addresses. All other DNS servers are installed at lower levels of the hierarchy and maintain only certain pieces of the overall database.

Most lower level DNS servers are owned by businesses or Internet Service Providers (ISPs). For example, Google maintains various DNS servers around the world that manage the google.com, google.co.uk, and other domains. Your ISP also maintains DNS servers as part of your Internet connection setup.

DNS networking is based on the client / server architecture. Your Web browser functions as a DNS client (also called DNS resolver) and issues requests to your Internet provider’s DNS servers when navigating between Web sites.

When a DNS server receives a request not in its database (such as a geographically distant or rarely visited Web site), it temporarily transforms from a server to a DNS client. The server automatically passes that request to another DNS server or up to the next higher level in the DNS hierarchy as needed. Eventually the request arrives at a server that has the matching name and IP address in its database (all the way to the root level if necessary), and the response flows back through the chain of DNS servers to your client.

DNS Server (s) and Home Networking

Computers on your home network locate a DNS server through their Internet connection setup properties. Providers give their customers the public IP address(es) of primary and backup DNS servers. You can find the current IP addresses of your DNS server configuration via several methods:

on the configuration screens of a home network router
on the TCP/IP connection properties screens in Windows Control Panel (if configured via that method)
from ipconfig or similar command line utility

Publicly available DNS tools can be used to search for information related to Internet domains. Professional network administrators use these same basic tools on business networks.

The difference between Content and Resolving DNS services

DNS servers to provide a single service: to convert names addresses. Many DNS servers around the internet operate in this simplistic manner. DNS servers should provide one of two services: content or resolution services.

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Nice. This refreshes my mcitp classes. Thanks Op.

Thanks for the info @OP