Understanding DNS Resolution

Highlights the difference in how humans and computers identify resources on a network.

“Humans are accustomed to using names instead of numbers.”

Explains how DNS acts as a translator between domain names and IP addresses.

“DNS resolves names to numbers, to be more specific it resolves domain names to IP addresses.”

Describes how the process begins when a user types a domain name into their browser.

“When you type in yahoo.com in your web browser and if your web browser or operating system can't find the IP address in its own cache memory, it will send the query to the next level to what is called the resolver server.”

Explains the role of the resolver server (usually the ISP) and its cache.

“The resolver server is basically your ISP or Internet service provider, so when the resolver receives the query, it will check its own cache memory to find an IP address.”

Describes the function and location of the root servers in the DNS hierarchy.

“The root servers are the top or the root of a DNS hierarchy.”

Explains the role of TLD servers (e.g., .com, .net, .org) in directing the query.

“The top level domain server stores the address information for a top level domains, such as .com, .net, .org and so on.”

Describes the function of the authoritative name server as the final source of the IP address.

“The authoritative name server or servers are responsible for knowing everything about the domain which includes the IP address. They are the final authority.”

Highlights how the resolver caches the IP address for future use.

“Once the resolver receives the IP address, it will store it in its cache memory in case it receives another query for yahoo.com so it doesn't have to go through all those steps again.”

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