Name Server
A name server is a computer that translatesdomain names intoIP addresses. Name servers serve a fundamental role in the Domain Name System (DNS). They allow a user to visit awebsite by entering its domain name into their web browser'saddress field instead of manually entering theweb server's IP address.
Every registered domain name must list at least two name servers in itsDNS record. Known as "authoritative name servers," these name servers maintain a record of the IP addresses for that domain name's web server,mail server, subdomains, and other services. These name servers often use the naming conventionns1.example.com andns2.example.com. The first-listed name server gets checked first, while the second-listed server acts as a backup in case the primary does not respond.
The Domain Name System relies on several layers of name servers that fill separate roles. When your web browser first make a DNS request, it checks with the DNS name server specified by your network'sDHCP settings — typically, a name server operated by yourISP. If that name server doesn't have the domain name's record, your computer begins checking other servers starting from the top. The highest-level name servers are called "root DNS servers" and maintain the records of the name servers for eachtop-level domain (e.g. .com, .net, .ca). Each TLD's name server has the record for the authoritative name server for every domain using that TLD, which then directs your computer to the IP address of that domain's web server.
Largeenterprise networks often have their own name servers to direct domain lookups within theirintranet. Internal name servers let users access internal webportals, printers, and other resources using internal domain names instead of IP addresses. These resources often useprivate IP addresses that are not accessible from outside of the local intranet.
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