When Should You Use DNS?

You should use DNS whenever you access a website or online service using a human-friendly name instead of a numerical IP address. DNS translates these names into the IP addresses that computers use to communicate.

Understanding DNS

DNS, or Domain Name System, is essentially the internet's phone book. Without it, you would have to memorize and manually enter the IP addresses for every website you want to visit, much like keeping a personal directory of website IP addresses.

Why DNS is Necessary

Imagine trying to remember the IP address 172.217.160.142 every time you wanted to access Google. That's why we use names like www.google.com. DNS makes this possible by taking the website name you type in, finding the IP address associated with it, and connecting you to the website's server.

Practical Usage Scenarios

You are constantly using DNS. Every time you:

• Visit a website: When you type www.example.com into your browser, your computer uses DNS to look up the corresponding IP address.
• Send an email: Email servers also rely on DNS to locate the destination server for delivery.
• Access a cloud service: Cloud applications such as Google Drive or Dropbox use DNS to find their server locations.
• Use an app: Many mobile and desktop apps use DNS to communicate with their servers, fetching content and information.

Benefits of Using DNS

Here are some key benefits of using DNS:

• Simplified Navigation: Instead of memorizing complex IP addresses, users can easily remember website names.
• Flexibility: When websites change servers, only the DNS record needs to be updated. Users are unaffected because the website name remains the same.
• Load Balancing: DNS can distribute user traffic across multiple servers, improving speed and availability.
• Reliability: The system is distributed globally with multiple servers working together, reducing the risk of a single point of failure.

DNS Process Explained

Here's a simplified version of how DNS works:

1. You type a web address (e.g., www.example.com) in your browser.
2. Your computer sends a request to a DNS resolver (often your internet service provider’s server).
3. The resolver checks its cache. If the IP address is found, it returns it to your computer.
4. If not cached, the resolver asks other DNS servers, from root servers to authoritative name servers until the IP address is found.
5. The IP address is returned to your computer.
6. Your browser connects to the website server using the IP address, displaying the webpage.

Conclusion

In essence, you should be using DNS continuously whenever you are on the internet, even if you are not directly aware of it. It acts as the translator that allows you to easily access online resources, making the internet accessible and user-friendly.