Domain and hosting management often use the terms “nameserver” and “DNS.” While both the terms refer to similar things, “domain name system,” they have different roles. To better understand, let’s analyze what each of these terms means and how they are related to one another.
What is DNS (Domain Name System)
The Domain Name System (DNS) is a largely hierarchical system that keeps in record which domain names correspond to which IP address. In other words, they explain the mapping of domain names familiar to the common man, such as “example.com,” to computer-friendly numeric addresses, such as from the set of {192.0.2.1}. DNS is a very crucial part of the internet because through it people can access websites using domain names rather than struggling with difficult IP addresses.
How DNS Works:
1. Query:
– A query is the content that you ask the browser to search. For instance, whenever you put a domain name in the address bar of your browser, you send out a DNS query.
2. Recursive Resolver
– The query is first handed to a recursive resolver, which is a middleman between the user and the DNS system.
3. Root Server
– The resolver then connects with a root DNS server, then guides the resolver to connect with the correct TLD (top-level domain) server, which depends on the TLD extension, like .com,.org, etc.
4. TLD Server
– An authoritative Nameserver for the domain answers the query after the TLD server translates the query to the right domain server.
5. Nameserver
– Nameservers respond and authenticate the domain name and provide the IP address of the domain name.
6. Browser Access
– The browser employs the IP address to locate the website in question.
What is Nameservers?
A Nameserver is an important server on the internet that resolves DNS queries, or, in other words, translates domain names to corresponding IP addresses. Nameservers also hold DNS records for a domain, such as the ‘A’ record that maps the domain to the IP address and the ‘MX’ records for email forwarding, among others.
How Nameservers Work:
- When a DNS query gets to the nameserver, it verifies its DNS records to determine the IP address associated with the queried domain.
- The Nameserver then relays the IP address to the recursive resolver, and the latter relays it to the user’s browser.
- If the Nameserver does not resolve the information, it can ask other Nameservers or return an error where the domain does not exist.
Types of Nameservers:
1. Primary Nameserver
– The primary server where the DNS records of a domain are located as well as the ones used in managing the records.
2. Secondary Nameserver
– It can be a server holding a copy of records from the primary nameserver. It offers failover as it secures the functionality of DNS resolution even when the main server of the DNS is congested.
DNS vs. Nameservers: Brief Note
| Feature | DNS | Nameserver |
| Role | System for translating domain names to IP addresses. | Server that stores and provides DNS records for domains. |
| Types | Root servers, authoritative servers, recursive resolvers. | .com, .net, .org, etc. (Top-level domains) |
| Function | Resolves domain names to IP addresses. | Stores and provides DNS records for specific domains. |
Key Differences When Comparing DNS vs. Nameservers
Understanding the difference between DNS and Nameservers helps users easily understand the process of new domain registration, migrating domains, updating DNS records, and many more such functions.
It also helps domain buyers and sellers to easily access a website that they are looking for. DNS is the general framework that gives the guidelines, and the Nameservers store and present the necessary information that enables a user to access certain websites.
| Feature | DNS | Nameserver |
| Definition | DNS is the system that translates domain names to IP addresses. | On the other hand , a Nameserver is a particular server in the DNS structure that stores, and provides access to the DNS records of domains. |
| Scope | DNS involves the whole process of domain name resolution that includes different forms of DNS servers. | A Nameserver is merely one element within the larger framework of this system, and is concerned with processing DNS queries by providing related information concerning domains. |
| Interaction | While resolving the name of a domain, Nameservers are accessed to know the IP address of the domain in question. | DNS is a complete process that consists of numbers of steps and servers as well as a Nameserver for converting domain names to IP addresses. |
This post specifically explains what you should know when transferring your website to a new host: Nameservers and DNS records. The first thing the visitor needs to do is ensure his domain points to the right DNS. Otherwise, the visitors will not be able to see your pages or content.
