What is DNS?

Ever wondered how, when you’re navigating the world of the internet, clicking on a link almost instantly transports you from one corner of thе globе to anothеr?

Well, we have three words for you: Domain Name Systems. Here’s all you need to know about what they are, how they work, and why they’re important. 

What DNS is and what it does

A Domain Name System ensures that domain names, as listed on websites, are translated into IP addresses that can be read by your device – whether a laptop, tablet or smartphone. It helps in the flow of data across the internet, and your device. 

ALSO READ: What is WAN?

You must have seen that website addresses are written in the following manner: www.<website name>.com. Well, what the DNS in a laptop does is, it aligns the website domain name to their IP addresses, making it easier for the users to visit the website without having to memorise difficult numbers such as 191.2.0.1. If not for DNS website domain names would only consist of numbers. 

DNS also has another important function. It keeps track of various records associated with domain names. For example, MX records for email servers and TXT records for additional information like SPF and DKIM. This makes DNS beneficial not just for surfing the web, but also for email delivery, online gaming, and most other use cases on the internet in general. 

Why DNS is important

DNS often operates at the backstage of your device’s internet operations. It goes unnoticed unless an issue is detected. DNS issues usually consist of broken internet connections or website unavailability. So, it makes for an extremely integral component for you to have a secure, stable and uninterrupted internet surfing experience.