What is DNS?
The Domain Name System (DNS) is the phonebook of the internet. It translates human-readable domain names (like example.com) into IP addresses that computers use to identify each other.
How Do Domains Work?
Domains are hierarchical. The top-level domains (TLDs) such as .com, .org, and .net serve as categories, while second-level domains (like example.com) are specific addresses owned by individuals or organizations.
Common DNS Records
DNS records store crucial information about a domain. Some common types include:
- A Record: Maps a domain to an IPv4 address.
- AAAA Record: Maps a domain to an IPv6 address.
- MX Record: Directs email traffic to the right mail servers.
- CNAME Record: Aliases one domain to another.
- TXT Record: Stores text-based information for verification.