DNS - What is DNS?

Ever wondered how the Domain Name System – the principal naming system that is used for the Internet – works?

One of the best-known analogies is that it serves the 'phone book' for the Internet by translating human-friendly computer hostnames into IP addresses.

Every time you surf the Web or send an email, domain name servers ensure that you are brought to the proper web site or that your email makes it to the appropriate destination. It also makes it many times easier to remember Web addresses: For example, the URL 'http://www.tmcnet.com' contains the domain name “tmcnet.com.” Remembering this address, or URL, is much easier than trying to remember a nine-digit number sequence.

In a recent podcast, Sean Leach of Neustar – a Sterling, Va.-based company that delivers addressing, interoperability, and infrastructure services – breaks down the DNS process in simple language.

During the podcast, Leach also discusses the DNS Real-Time Directory, or RTD, which is used for network redundancy.

To access this informative podcast, click here.