DNS Server: Functions, Benefits, How It Works to Advantages

In this article we will discuss the DNS Server which has a very important role on the internet. DNS server is a system in charge of translating easy-to-remember domain names into numerical IP addresses needed to access websites.

DNS (Domain Name System) helps make it easier for users to access websites without the need to memorize long IP numbers. DNS servers play an important role in managing and directing internet traffic, as reported by Cloudflare.com. In addition, DNS servers also have other functions that are no less important.

Functions

Here are the 5 most important DNS server functions as reported by HubSpot.com:

Translates domain names into IP addresses that can be understood by computers.
Speeds up internet connections by caching DNS data so that subsequent requests for the same domain are accessed more quickly.
Handles load balancing tasks by distributing traffic across multiple servers available for a single domain name.
Maintains security by blocking access to websites deemed dangerous or risky.
Supports VPN and firewall deployments to control access to specific networks or websites.

Benefits

For developers, DNS servers allow users to gain access to websites easily and faster than memorizing long IP addresses. In addition, with a DNS server, developers are able to manage and direct internet traffic to separate servers to avoid server overload or failure. Just like a network administrator who uses a server monitoring application so that his workload is reduced.

Developers can also utilize DNS servers to control access to certain websites and networks, and speed up internet connections by caching DNS data. In other words, the DNS server is an essential part of building and managing a reliable and efficient internet network infrastructure.

Method of Creating a Load Balancing System that Utilizes the DNS Server Concept

How to create a load balancing system that utilizes the DNS server concept is by setting several IP addresses on one domain name on the DNS server. When users access the website, user requests will be divided equally to several available servers with predetermined IP addresses.

This will allow users to connect to the nearest or available server to gain access to the website in question. So, it can shorten loading time and increase access speed. This load balancing system with the DNS server concept is very effective in avoiding server overload or failure, and improving internet network performance.

How DNS Server Works

For those who have aspirations to become a server admin, then you need to know how the DNS server itself works. Launching from TechTarget.com, below is a flowchart of how the DNS server works:

The user enters the domain address into the browser
DNS requests are sent to the local DNS server
The local DNS server looks for the corresponding IP address in the cache
If the cache does not contain the requested IP address, the DNS server will ask another DNS to look up the IP address
Once the IP address is found, the DNS server sends it back to the user’s browser
The user can connect to the website with the found IP address.

Advantages

The advantage of a DNS server is that it makes it easier for users to access websites quickly and simply without the need to remember long IP addresses. In addition, it can also improve the security system by blocking access to websites that are considered dangerous and risky, and help users solve internet connection problems by facilitating access to websites through DNS data caching.

DNS servers also allow developers to manage internet traffic and route connections to the most optimal servers so as to improve network performance and minimize downtime.

Is DNS the Same as VPN?

The answer is no! DNS (Domain Name System) and VPN (Virtual Private Network) are two separate things. DNS is responsible for converting domain names into IP addresses, while VPN is a technology that allows users to create a secure and private internet connection through data encryption. While both are related to internet access, they serve different functions in different contexts.