When you plan to buy a domain or hosting plan, you read about its features. But, are you aware of technical details that go behind these?
Have you come across the word nameserver? It helps the browsers make secure connections between websites and URLs when a user enters the URL in the browser.
Nameservers play an essential role in connecting IP addresses and URLs in a more user-friendly way. In short, it acts as a messenger between IP addresses and domain names that make it easier for visitors to visit a site.
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Does a Nameserver serve any purpose?
A nameserver is a type of DNS server that stores a domain’s DNS records such as MX records, CNAME records, and more. To put it simply, it helps organize individual DNS records, which makes it easy to translate domain names into IP addresses. Almost all domains have multiple nameservers. This helps increase reliability, so in the event, one nameserver goes down, the DNS query can be processed by another.
A. Introduction to Nameserver
Nameserver is a significant part of the domain name system and known to have a place in the directory of IP addresses.
- Nameservers use the information to translate domain names into numeric IP addresses. They act as a directory of device-related IP addresses attached to them.
- When they translate, the process works so quickly that a user may not even notice. When you type in the URL in the web browser, the name servers will let you know where the site is located, and then the desired page will load.
- Without it, users would have to type lengthy IP addresses in the browsers. Moreover, every valid nameserver has an association with the IP address of that server.
B. How Does It Work?
- The user enters the address in the web browser, and the request is sent to the respective name server or domain. The browser will receive an IP address from the nameserver.
- Following this, another request is sent by the browser to the IP address and the name server supplies this.
- In the next step, the server (associated with the IP address) will receive the request.
If all the files and relevant information are displayed correctly, the web browser will display the website content. If the files are not found or there is misconfiguration, it will show an error.
This whole process takes not even a second to complete as it happens in the backend. That's why a user can't view the process.
Read: How to Change BigRock Name Servers (DNS) at Bigrock. in under 5 mins
C. How to Set up the Nameserver for the Domain?
Setting up nameservers for the domain is not a complicated process. However, you must know that any DNS change you make can take up to 24 hours. There are two main options to set up a domain:
1. Changing the Existing Name Server
- After you log in to your account, navigate to the Mydomain option. Here, you can choose a domain you want.
- Now, click on the nameservers (under the manage option). You will get to see many alternatives in default name servers or custom nameservers.
Most people choose the default name server option. For the custom option, enter the names under the fields. But, for this, it’s vital to have one or more nameservers. If you don’t have a name, read the next option.
2. Setting up a Brand New Nameserver
You can create custom nameservers with VPS or Reseller account. Firstly, it is essential to know whether you have all the records in place. With a Reseller hosting account, you will need to create a DNS record.
However, with Managed VPS, you don’t need to add records. But if you must, it must be configured. Once you do that, register the name servers you need.
- Navigate to the domains tab in the customer panel and click on Mydomains.
- Select the down arrow to the domain and choose the option of manage nameservers. Now, select the private nameservers from the sidebar.
If it’s your first one, enter a name under the nameserver. It is usually NSL as nameservers use NSL. Next, add the IP address, associated with the nameserver. To add more, repeat the process.
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D. Checking Nameservers of Your Website
Through WHOIS, you can check the nameservers of your website. It is a domain look-up service that provides free access. Go to the WHOIS website and enter your domain name in the input box.
There is another way to check your nameserver through PowerShell on your system.
- Type PowerShell in your start bar and open the Windows PowerShell option.
- In the interface, type Nslookup and click on enter. Now, typeset q=NS and click on enter. Type the option of domain-name.com and click enter. All nameservers will be displayed on your system.
E. Difference Between Nameservers and DNS
There is a difference between DNS and nameserver.
- The nameservers provide the IP address of the webserver.
- DNS looks for the IP address of the webserver.
Then there is a translation of the IP address by nameserver to the domain name. In short, a nameserver carries all the IP addresses at once, and DNS considers individual IP addresses, which redirects you to the site content.
1. Private Nameservers
There are many benefits of using private nameservers. In Shared hosting, multiple domains use the same nameservers. So if your budget allows, you must use private nameservers. Reseller hosting providers use private nameservers as it helps in branding, and they can use it for convenience. If the reseller switches to another host, the client have to switch too.
2. Vanity and Custom Nameservers
Vanity nameservers represent business and not the hostname. You can choose this for professional reasons or scaling your business. Here, the IP address remains the same, only the nameserver will have your domain. Moreover, you can have your custom nameservers if you have VPS or Reseller hosting.
It means that you can use your nameserver under your domain option. Besides, this option is better for establishing identity and improving the security of your Reseller hosting clients. When you have a nameserver – named after your domain name – things will get easier for you.
3. Why is DNS so Important?
- DNS means domain name system, and it plays a vital part on the internet. It ensures that the internet works smoothly and the load time is quick.
- DNS works in a large network with a distributed database.
- DNS helps to connect the domain names to IP addresses. So when the user types the URL in the file, DNS will find the IP address that matches with the domain name. Moreover, the browser can contact the server and retrieve the site.
Also Read: How to Transfer a Domain from GoDaddy to BigRock
Wrapping Up,
Nameservers direct the internet traffic and play a significant role in the web. They help connect the domain name with the IP address of the nameserver. Moreover, they help the browsers access the record of your domain DNS.
Understanding the importance of nameservers is essential to keep your website up and running. Besides, you can edit the domain nameservers at the domain registrars. You can manage the individual DNS records for the ones you are using.
Customized nameservers offer better access for your business needs. Nameservers transfer the domain names to IP addresses - the language most systems understand.
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