DNS Lookup

Check DNS records for the domain name

What is the DNS

DNS, or Domain Name System, is a hierarchical decentralized naming system for computers, services, or other resources connected to the Internet or a private network. It translates human-friendly domain names into IP addresses, which are used by computers to identify each other on a network.

When you enter a domain name in your browser, the DNS resolver in your system queries DNS servers to find the IP address associated with that domain. The process involves multiple steps, including contacting the root DNS servers, TLD servers, and authoritative servers, until the final IP address is obtained. Once the IP address is obtained, your computer can establish a connection to the corresponding server, and you can access the desired website or service.

Here's a breakdown of its key components:

  • Domain Names: These are human-readable names like www.example.com. Domain names are organized hierarchically, with the top-level domains (TLDs) at the highest level (.com, .org, .net, etc.), followed by second-level domains (SLDs) or subdomains.
  • DNS Servers: These servers store databases containing domain names and their corresponding IP addresses. DNS servers are distributed worldwide and work together in a hierarchical and decentralized manner.
  • DNS Resolver: This is a component in your computer or network that initiates DNS queries. When you type a domain name into your web browser, the DNS resolver is responsible for finding the corresponding IP address.
  • Root DNS Servers: At the top of the DNS hierarchy are the root DNS servers. These servers store information about the top-level domain names and their associated authoritative DNS servers.
  • Top-Level Domain (TLD) Servers: These servers are responsible for specific TLDs (e.g., .com, .org, .net). They provide information about the authoritative DNS servers for second-level domains.
  • Authoritative DNS Servers: These servers hold the actual DNS records for a domain, including information like IP addresses, mail server information, and other DNS records.

What are DNS records

DNS records are entries within the Domain Name System (DNS) that provide information about a domain and its associated resources. These records play a crucial role in translating human-readable domain names into machine-readable IP addresses and directing various services associated with a domain. Here are some common types of DNS records:

  • A (Address) Record: Associates a domain with an IPv4 address. For example, it maps a domain like www.example.com to the corresponding IPv4 address.
  • AAAA (IPv6 Address) Record: Similar to the A record but associates a domain with an IPv6 address. It's used for websites and services accessible over IPv6.
  • CNAME (Canonical Name) Record: Creates an alias for one domain to another. It is often used for subdomains or when a domain needs to point to another domain.
  • MX (Mail Exchange) Record: Specifies mail servers responsible for receiving emails on behalf of the domain. It includes the mail server's hostname and a priority value to determine the order of preference for mail delivery.
  • TXT (Text) Record: Stores text information associated with the domain. It is often used for various purposes, including domain verification, SPF (Sender Policy Framework) records for email authentication, and other text-based data.
  • NS (Name Server) Record: Specifies authoritative DNS servers for the domain. It indicates which DNS servers are authorized to resolve queries for a particular domain.
  • PTR (Pointer) Record: Used for reverse DNS lookups. It maps an IP address to a domain name, providing the reverse mapping of the typical DNS resolution process.
  • SOA (Start of Authority) Record: Contains information about the domain and the zone, including the primary authoritative DNS server, the email of the domain administrator, the domain's serial number, and timers for zone refresh, retry, and expiration.
  • SRV (Service) Record: Specifies the location of servers for specific services, such as SIP (Session Initiation Protocol) or LDAP (Lightweight Directory Access Protocol).
  • CAA (Certification Authority Authorization) Record: Specifies which certificate authorities are authorized to issue SSL/TLS certificates for a domain.

These records are maintained by the domain owner's DNS provider and are distributed across various DNS servers globally. When a user requests a domain, the DNS system uses these records to route the request to the appropriate server or service associated with that domain. Each type of DNS record serves a specific purpose in managing and directing the different aspects of domain functionality on the internet.

Can I lookup DNS on my computer

Yes, you can perform DNS lookups on your computer using command-line tools or graphical user interface (GUI) tools. Here are some common methods for DNS lookup on different operating systems:

Using Command-Line Tools:

Windows (using Command Prompt or PowerShell):

Using `nslookup`:

  • Open the Command Prompt or PowerShell.
  • Type the following command and press Enter:
nslookup example.com

Replace "example.com" with the domain you want to look up.

Using Resolve-DnsName in PowerShell:

  • Open PowerShell.
  • Type the following command and press Enter:
Resolve-DnsName example.com

Replace "example.com" with the domain you want to look up.

macOS and Linux (using Terminal):

Using `dig`:

  • Open the Terminal.
  • Type the following command and press Enter:
dig example.com

Replace "example.com" with the domain you want to look up.