Nameservers are a part of the Domain Name System (DNS) that helps connect domain names (like www.bigrock.in) to the server where the website is hosted. Without nameservers, browsing the web would be much more difficult as users would have to remember the IP addresses of websites they want to visit instead of the simple website name. Read ahead to know more about nameservers.
What is a Nameserver?
Nameservers are an essential component of a massive database called the Domain Name System (DNS). They work as a directory that translates human-readable words (domain names) into computer-readable numbers (IP addresses).
Think of it as the contact list on your phone. Instead of memorizing phone numbers, you assign a name to a number. Nameservers work the same way, assigning an IP address to a domain name, so you only have to remember the domain name instead of the IP address.
When you type a domain name in the address bar of your web browser, the domain name hits the nameserver, which translates it into an IP address so your browser can locate it. Once the browser finds the domain name in the nameserver, your browser uses the IP address to connect to the server and display the site. The process occurs within a matter of seconds and is unnoticeable.
How Do Nameservers Work?
The process of finding a website using a nameserver follows these basic steps:
- User Request: When you enter a domain name (e.g., bigrock.in) into your browser, your device requests a DNS resolver for details.
- Nameserver Lookup: The DNS resolver queries a root nameserver to find the correct top-level domain (TLD) nameserver (e.g., for .com domains).
- TLD Nameserver Response:The TLD nameserver directs the query to the specific authoritative nameserver for that domain.
- Final Destination: The authoritative nameserver provides the IP address associated with the domain, allowing your browser to load the website.
As mentioned before, all of this happens in milliseconds, ensuring that web browsing remains seamless and fast.
Why Are Nameservers Important?
1.Enabling Easy Website Access
Without nameservers, users would have to remember and enter long numerical IP addresses instead of simple domain names. Imagine having to type 104.26.2.33 instead of example.com every time you wanted to visit a site; it would be confusing and inefficient!
2.Managing Website Hosting
When you purchase a domain name, you need to point it to your web hosting provider. Nameservers allow you to easily link your domain to the correct hosting server, ensuring your website is accessible to visitors.
3.Improving Website Reliability
Most websites use multiple nameservers for redundancy. If one nameserver goes down, another can take over, preventing website downtime. This ensures a stable and reliable internet experience.
4.Enabling Domain Changes and Management
You don’t have to change your domain name, if you change hosting providers. Instead, you simply update your nameservers to point to the new hosting provider’s server, making migration smooth and hassle-free.
5.Supporting Load Balancing and Performance Optimization
Some websites use multiple nameservers to distribute traffic across several servers, improving load times and reducing strain on any single server. This is particularly useful for high-traffic websites and large-scale applications.
Understanding Nameservers and Domain Name System
Domain Name System (DNS) records and nameservers work together but they perform different functions. DNS holds the information about which IP addresses match which domains, while nameservers store and organize each DNS record.
When you enter any website’s address into the URL address bar, your browser uses DNS to obtain the nameservers for the domain.
How to Check Your Website’s Nameserver
Now that you know what a nameserver is and how it’s related to DNS, let’s look at how to check your website’s nameserver.
1.Using Command Prompt (Windows)
- Step 1:First, open Command Prompt either by clicking on the Windows symbol located at the bottom right of the computer homepage or by pressing Windows + R, typing cmd, and hitting enter.
- Step 2:After opening the Command Prompt, enter the command- “nslookup -type=ns yourdomain.com” (replace yourdomain.com with your actual domain name) and press enter. This will show the nameservers linked to your domain.
2.Using Online Tools (Like IPLocation or DNSLookup.net)
- Step 1:Go to a Nameserver Lookup Website and type your website’s domain name in the search field.
- Step 2:Click the search button, and the tool will display your domain’s nameservers.
3.Linux Operating System
- Step 1: On your keyboard, press CTRL + ALT + T.
- Step 2:In the command prompt window, enter the following command: dig ns yourdomainname.com.
This way, you can easily determine your website’s nameservers.
How to Change Nameservers for Your Domain Name
- Changing your nameserver is a simple process. The process may differ depending on your domain name registrar, but the basic steps are the same. Here’s how to change your domain’s nameservers: First, contact your hosting provider and ask for the nameservers you need to use.
- Log in to your domain registrar and replace the domain’s old nameservers with new ones.
- Once the nameservers are updated, you need to wait for the changes to take effect.
If you’ve purchased web hosting for your domain through BigRock, you need to set the nameservers as specified here.
Conclusion
In conclusion, nameservers help convert easy-to-remember domain names into numerical IP addresses, allowing users to access websites without hassle. Whether you are running a website, changing hosting providers, or just browsing the web, nameservers ensure a seamless experience by managing and directing internet traffic efficiently.
Understanding how nameservers work and their importance can help you troubleshoot website issues, improve performance, and make better decisions when managing your online presence. So, the next time you type a website’s name into your browser, remember that nameservers are working behind the scenes to get you there smoothly!
Still confused? Refer to our FAQs for more clarity!
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) on Nameservers
1.Can a website have multiple nameservers?
Yes! Most websites use at least two nameservers—one primary and one backup. Larger websites may use more for added reliability and performance.
2.How long does it take for nameserver changes to update?
It typically takes 24 to 48 hours for DNS changes to propagate.
3.What happens if a nameserver goes down?
If a website has multiple nameservers, the backup will take over. However, if a domain only has one nameserver and it goes down, the website will become inaccessible until it is fixed.
4.Are nameservers and DNS the same thing?
Not exactly. DNS (Domain Name System) is the broader system that maps domain names to IP addresses, while nameservers are specific servers that store and provide DNS records for domains.
5.Do I need to manually set up my nameservers?
If you purchase hosting and a domain from the same provider, they automatically set up nameservers for you. You may need to update your nameservers manually if you buy them separately. However, it’s important to contact your hosting provider for more details.
6.Where can I find my domain’s nameservers?
When you register a domain through a domain registrar, it will have your registrar’s nameserver information associated with it.
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