Hi there! Today I am going to talk to you about something important called DNS. I will explain what it is, what it is used for, and how it works with simple and fun examples. Ready? Let us get started! 

What is DNS? 

DNS (Domain Name System) is a system that works like a big address book for the Internet. It helps computers find websites. 

Example: 

Think of a website as a house and its IP address as the address of that house (like “123 Park Street”). The name of the website, like “hublogistics.ch” is like the name of your friend John. DNS translates the website name into the IP address, so the computer knows where to go. 

What is DNS Used For? 

DNS makes the Internet easier to use. Instead of remembering long numbers (IP addresses), we can use simple names (domain names). 

Example: 

Instead of remembering “192.20.127.197” to go to the cartoon website, we can simply type “hublogistics.ch” Much easier, right? 

How Governments Handle DNS 

Examples of DNS Filtering 

• Switzerland: Blocks access to unauthorized online gambling sites and, less frequently, to sites with blatantly illegal content. Switzerland balances protecting citizens’ rights with regulating illegal content. 

• Italy: Uses DNS to block access to illegal gambling sites, piracy sites, and other illicit content. However, the blocking is limited to specific sites. 

• China: Known for its “Great Firewall,” China uses various methods, including DNS filtering, to block access to websites deemed inappropriate or dangerous to political stability, such as those concerning human rights, freedom of expression, and foreign media. 

• Russia: Has implemented laws requiring ISPs to block access to websites promoting extremism, pornography, drug use, and other illegal content, using DNS filtering as one of the methods. 

• Turkey: Has used DNS filtering to block access to social media platforms and other websites during periods of political or social tension. 

• Iran: Manages a national internet infrastructure using DNS filtering to control access to external content, promoting the use of local websites and services. 

Interesting fact: some governments intentionally block certain websites to control information and keep people uninformed. Similarly, in companies, the IT Department often enforces restrictions on accessing websites like social media, pornography, and other non-work-related sites to maintain productivity and security. 

How Does a Website Get into the DNS “Book”? 

To get a website into the big DNS book, you need to follow some important steps. Let us see them together! 

1. Domain Registration 

First, you need to choose a name for your website, like “www.cartoonland.com.” This name is called a “domain.” To register a domain, you go to a domain registrar (a kind of shop that sells website names). 

Example: 

It is like choosing a name for a new soccer team. Once you have chosen it, you go to a special shop to register it so no one else can use the same name. 

2. Assigning an IP Address 

After registering the domain, the website needs an IP address, which is like a house address. This IP address is given by the server where the website is hosted. 

Example: 

Imagine your website is a house. The IP address is the address of your house, like “123 Game Street.” 

3. Configuring DNS 

Now that you have the domain and the IP address, you need to tell the DNS book how to find your site. This is done by setting up DNS records. DNS records tell the world which IP address to use for your domain. 

Example: 

It is like writing your name and address on a big sign that everyone can see, so they know where to find you. 

4. Propagation 

Once the DNS records are set up, you need to wait a bit for this information to spread around the world. This process is called “propagation.” It can take from a few minutes to a few hours. 

Example: 

It is like sending out invitations to a party to all your friends. It takes a bit of time for everyone to receive the invitation and know where to go. 

How Does DNS Work? 

Types of DNS Records 

DNS uses distinct types of records to keep track of information. Here are some of the main ones: 

• A Record: Maps a domain name to an IPv4 address. 

• AAAA Record: Maps a domain name to an IPv6 address. 

• CNAME Record: It is like a nickname for another domain. 

• MX Record: Indicates the mail servers for a domain. 

• NS Record: Indicates which DNS servers are authoritative for that domain. 

Conclusion 

DNS is like a big address book that helps computers find websites. It is extremely useful because it makes the Internet easy to use. We hope you now have a clever idea of what DNS is and how it works! 

Want to try something cool we learned?  

Open your browser and type 172.217.168.14 in the address bar at the top. What do you see? It is just another way to navigate the web! However, it does not always work because some websites use multiple IP addresses or redirect to different ones.