What is DNS and why It’s so Important
What is DNS?
The Domain Name System DNS is used to resolve domain names like www.superfastvps.com into IP addresses like 192.169.169.1. DNS also provides sub domain information like https://my.superfastvps.com or other information about domain names, such as mail services. DNS tell computers how to find each other over Internet. When you type an address in your browser, your Internet Service Provider checks with it’s name server NS to determine where to send you, on which server is the site you are looking at hosted.
http://www.domain.com —> Check with DNS —> DNS says domain.com = 192.168.0.1 —> You are taken to the correct website.
Why is DNS so important?
DNS is very important to any website, the most correct and stable your DNS is the most reliable your web site will be. Your page, email, and applications relay on your DNS to work, so it has to be configured correct, one mistake can cause your site to go offline for days.
The ability to change the DNS of a website is an important feature for many people. However, incorrect DNS settings can take an entire web site down for an extended period of time. This is because DNS changes aren’t instant, so you can’t see the changes or miss-configurations you just did. If you make a mistake, it is possible that nobody will be able to connect to your site including yourself. If you fix the mistake, it may take up to 48 hours for it to work.
There are several things you can do to prevent mistakes:
1. Read this document thoroughly.
2. Make sure you understand what A, CNAME, NS,PTR and MX records do.
3. Contact your web host for additional help and guidance.
4. Don’t make a major change without assistance.
5. Don’t make a change to a live website unless you know what you are doing.
With a little bit of practice, you will find that making DNS changes is very simple.
Why does this happen?
It happens because your domain name won’t always have the same IP address. Each server on the Internet has an IP address a numerical address like a phone number. Every time you change web hosts, you are changing servers and therefore changing your IP addresses.
Domain name servers keep a record of your domain name and what IP address server it should point to. Some sites are using a shared IP address, meaning that the server have an IP and is shared among many domains, some bigger sites have it’s own unique IP different than the server. Having a dedicated IP for a site is said that helps boost your search engine placement.
Why should I put my web host’s name servers NS in my domain record?
Name servers tell the Internet how to find you. When you edit the name servers in your domain record, you are telling the Internet which name server provides the most up-to-date directions to your website. If you don’t change the name servers in your domain record, let’s say you use your old web host’s, then your web site will point to a server that isn’t hosting your site any more. Or, if the old web host deleted you from their NS, your domain wouldn’t work at all.
Why does it take so long for my site to start working?
When you change web hosts or register a domain for the first time, the new DNS information has to reach every other name server NS on the Internet. Your site may work in as few as 4 hours, but the average waiting time is 24 hours. This delay occurs because most name servers choose to periodically check for updates. That is, they aren’t “live.” Periodic checking is done because constant checking often slows down the server.
Why is my domain pointing to my old web host, even though I cancelled my account with them?
1. Their name servers are still in your domain record.
Solution: Update your domain record with your new host’s name servers.
2. They haven’t removed your domain record from their name servers.
Solution: Ask them to remove your domain record, or follow the solution in #1 if you have a new web hosting provider.
3. DNS propagation hasn’t taken place yet. This will happen even with your new web host’s DNS in your domain record.
Solution: Wait 24-72 hours and contact your new web host if the problem persists.
Why can some people reach my new site but I can’t?
Their ISP has more up-to-date DNS records than your ISP. Be patient, as your new site will appear within 24-72 hours.
Is there some way to view my site even though the DNS hasn’t changed yet?
Yes. You may access your site at http://server.ip.address/~username on most panels like cpanel or directadmin. If you don’t know the IP address of the server, please ask your web host for it.
There is a free and easy to use online tool that will help you see instantly your DNS configuration and determine the health of your name
servers and/or your website it’s DNSresults.com and can perform a DNS lookup for your website give it a try. You can find errors you didn’t know and it can help you when changing hosting providers. Switching to SuperfastVPS from another provider is easy. Our web migration team will help you move your websites and/or your servers to our platform for free.
