The internet is a magical place where a few keystrokes can take you anywhere in the world.But how does your browser know exactly where to go when you type ina domain name like www.combell.com?There is a brilliant system working behind the scenes to make that possible.A key cog in that system is the nameserver.In this article, we explain in a clear way what nameservers are, how they work and why they are essential to the internet.
What is a nameserver?
A nameserver is a server that is part of the Domain Name System (DNS) and acts as a kind of translator. It links a human domain name, such as combell.com, to its IP address, e.g. 192.168.1.1 or an IPv6 address such as 2001:db8::ff00:42:8329.
Without nameservers, we would have to memorise complicated number strings to visit websites. Fortunately, we have this handy ‘phone book of the internet’ to do that job for us.
Nameserver vs DNS records
It may sound confusing, but DNS (Domain Name System) and nameservers are not the same thing. DNS is the entire system that links domain names to IP addresses, while a nameserver is a specific component within that system that performs this task.
Think of DNS as a large library system and the nameserver as the counter where you can request a specific document (or address). Specifically
- Nameservers are the gateways. They show you the way to the right DNS records.
- DNS records contain the actual information, such as the IP address (A record) or the mail server (MX record) of a domain.
So you can think of nameservers as the vaults in which DNS records are stored.
What does a nameserver do?
A nameserver ensures that your browser knows where to find a website. Compare it to asking for an address: you mention a name, such as ‘Combell’, and the nameserver looks up the corresponding address.
So, nameservers are essential for converting human domain names into IP addresses that computers can communicate with.
Why are nameservers important?
Without nameservers, the internet would be a lot less user-friendly. Imagine if you had to type ‘192.168.1.1’ into your browser instead of ‘combell.com’. That would not only be inconvenient, but also cause a lot of errors.
Nameservers make the internet:
- Accessible: they translate domain names into IP addresses.
- Reliable: multiple nameservers make sure the system keeps working even if one fails.
- Scalable: they can handle billions of domains and users.
Nameservers and DNS hierarchy
The internet works thanks to a clever and hierarchical system of nameservers. It starts with the root nameservers – the most important links at the top – which indicate which TLD nameservers you should access, for example for ‘.com’ or ‘.be’.
These TLD nameservers then redirect you to the specific nameservers of your hosting provider, where the exact information about your domain can be found. Thanks to this efficient cooperation between the different layers, you always get quick and reliable access to the right website.
Nameservers and IPv6
As the internet grows, so does the need for IP addresses. This is where IPv6 comes in. An IPv6 nameserver works in the same way as an IPv4 nameserver, but can process many more addresses. Handy, because that way we can move forward for years to come.
How does a nameserver work?
The process of a nameserver seems complicated, but it works surprisingly smoothly:
- You type in a domain name: your browser sends a query to a nameserver: ‘What is the IP address of this domain name?’
- The nameserver looks for the address: if it doesn’t know it, it asks other servers within the DNS hierarchy.
- Answer: once the IP address is found, the nameserver sends it back to your browser. And voila, the website appears!
This whole process often takes less than a second.
What is my nameserver?
Curious about your nameservers? You can easily find them via your hosting provider or a tool like WHOIS. They often look like ns1.provider.com and ns2.provider.com. This information is useful if you want to change your DNS settings, for example.
How many nameservers do you need?
Most domains have at least two nameservers. This provides a back-up: if one nameserver is unavailable, the other can step in.
Large companies often choose even more nameservers spread around the world to guarantee maximum speed and reliability.
The nameservers of your own domain
The physical location of a nameserver can affect the performance of your website. Modern hosting providers often have nameservers spread all over the world.
This way, users always get connected to the fastest and nearest server.
How do you change a nameserver?
Tip: set up your own nameservers
Want full control or a professional look? Then you can set up your own nameservers, such as ns1.mycompany.com. This requires some technical knowledge and access to a VPS or dedicated server, but it offers a lot of flexibility.
Nameservers are the silent heroes of the internet
Without them, browsing would be a lot more complicated. Whether you are a beginner or a seasoned IT professional, understanding how nameservers work is key to a smoothly running website. They are the phone book of the internet for a reason !
So the next time you visit a website, you’ll know who to thank for the effortless connection.
