answersLogoWhite

0

What is DNS Lookup?

Updated: 12/24/2022
User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago

Best Answer

A DNS Lookup is when a device that supports IP asks a DNS server for the IP address associated with a domain name. The DNS Server must "look up" the IP associated with that domain name.

For example, if you were to go to Answers.com in your browser, your computer would initiate a DNS Lookup. This process involves asking the Primary DNS Server for Answers.com's IP address. The DNS Server will ask other servers until the IP address is found and the information returned to you.

Assuming it is not cached, to find the IP address for wiki.answers.com, your DNS Server would first ask a DNS Root server for the DNS Server that handles "com". The root server would reply with the IP address for "com". Your DNS Server would then find the DNS Server that handles "com" and ask it for "answers.com". The "com" DNS Server would reply with the IP address for "answers.com". Your DNS server would finally find the DNS Server that handles "answers.com" and ask it for "wiki.answers.com".

Once your computer receives the reply containing the IP address for wiki.answers.com, it can finally ask wiki.answers.com for the webpage it hosts.

A common analogy is that DNS is like a very large phonebook. You look through the phonebook for the name you want and it will tell you the number you need to dial the person you're looking for. The process of looking up the number is a "DNS Lookup".

If you would like to experiment with DNS Lookups, you can use the command line utility "nslookup" in Windows or Linux.

User Avatar

Wiki User

12y ago
This answer is:
User Avatar

Add your answer:

Earn +20 pts
Q: What is DNS Lookup?
Write your answer...
Submit
Still have questions?
magnify glass
imp
Related questions

What are some websites offering a reverse DNS lookup service?

In computer networking, reverse DNS lookup or reverse DNS resolution is the determination of a domain name that is associated with given IP adress using DNS of the internet.


What does reverse DNS lookup mean?

Reverse DNS lookup means one is trying to find the domain name associated with a particular IP address. Forward DNS lookup means one is trying to find the IP address associated with a domain name.


What do dns servers use to help resolve IP addresses to dns names?

Forward lookup zones


What is the difference between forward lookup zone and reverse lookup zone in DNS?

Forward lookup is name-to-IP address; the reverse lookup is IP address-to-name.


Where might one go to seek information on DNS Lookup tests?

Information on DNS Lookup tests can be found directly on the manufacturer websites, or can be acquired by contacting a customer helpline representative for further information.


Every DNS lookup involves a trip to the root server. True or False?

False. The computer could have cached a previous lookup.


How does the HOST file relate to DNS?

The host file provides a list of static DNS entries for a specific computer. In general, the computer checks it's host file for DNS lookup before going to the DNS server.If the server name is found in the host file, the computer uses the specified IP address. Otherwise, the server queries a DNS server for name lookup.


What is purchase system?

DNS lookup failed.This message was created by WinRoute Proxy


Which DNS zone resolves an ip address to a qualified domain name?

reverse lookup


What happens if you disable DNS lookup in a production environment?

Incorrect commands will not be automatically resolved.


What is the no ip domain lookup command used for?

Ip domain lookup command used for forward lookup and reverse lookup to be done in router.to resolve name to ip - forward look up and ip to name - reverse look up.. Router is responsiblr for the same hence we configure this cmd in router whereas switch is not responsible for dns lookup hence at the time of switch configuration we disable this cmd with "no ip dns look up".....


Which dns zone resolves an ip address to q qualified domain name?

reverse lookup