Is Web Server Same as DNS Server?

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Larry Thompson

Is Web Server Same as DNS Server?

When it comes to the world of web hosting and domain management, there are several components that play crucial roles. Two such components are the web server and the DNS server.

While they both serve important functions, they are not the same thing. In this article, we will explore the differences between a web server and a DNS server.

Web Server

A web server is a software or hardware component that serves web pages and content to users when requested. It is responsible for handling HTTP requests from clients (usually web browsers) and delivering the requested resources, such as HTML, CSS, JavaScript files, images, videos, etc.

Key Points about Web Servers:

  • A web server hosts websites and applications on the internet.
  • It receives requests from clients and responds with the requested content.
  • Examples of popular web servers include Apache HTTP Server, Nginx, Microsoft IIS, etc.
  • Web servers generally listen on port 80 for HTTP requests and port 443 for HTTPS requests.

DNS Server

DNS stands for Domain Name System. A DNS server is responsible for translating human-readable domain names like “example.com” into IP addresses like “192.168.0.1”. This translation is necessary because computers communicate using IP addresses rather than domain names.

Key Points about DNS Servers:

  • A DNS server maintains a database of domain name to IP address mappings known as DNS records.
  • When a user enters a domain name in their browser, the browser queries a DNS server to obtain the corresponding IP address.
  • DNS servers also handle other types of queries, such as finding mail servers for a domain (MX records) or verifying the authenticity of digital certificates (DNSSEC).
  • Popular DNS server software includes BIND, PowerDNS, and Microsoft DNS Server.

Differences between Web Server and DNS Server

Now that we have a basic understanding of web servers and DNS servers, let’s highlight the key differences between them:

Functionality:

A web server delivers web content to clients upon request, handling HTTP(S) requests. On the other hand, a DNS server translates domain names into IP addresses.

Communication Protocol:

A web server communicates using the HTTP(S) protocol. It listens on ports 80 (HTTP) and 443 (HTTPS). In contrast, a DNS server uses the DNS protocol and operates on port 53.

Responsibility:

A web server is responsible for hosting websites and applications. It handles requests for specific resources and delivers them to clients. A DNS server is responsible for resolving domain names to IP addresses and providing other related information.

Software:

The choice of software for web servers includes Apache HTTP Server, Nginx, Microsoft IIS, etc. For DNS servers, popular software options are BIND, PowerDNS, Microsoft DNS Server.

Conclusion

In summary, while both web servers and DNS servers play significant roles in website hosting and domain management, they are distinct components with different functionalities. The web server serves website content to users upon request, while the DNS server translates domain names into IP addresses. Understanding these differences is important for anyone involved in managing websites or working with internet infrastructure.

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