What Is a DNS Server and Where Do I Find It?

What Is a DNS Server and Where Do I Find It?

Introduction:

Have you ever wondered how your computer connects to websites on the internet? Or how it translates a website’s name, like www.example.com, into an actual IP address?

Well, that’s where a DNS server comes into play. In this article, we’ll explore what a DNS server is and where to find it.

Understanding DNS:

DNS stands for Domain Name System. It is like the phonebook of the internet. When you enter a website’s URL in your browser, such as www.com, your computer needs to know which IP address corresponds to that domain name in order to establish a connection.

The DNS server acts as the middleman between your computer and the website you’re trying to reach. It translates the human-readable domain names into their corresponding IP addresses so that data can be transmitted across the internet.

Finding Your DNS Server:

You might be wondering how to find out which DNS server your device is currently using. Here are some methods for different operating systems:

Windows:

1. Open the Command Prompt by pressing Win + R, typing “cmd” and pressing Enter.
2. In the Command Prompt window, type “ipconfig /all” and press Enter.
3. Look for the “DNS Servers” line under your network adapter’s details. The IP addresses listed there are your DNS servers.

macOS:

1. Click on the Apple menu at the top-left corner and select “System Preferences.”
2. Click on the “Network” icon.
3. Select your network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) from the left sidebar.
4. Click on the “Advanced” button in the bottom-right corner.
5. Go to the “DNS” tab, and you’ll find your DNS server addresses listed there.

Linux:

1. Open a terminal window by pressing Ctrl + Alt + T.
2. Type “cat /etc/resolv.conf” and press Enter.
3. Your DNS server addresses will be displayed next to “nameserver”.

Changing Your DNS Server:

If you want to change your DNS server for any reason, follow these steps:

Windows:

1. Open the Control Panel from the Start menu.
2. Click on “Network and Internet. “
3. Select “Network and Sharing Center.

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4. Click on your active network connection, then click on “Properties. “
5. Select “Internet Protocol Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” and click on “Properties. “
6. In the new window, choose either “Obtain DNS server address automatically” or enter custom DNS server addresses under the “Use the following DNS server addresses” option.

macOS:

To change your DNS server on macOS, follow these steps:

a. Using System Preferences:

1. Open “System Preferences” from the Apple menu.
2. Click on “Network.

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3. Select your network connection (Wi-Fi or Ethernet) from the left sidebar.
4. Click on the “Advanced” button in the bottom-right corner.
5. Go to the “DNS” tab and remove existing DNS servers by clicking on the “-” button. Then add new DNS server addresses by clicking on the “+” button.

b. Using Terminal:

1. Open a terminal window.
2. Type “sudo nano /etc/resolv.
3. Edit the file and replace existing DNS servers with new ones. Press Ctrl + X, then type “Y” to save changes and press Enter.

Linux:

To change your DNS server on Linux, follow these steps:

a. Using Network Manager:

1. Click on the network icon in your system tray and select “Edit Connections. “


2. Select your active network connection and click on “Edit.

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3. In the new window, go to the “IPv4 Settings” or “IPv6 Settings” tab, depending on your network configuration.


4. In the DNS section, select either “Automatic,” or enter custom DNS server addresses in the respective fields. Click on “Save. “

b. Modifying Resolv.conf File:

1. Open a terminal window.

Conclusion:

A DNS server is a critical component of the internet infrastructure that helps translate domain names into IP addresses. By understanding how DNS works and knowing how to find and change your DNS server, you have more control over your internet experience.

Experimenting with different DNS servers can also enhance your browsing speed and security. So, go ahead and explore the world of DNS!