DNS Resolution

[dusty]

Where does DNS resolution occur;

1) at the origin of a link or

2) at the destination or

3) somewhere else?

[paul heller]

Dusty, I think the answer is some of all three. My understanding is that the administrator of the destination needs to register its IP address with DNS. This is often done automatically by the company (also knows as the registrar) who assigns the domain name.

Then the DNS entries spread throughout the internet. This takes time. There are lots and lots of DNS servers throughout the internet. Each sever tells other servers about the new entry.

Eventually, your computer asks for the DNS information when you access the website, and your computer also stores it locally in something called a cache. Sometimes the local cache gets confused, and it can be reset (called clearing the cache).

If the destination changes its IP address (because it moves it server to a different location, for example), it must register again with DNS, all the DNS servers throughout the internet must update, and your local computer must update. I'm not sure how the "register again" part is accomplished.

What I wrote might not be 100% accurate, but it is pretty close.

Paul

[dusty]

Dusty, I think the answer is some of all three. My understanding is that the administrator of the destination needs to register its IP address with DNS. This is often done automatically by the company (also knows as the registrar) who assigns the domain name.

Then the DNS entries spread throughout the internet. This takes time. There are lots and lots of DNS servers throughout the internet. Each sever tells other servers about the new entry.

Eventually, your computer asks for the DNS information when you access the website, and your computer also stores it locally in something called a cache. Sometimes the local cache gets confused, and it can be reset (called clearing the cache).

If the destination changes its IP address (because it moves it server to a different location, for example), it must register again with DNS, all the DNS servers throughout the internet must update, and your local computer must update. I'm not sure how the "register again" part is accomplished.

What I wrote might not be 100% accurate, but it is pretty close.

PaulThank you, Paul. This is more information to maul over (keeps the gray matter pliable).

I have learned that on my end of this discussion, my ISP (QWest) maintains my IP dynamically.

8194

So I guess the remaining question is how/where is "shopsmith.net" resolved to an IP address.

Whenever I am unable to reach the forum, if I do a trace using VisualRoute 2010 I find that the IP address for "shopsmith.net" cannot be found.

[jmoore65]

Where does DNS resolution occur;

1) at the origin of a link or

2) at the destination or

3) somewhere else?

DNS relies on a hierarchical network of servers to handle resolution from human readable name (e.g. www.shopsmith.net) to IP address (e.g. 24.123.75.51). However, software on your computer may be caching the mapping data locally.

Each domain (e.g. shopsmith.net) has a master DNS server that is the ultimate authority on the mapping info.

Between your computer and the master DNS server is a series of other DNS servers. These servers act as caches to reduce the amount of DNS requests bouncing around the Internet backbone. Your PC is caching the info for the same reason. Mapping data is marked with an expiration timestamp, which will cause workstation or server to do a network query.

Servers generally have static IP addresses.

PCs on broadband connections will generally have dynamic addresses.

Jim

[dusty]

All of this information and so little that I really, really understand.

I sorta get it but then when it seems that everything is setup and working and then without making changes there is a hiccup - that is confusing to me. My aging mind just cannot keep up.

All of that having been said - I have been online without a hiccup since about 4:00am this morning. The traccerts that I have been running seem to run faster. Hopefully this problem is fixed.

[mickyd]

All of this information and so little that I really, really understand....

Thanks cuz there's a bunch of bright people in this forum. :D I always prefered too much than not enough. The 'too much' sinks in after a while.

[wlhayesmfs]

Dusty, you think you are confused I am trying to learn how to build a website and get a provider so I have been asking for advise. Still trying to understand what everyone is telling me. Not much money and seems like it all cost so much to get going. Trying to put something together so I might make a little on the side while looking for work. But enjoying my time on the SS turning and making some toys for the kids.
:)

[wannabewoodworker]

Dusty,
If you are asking this because you cannot get to the forums at times you are not alone. I work in IT as a support engineer and do this stuff all day everyday and I cannot get to the site either on many occassions. Here is what I just got doing two different network query's.

NSLOOKUP = What is the authoritative DNS answer to the query on a domain name/IP address (Shopsmith.net)

Whois = what/who owns the domain for a particular website and what are the authoritative name servers for that domain (Shopsmith.net) this is a very simplistic explanation of what I did and I have done this many times when I cannot get to the site. It would seem they are having issues with their DNS servers or th actual web server itself seems to have a mind of it's own.


nslookup www.shopsmith.net (http://www.shopsmith.net)
Server: vdns1.srv.whplny.cv.net
Address: 167.206.251.129
Non-authoritative answer:
Name: www.shopsmith.net (http://www.shopsmith.net)
Address: 24.123.75.51

WHOIS - shopsmith.net


status = "Getting WHOIS results...";
Registrar: ENOM, INC.Status: clientDeleteProhibitedDates: Created 20-may-1999 Updated 22-apr-2009 Expires 20-may-2010DNS Servers: DNS1.WRIGHTFIELD.COM INTERNET.SHOPSMITH.COM I was referred to whois.enom.com; I'm looking it up there.status = "Looking up at whois.enom.com...";=-=-=-=Registration Service Provided By: Enom, IncContact: ***************@enom.comVisit: www.enom.com Domain name: shopsmith.netRegistrant Contact: Shopsmith, Inc. Shopsmith, Inc. () Fax: 6530 Poe Avenue Dayton, OH 45414 USAdministrative Contact: Shopsmith, Inc. Wes Powell ********@shopsmith.com) +1.9378986070 Fax: +1.9378905197 6530 Poe Avenue Dayton, OH 45414 USTechnical Contact: Shopsmith, Inc. Wes Powell ********@shopsmith.com) +1.9378986070 Fax: +1.9378905197 6530 Poe Avenue Dayton, OH 45414 USStatus: LockedName Servers: dns1.wrightfield.com internet.shopsmith.com Creation date: 20 May 1999 11:48:00Expiration date: 20 May 2010 11:48:00