Domain Name System (DNS)

Computers use DNS to translate website names (e.g., www.example.com) into IP addresses.If the IP address is unknown, the system queries a DNS server.The DNS server address is usually received automatically via DHCP.

  • DNS server details are stored in the file: /etc/resolv.conf
  • The host command is used to resolve a hostname to an IP address

  • Example of a typical DNS configuration: nameserver 127.0.0.1

    • The nameserver entry specifies which DNS server to use.
    • Multiple nameserver entries can exist to provide backup DNS servers if one fails.

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