Internet, Privacy, Security

What is a DNS server?

DNS stands for “Domain Name System”. The name reveals what the task of the server involves. It is responsible for the name resolution of a network. It manages the DNS records, so to speak. The DNS server is thus an extremely important service!

The DNS server manages IP-addresses and the associated Internet page names – visually comparable to a telephone. You know the phone number (IP), but not the address (domain). The DNS server solves this problem. The DNS server converts the provided Request to the domain to thecorresponding IP address (=name resolution).

Among its “phone numbers” it counts the IPv4 and IPv6 addresses. The first version of IP addresses IPv4 shows a 10-digit number. With IPv6 addresses, larger number combinations are possible. IPv6 was introduced because too many addresses were assigned.

How does a DNS server work?

The DNS server is set by default in the router by your Internet provider. A DNS server translatesdomain names into IP addresses. There is a primary and a secondary name server. This way you are protected from failures. The Secondary Server is a replication/back-up of the First.

A DNS server is additionally equipped with a cache. Here the requests are stored to save the resources of the server. With the cache function, domains are accessible even though they have moved. However, the cache is cleaned regularly. Exactly the cache that stores the history of your search queries and domains.

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Troubleshooting “DNS server not responding.”

What does the error message “DNS server isnotresponding “mean? It means that the browser does not connect to the Internet.

There are several reasons why the DNS server cannot match the name. It could be be a temporary network failure or be due to the firewall settings. Another cause is an overloaded server. Here you will learn how to fix the problem in three steps:

Switchingweb browsers: Common web browsers include Mozilla Firefox, Chrome, Internet Explorer, and Safari. Try to see if you can access the web page in an alternative application. Check how up-to-date your browser version is. With the current Mozilla, Chrome, … version it works!
Firewall-Settings disable: Disable your firewall for a short moment. Is the problem fixed? If yes, it is due to your firewall settings.
Restartrouter : Most problems can be solved by restarting the router. Press the power button to restart the box. Alternatively, a hard reboot will work. To do this, unplug the power cord, wait 30 seconds and turn on the router again.
SwapDNS servers . If all the previous steps do not help, choose another DNS server. You can replace the DNS server via your network settings. Alternatives are public DNS servers or the secure and stable Google DNS server. Here have we censorship-free and trusted DNS servers listed. You ensure a no-logging policy, DNSSEC validation and anti-spoofing protection

Digitalcourage e.V. IPv4: 46.182.19.48 / IPv6: 2a02:2970:1002::18 / dns2.digitalcourage.de
Digital Society (CH) IPv4: 185.95.218.42 / IPv6: 2a05:fc84::42 / dns.digitale-gesellschaft.ch, IPv4: 185.95.218.43 / IPv6: 2a05:fc84::43 / dns.digitale-gesellschaft.ch
Freifunk Munich IPv4: 5.1.66.255 / IPv6: 2001:678:e68:f000:: / dot.ffmuc.net / doh.ffmuc.net

Change DNS Server under Windows

Go to your network connections. Right click on “Properties
Select “Internet Protocol, Version 4 (TCP/IPv4)” from the list. Go to “Properties”.
Under “Use the following DNS server addresses” you can enter up to two DNS servers
With a final click on “OK” the DNS servers are taken over.

What other DNS records are there besides IPv4 and IPv6?

There are other attributes that the DNS server manages. The records in a DNS zone are called resource records.

Record-Type	Entry	Explanation of DNS records
A	IPv4 address	Stands for the classic DNS record, mapping of a domain to the IPv4 address.
AAAA	IPv6 address	Stands for the classic DNS record, mapping of a domain to the IPv6 address.
CNAME = Canonical NAME.	Reference, redirect or alias	A reference to map a domain to another domain. HTTP, SMTP, IMAP, POP or FTP protocols are forwarded with the CNAME
MX = Mail Exchange	responsible mail server for the zone (Mail Exchange)	is an entry for the e-mail service used. Important for using different mail servers and setting priorities
NS = Name Server Resource Record	responsible name server for the zone	A name server is specified for a subdomain.
SRV	Server for a service in the Windows AD	Setting for port as well as the protocol and IP-based services (SIP/VoIP or XMPP)
TXT	returns a text	TXT records are used to coordinate management and create SPF entries