What is the domain name resolution process?

domain editor
18 Apr 2025 04:23:40 PM
In the Internet world, domain name resolution is the process of converting human-readable domain names into computer-understandable IP addresses. This process is actually a complex system involving multiple participants and steps to ensure

In the Internet world, domain name resolution is the process of converting human-readable domain names into computer-understandable IP addresses. This process is actually a complex system involving multiple participants and steps to ensure that users can accurately access the website or service they want. Below we will introduce the process of domain name resolution in detail.

1. Enter the domain name:

The user enters a domain name in the browser, such as www.example.com.

2. Local DNS cache query:

The browser will first check the DNS cache of the local computer to see if there is already a resolution record for the domain name. If so, the browser will directly use the IP address in the cache and skip the subsequent steps.

3. Send a resolution request:

If the domain name resolution record is not found in the local DNS cache, the browser will send the resolution request to the local DNS resolver (generally provided by the Internet service provider), which is responsible for processing the resolution request.

4. Root domain name server query:

After receiving the resolution request, the local DNS resolver will send a query request to the root domain name server. The root domain name server is the top-level server of the Internet DNS system, which stores the address information of the world's top-level domain name servers.

5. Top-level domain name server query:

The root domain name server returns the address information of the top-level domain name server to the local DNS resolver. Then, the local DNS resolver sends a query request to the top-level domain name server to obtain the authoritative domain name server address of the target domain name.

6. Authoritative domain name server query:

The local DNS resolver obtains the IP address of the target domain name by querying the authoritative domain name server. The authoritative domain name server is a server responsible for managing a specific domain name, which saves the mapping relationship between the domain name and the IP address.

7. Return the resolution result:

The authoritative domain name server returns the IP address of the target domain name to the local DNS resolver.

8. Return to the browser:

The local DNS resolver returns the obtained IP address to the user's browser.

9. Establish a connection:

The browser uses the obtained IP address to establish a connection with the target server to enable the user to access the website or service.

The entire domain name resolution process may only take a few milliseconds to complete. However, it involves the collaboration of multiple participants, including the local DNS resolver, the root domain name server, the top-level domain name server, and the authoritative domain name server to ensure that the domain name can be correctly resolved to the corresponding IP address.

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