DNS zone – What do you need to know about it?

DNS zone – What does it mean?

The DNS is made up of numerous DNS zones. Moreover, the DNS server you’re using can better handle several zones to manage the DNS namespace. So, we can say that a DNS zone is a subset of the DNS namespace that a single administrator manages. It’s utilized as an organizational segment to provide you more control over DNS things like authoritative namespaces.

For your domain to function correctly, you must point it to various servers, including web servers, mail servers, etc. This is accomplished by adding multiple types of DNS records to the DNS zone. So, the DNS zone is where all Domain Name System records are stored. It is also the lone component responsible for the existence of the Domain Name System (DNS).

Why is DNS management so important?

How does the SPF record work?

SPF record – definition

The Sender Policy Framework record, or simply for short SPF record, is a DNS record that indicates the email servers that are qualified for sending email messages on behalf of the domain name. 

Cyber-criminals are capable of forging emails in a lot of different ways. So, they are able to change the “Mail from” and mask the emails to look like legit ones coming from a particular domain. Yet, they actually are not from the original source.

Thanks to the SPF record, it is possible to establish strict rules. The DNS administrator applies SPF to precisely limit who is able to use the domain to send emails. The recipient, on the other hand, is able to check the authorization.

How to check you SPF record?

PTR record: Why is it important?

What does the PTR record mean? 

The PTR record, also known as a pointer record, has a very precise goal. It has to point the IP address to the domain name. In addition, this type of DNS record is able to work either with IPv4 addresses or with IPv6 addresses efficiently. Therefore, thanks to the pointer record, you are able to configure and perform Reverse DNS. 

This DNS record gives the ability to ensure and verify that the particular IP address is exactly belonging to the domain name. That is very important when it comes to sending an email. The receiving mail servers usually desire to verify the source of the email and perform a reverse DNS lookup. Therefore, they examine and seek exactly the PTR records. 

How to configure PTR record?

Recursive DNS server explained.

The Recursive DNS server has a significant role in the Domain Name System. So, let’s explain a little bit more about it.

What is the purpose of DNS?

The Domain Name System, or for short DNS, is a fundamental piece of the Internet. It includes a process in which the different domain names are translated into their corresponding IP addresses (IPv4 or IPv6). There are two different ways to request a domain. The first way is also the human way by using the domain names. That is an alternative for humans to memorize only the name of their requested and preferred website. The second way is also the machine way by using the IP address. They use the long series of numbers to communicate with other machines and computers successfully.

MX record: Why is it important?

MX record is one of the common DNS records that is essential to know. Each action that you want to perform and is related to domains also requires DNS records for guidance. So let’s explain what the purpose of it is and why it is important.

MX record explained

You can probably find the MX record to be called a mail exchanger record. Don’t get confused. It is the same thing. The DNS MX record points to which server is arranged for accepting the emails that go for an exact domain. 

For example, if you want to send an email to Daniel@example.com, your device will have to know the location of Daniel’s email host. Therefore, it will view for the MX record on the name server of the domain. This server has the data for the domain example.com. After once you have it, your device will get the information about the server, which is arranged to accept the mail. After that, it will send the email there.

So to get it clear.

People need it to send you emails. More accurately to your domain. They receive the information about where the mails are supposed to be sent and the correct server. 

How to create a DNS MX record?

What does a Primary DNS server mean?

If you could have an x-ray of the Internet or any other network, you could see how servers are the keystone for them to work. The amount of them and the tasks they comply with are vital for these systems’ existence. 

What does a Primary DNS server mean?

It’s called Primary DNS server or Master DNS server. These names indicate its importance since it’s the source of all the original data for a specific DNS zone and its corresponding domains. A Primary DNS server is responsible for storing all the DNS records for its DNS zone. Therefore, every time a record (or more) requires a change, edition, or to be deleted, that can only be made in the original source, the Primary DNS server.

How does the Primary DNS server work?

List of DNS hosting providers to choose from

When searching for the best DNS hosting providers for your needs, you must consider the reputation, quality of service, advanced DNS features, limits of resources, security, and price. It could be a very hard decision. This is why we have created a short list that could help you with the initial research.

Domain Parking explained

The success of the Internet brought new possibilities and boosted creativity in different directions. It opened the door to alternative business’ strategies, like domain parking. 

What is domain parking?

Domain parking is the practice of registering a domain name without activating the common functions websites have. As a result, the owner has a static HTML web page, only informative, not interactive. Usually, the information those pages offer is the domain name’s objective and owner’s contact.

DNSSEC explained

DNSSEC can be spotted as an application to, in other cases, insecure DNS. It brings cryptography within and a complete line of trust. That is a guarantee for each level and implements top-notch security for your domain. 

What is DNSSEC?

The short DNSSEC is an acronym for Domain Name System Security Extensions. The primary DNS is reliable and fast, but its downside is that it lacks security. Back in the days when it was created, it wasn’t that of a problem. Later on, things change. 

DNS lookup: How to perform it? (Dig, NSlookup, Host command, Online tools)

There are many ways to perform a DNS lookup. You can do it through any web browser, even from a smartphone, or if you prefer, there are different built-in commands inside most popular OSes. These commands are the NSlookup command, host command, and dig command. You can use them for a quick check of your domain and troubleshooting problems.

DNS lookup with a Dig command