Explaining the Domain Name System

DNS records, name servers, and other aspects of the Internet’s domain name system (DNS) explained. Video illustrates DNS operation, and also includes examples and discussion of NS, A, AAAA and other DNS record types.

If you find this video useful, you may also be interested in my introductions to HTML and CSS, as follows:

More videos on computing and related topics can be found at:

Chapters:
00:00 Introduction
00:51 DNS Operation
04:08 Domains, Name Servers & DNS Records
07:46 Adding a Website
10:20 DNS & E-Mail
11:06 Wrap

#DNS #Nameserver #DNSrecords #ExplainingComputers

[richjamjam]

As someone who runs a global DNS platform for a large UK web host, I can say everything in this is spot on 👍🏻. DNS has lots of gotchas, but for general people's understanding who want to know that bit extra about their web or email hosting DNS, it's perfect.

[auto]

A video I can really ‘dig’ into!
From a security perspective, this is where you can see how the original developers of the internet really did not think about things like, “What happens if a someone sets up their own DNS server and lies about which IP their domain belongs? What if the client gets the wrong information first?”

[silentios]

Its always good to see someone trying to explain "easy" things to the common people. Keep up the good work.

[idowebwork]

Been dealing with DNS and all things web for over 25 years. Absolutely spot on & well explained, as always.

[tonysheerness]

What amazes me is not how it works but how quick it happens.

[bramfran]

Nice. You could also have mentioned that domain names are read from right to left, from the more general word to the more specific one. I found it enlightening when I learned about this.

[michaelwright]

Getting things that clear takes a special talent and a lot of work.

[watsoft]

Spent years in IT and still learning! Thanks Christopher for enlightening someone that appreciated what goes on, but never worried about the mechanics of it. 👍🏻

[MichelMorinMontreal]

A new masterclass to help you understand everything about DNS in 12 minutes! It's got to be done! And it's done! A video to be circulated among geeks and digital students alike. Personally, I learned a lot, so thank you very much.

[MatthewHarrold]

My dad had a 80's folk band with a trumpet player who was a very clever person. He created the Trumpet Winsock over TCP/IP, and made a fortune with Microsoft. He also ran an ISP called TrumpNet in Tasmania (my home island). Irrelevant trivia mode OFF. $0.02

[chriholt]

Thank you Chris (as always). I have had to learn all of these gory details as "on the job training" which I don't regret at all, but it is great to see these explained so clearly!

[dcc]

Your teaching experience and prowess shine through very brightly in these instructional videos. I've seen the same content presented in other videos lasting twice as long, but always evoke more questions than they answer. Having said that, I've administered DNS in some capacity ever since its inception back in the '80's, so I think a more deep-dive video of the various DNS record types and their uses would be beneficial to many users.

[iPondR]

So happy to be a channel member!! This is a topic I've wanted to know about... but didn't know it! Thanks! :D

[ditzydoo]

This has been one of the most simple and complete explanations I've ever received on this subject. Thank you for posting this.

[MicrobyteAlan]

Timely, I need a website for my future 3D Printed, Laser cut, and etched projects. Interesting and well presented. Thanks as always.

[brianwood]

Brilliant, Chris. I appreciate all the time and research you put into finding out what makes the internet tick. Thanks for sharing.

[beltanewalk]

Another cracking episode explaining a complicated subject in a clear and understandable way.
Or rather as clear as possible, given the obligatory jargon and acronyms that comes with anything I.T.

[dankierson]

Short and sweet.
It might have been useful to also outline the various data kept on domain owners and the visibility of such data to the Internet public.
Email deserves a video of its own - as does the 3 DNS records needed for smooth transmission of email.
One topic really needing a comprehensive video is how to set up your own email server on a VPS, interface it with both a mail delivery agent (plus mail user agent or email client) and a webmail server.
Oh to be independent 😊

[stevebrown]

I first learnt about DNS 20 years ago and still find it incredible that the exchange between the device, ISP DNS resolvers and other DNS servers all takes place between when you press Go (or Enter) in the browser and the second or 2 later when the webpage appears, sometimes it's a blink of an eye!

[msulemanf]

Just love this channels direct approach to delivering value.