In summary, DNS is essential for web services to be accessible by domain names rather than just IP addresses. Additionally, it simplifies remote access by providing memorable hostnames for your servers and devices. Managing your own DNS servers gives you greater control over these critical functions within your IT infrastructure.
- Remote Access: To access your servers or user machines remotely, it's much more convenient to use easy-to-remember hostnames rather than IP addresses. DNS allows you to map these hostnames to IP addresses, making remote access more user-friendly.
- Hosting Web Services: If your organization runs web services, like a website, you need to configure DNS to tell the Internet how to reach your web server. This involves setting up DNS records to associate your domain name with your server's IP address.
So, why might you need to set up your own DNS servers?
- Provided by ISPs: Typically, your router provides your network with the DNS server address, often from your Internet Service Provider (ISP). This allows your devices to access websites seamlessly.
- Automatic Resolution: When you connect a new machine to the Internet, DNS ensures that you don't have to manually type in IP addresses to access websites. It automatically resolves domain names to IP addresses in the background.
DNS (Domain Name System) is a critical network service that maps human-readable domain names to IP addresses. While we often take DNS for granted on our personal computers, it plays a crucial role in managing an organization's IT infrastructure. Here's a quick recap of its importance: