A nameserver, often referred to as a DNS (Domain Name System) server, is a crucial part of the internet infrastructure. Its primary function is to translate human-readable domain names into their corresponding numerical IP addresses that computers use to identify and communicate with each other over a network.
When you enter a website’s domain name (e.g., www.example.com) into a web browser, your computer needs to know the IP address of the server hosting that website to establish a connection. The DNS system helps with this by providing a way to map domain names to IP addresses. Nameservers store DNS records that contain information about domain names and their associated IP addresses.
When someone accesses a website or sends an email, their device queries a nameservers to obtain the IP address linked to the domain name they’ve entered. This process is crucial for the internet to function smoothly because it enables users to use domain names instead of having to remember and enter IP addresses for every website or service they want to access.
Nameservers work in a hierarchical structure. For any domain, there are typically multiple nameservers responsible for storing information about that domain. The top-level domain (TLD) nameservers handle information about top-level domains like .com, .org, .net, etc. Beneath them, there are authoritative nameservers that store information about specific domains, providing IP addresses for those domains’ resources, such as web servers, mail servers, etc.
In summary, nameservers or DNS servers play a crucial role in translating domain names into IP addresses, facilitating the proper routing of internet traffic and enabling users to access various online services by using human-readable domain names.You can update nameservers at the domain registrar where you initially registered your domain name. The process might slightly differ based on the registrar you’re using, but generally, the steps to update nameservers involve:
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Log into your Domain Registrar Account:
Access the website of the domain registrar where you purchased your domain name and log in using your credentials.
Locate Domain Management or DNS Settings:
Find the section or menu that allows you to manage your domains or edit DNS settings. It might be labeled as “Domain Management,” “DNS Management,” “Manage Domains,” or similar.
Select the Domain:
Choose the specific domain for which you want to update the nameservers.
Find the Nameserver Settings:
Look for an option related to nameservers. It could be labeled as “Nameservers,” “DNS Management,” “Nameservers Settings,” or something similar.
Enter the New Nameserver Information:
Replace the existing nameservers information with the new nameservers details provided by your web hosting provider or DNS service. Usually, you’ll need to input the nameservers addresses in the format ns1.example.com and ns2.example.com.
Save Changes:
After entering the new nameservers information, make sure to save the changes.
Wait for Propagation:
DNS propagation can take some time (up to 24-48 hours in some cases) for the changes to be recognized across the internet. During this time, some users might see the old information, while others will see the updated details.
Always ensure that you have the correct nameservers information provided by your hosting provider or DNS service before making changes. If you’re unsure about this information, contact your hosting provider’s support team for guidance.
Note: It’s essential to be cautious when modifying nameservers settings, as incorrect changes can impact your website and email services. If you’re uncertain about making these changes yourself, consider seeking assistance from technical support or customer service provided by your domain registrar or hosting company.
