DNS Servers?

Node Man

Hi Everybody,
Is a DNS Server actually a whole server or just the interface with the dns server ip address?

Thanks

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Comments

iamme4eva

DNS is usually an application running on a server. A DNS server can, and usually does, hold multiple roles - it does more than just be a DNS server.

The server uses TCP or UDP port 53 for the DNS communication.

Node Man

iamme4eva wrote: »

DNS is usually an application running on a server. A DNS server can, and usually does, hold multiple roles - it does more than just be a DNS server.

The server uses TCP or UDP port 53 for the DNS communication.

thanks, i was confusing a server with a router.

paul78

Node Man wrote: »

i was confusing a server with a router.

You actually asked an good question.

The term "server" is often used in a generalized sense to describe an architectural design concept (I.e. client-server) - not necessarily a server computer. So "server" doesn't necessarily mean a piece of hardware running a server operating system. A DNS client in your example would be the application that communicates with the DNS server. The DNS server could be an application running on a router, desktop, or even smartphone; basically any other computing device capable of hosting an application.

The same nomenclature is also used when people say "web server", "mail server", "X Server", etc..

DANMOH009

When i was first introduced to networking, this concept confused me as well. I always reverted back to the DHCP server concept. In your normal home set-up your router is the DHCP server gives out IP address's when you connect wirelessly to it or wired. In larger organisation some companies will have a stand alone server which does this along side active directory etc...

I suppose im just confirming what paul is saying, a server can be something big or something small as long as it runs a service.