What Is the Domain Name System - Essay Example

if a computer is named ‘Peter’, on the internal network it will be recognized by its name, not by its IP address. When DNS receives data from the computer named ‘Peter’, it translates the computer name into its IP address so that it can be recognized by routers and switches. Likewise, switches and routers recognize number-based IP addresses, for example, 192.168.0.1 ("What is DNS?” 2005). Moreover, while accessing the Internet, or opening any website, humans need to know only the Uniform Resource Location (URL) i.e. the website address ‘www.hotmail.com’. This is a convenient way for humans of accessing the website with the URL instead of its IP address. DNS is a mechanism that converts these web-based addresses into IP addresses. Consequently, the expediency for humans of accessing IP address-based systems via easy names is handled by the DNS server. DNS server is configured separately for this specific function in organizations.

Important Components of DNS

A typical DNS server requires the configuration of critical components to work correctly. One of these components is the Resource Records (RRs) (Davidowicz, 1999) as these records are configured to handle several tasks including the translation of URLs into IP addresses, identification of host and host names i.e. the web server on which the website is hosted and processes associated with mail exchange functions.

Size and Function of Domain Name System

DNS logical architecture resembles a tree structure that works from top to bottom along with branches that are called leaves i.e. every single branch represents a leave (Davidowicz, 1999). Likewise, the main branch also called a node from where the tree originates extends from top to bottom and represents the root. Nodes can be represented as .org, .com, .was, etc. identifying the label of the website. If the length of the website is long there will be more branches and nodes associated with it. Likewise, while considering a URL from a DNS structure representing a tree, labels are selected from the direction i.e. from left to right. In the current information age, many DNS servers are in operation in the UK that are controlled and managed by many companies that are located throughout the world. However, only technical issues are handled by these organizations. Moreover, if any technical modifications and configurations are required in the DNS server, for example, changes in the operational procedures required for minimizing security threats, these organizations are accountable for these changes and not the governmental and legislative bodies.

Effect of UK Legislation on DNS Operations and Limitations

As mentioned before, DNS servers are operating throughout the world for connecting computer networks, data, and information exchange (UK DNS, 2011), there is less likelihood that these DNS servers require shut down or are blocked by the affected country officials. However, in some cases, for countering a global threat, changes or temporary blocking may be required to restrict certain websites in affected regions, for instance in the UK, for a limited period ("Site Blocking...", 2011).

Prime Limitation of DNS Operations

The purpose of the DNS was to balance the load between number of servers (Devitt, 2008). Nevertheless, the framework via which the load is divided between numbers of servers does not assure accurate load balancing. Consequently, the prime limitation of DNS is the inadequate load balancing between the servers.