DNS (Domain Name System) is the protocol that lets computers translate human-friendly domain names into the numeric addresses computers actually use to find each other online. This article explains why DNS exists and defines the key terms you'll see throughout Hover's DNS tools.
Why DNS exists
People access websites using a domain name, like hover.com. Computers, however, use IP addresses — numeric labels such as 64.99.80.28 — to find each other on the internet. Whether you type hover.com or 64.99.80.28 into a browser, both lead to the same website. DNS translates the domain name into the correct IP address behind the scenes, so your browser knows where to connect and you don't have to memorize a string of numbers.
Through DNS, you can connect your domain name to web hosting, email, or other online services.
DNS terminology explained
Term | Definition |
|---|---|
DNS | Short for Domain Name System — the internet's directory service that translates human-friendly domain names into the numeric IP addresses computers use to locate each other. |
DNS servers | Computers that store and share DNS records. Four types work together: DNS recursors, root nameservers, TLD nameservers, and authoritative nameservers. |
Authoritative nameserver | The nameserver that holds the actual DNS records for a domain and determines where it points. You can manage your Hover domain's authoritative nameservers from your Hover account — see Changing your domain nameservers. |
IP address | A numeric address (like 64.99.80.28) assigned to every device connected to the internet. |
Hostname | The label assigned to a specific server or device. A domain name becomes a hostname once it's pointed at a specific IP address — for example, hover.com becomes a hostname once it resolves to 64.99.80.28. |
A record | A DNS record that maps a domain name to the IP address of its host server. |
CNAME record | Also called an alias — a DNS record that points one hostname to another hostname, rather than directly to an IP address. |
MX record | A DNS record that specifies which mail server should receive email for a domain. |
DNS caching | The length of time a DNS server keeps DNS data before checking for updates. |
DNS propagation | The time it takes for updated DNS data to reach every DNS server worldwide after a change is made. |
TTL | Short for time to live — the number of seconds an authoritative nameserver tells other nameservers to cache a record before checking for changes. |
Zone file | The file that stores all DNS records for a domain. If your domain uses Hover nameservers, you manage your zone file through your Hover account — see Managing DNS records. |
Next steps
- Check or update your nameservers. See Changing your domain nameservers to confirm where your domain is pointed.
- Add or edit DNS records. See Managing DNS records to connect your domain to a website, email provider, or other service.
Questions? Contact Hover Support.
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