DNS Query

Step-by-step DNS Query

Step 1: Does the client know the IP address.

The clients computer will check to see if it has the IP address in the DNS cache for 'example.com'

if not move to step 2.

Step 2: Does the Router know the IP address.

The client will ask the gateway if it knows the IP address of 'example.com'. If not move to step 3.

Step 3: Does the ISP Recursive DNS server know the IP address.

The router will pass the query onto the ISP and the ISP will check if it has the IP address in its DNS cache and return it to the gateway and onto the client. If not move to step 4

Step 4: Root DNS server

The recursive DNS server will ask for the IP address of example.com. If not it will direct to the appropriate TLD DNS server (.com, .net, .org, etc.) and move to step 5

Step 5: TLD DNS server

The recursive DNS server will ask the TLD DNS server if it knows the IP address of example.com. If not it will direct it to the authoritative server move to step 6.

Step 6: Authoritative server

The authoritative server is where 'example.com' is being hosted. Will return IP address to the Recursive DNS Server.

Step 7: Recursive DNS

Once the Recursive DNS knows the IP address