TTL: What Everyone Needs to Know

Time to Live (TTL) is a concept that, although technical in nature, has wide-ranging implications for everyone using the internet. Whether you’re a website owner, an avid gamer, a network administrator, or simply someone browsing the web, understanding TTL can enhance your online experience. This blog post will delve into the essentials of Time to Live, its significance in various contexts, and how it influences the performance and security of online activities.

What is TTL?

TTL stands for Time to Live. It is a value that specifies the lifespan of data in a network. This lifespan is not measured in units of time, such as seconds or minutes, but rather in “hops.” Each hop represents one leg of the journey from source to destination across network devices like routers. When data is sent across the network, its Time to Live value decreases by one with each hop it takes. Once the Time to Live reaches zero, the data packet is discarded or deleted. This mechanism prevents data packets from circulating indefinitely in the network, potentially causing congestion or loops.

The Role of TTL in DNS

One of the most common contexts in which TTL is discussed is in the Domain Name System (DNS). DNS TTL values determine how long a DNS record is cached by a resolver or a browser. A lower TTL means that the cached information is updated more frequently, ensuring that users are directed to the correct server more reliably. However, this also means more DNS lookup requests, which can slightly slow down the initial connection to a website. A higher Time to Live, conversely, reduces the number of lookups but might delay the propagation of changes to DNS records.

Time to Live and Internet Security

TTL values can also have implications for internet security. For instance, attackers might manipulate TTL values in packet headers to bypass security measures that rely on analyzing hop counts. Conversely, security systems can monitor Time to Live values to detect and mitigate such attacks, ensuring data integrity and secure communication channels.

TTL in Networking and Performance Optimization

In networking, understanding and optimizing Time to Live values can significantly impact performance and resource utilization. For example, in content delivery networks (CDNs), strategically setting TTL values for different types of content can balance the load on origin servers and reduce latency for end-users. This optimization ensures that static content (like images and CSS files) is cached longer than dynamic content, which needs more frequent updates.

How TTL Affects You

For website owners and developers, managing Time to Live values for DNS records is crucial for balancing site reliability and responsiveness, especially during updates or migrations. For the average user, TTL plays a silent yet essential role in ensuring that the content they access is up-to-date and that their browsing experience is as smooth as possible.

Conclusion

While Time to Live might seem like a deeply technical concept, its implications touch on every aspect of our online interactions. From enhancing website performance to securing data transmission and optimizing network resources, understanding TTL can help both individuals and organizations make informed decisions about their online presence and activities. By striking the right balance in Time to Live settings, we can all contribute to a more efficient, secure, and reliable internet.

IPv4 vs. IPv6: Giving Your Network an Upgrade

The digital world is in a constant state of evolution, and the systems underpinning the Internet are no exception. One of the most significant shifts in recent years has been the transition from IPv4 to IPv6. This article will delve into the differences between the two and the advantages of upgrading your network to support IPv6. So, let’s now see IPv4 vs. IPv6 – all you need to know!

What is IPv4?

IPv4, which stands for Internet Protocol version 4, is the fourth version of the Internet Protocol (IP). Introduced in 1981, IPv4 has been the foundation of internet addressing for decades. An IPv4 address is composed of four sets of numbers ranging from 0 to 255, separated by periods. For example, 192.168.0.1.

What is IPv6?

IPv6, or Internet Protocol version 6, is the successor to IPv4. Designed to address the limitations and shortages of IPv4 addresses, IPv6 was introduced in 1998. An IPv6 address is longer and consists of eight groups of four hexadecimal digits, separated by colons. An example would be: 2001:0db8:85a3:0000:0000:8a2e:0370:7334.

Why the need for IPv6?

  1. Address Exhaustion: One of the most pressing reasons for the development of IPv6 was the anticipated exhaustion of available IPv4 addresses. The Internet has grown exponentially, and with billions of devices connecting to it, the 4.3 billion addresses provided by IPv4 are insufficient.
  2. Simplified Packet Header: IPv6 has a more streamlined packet header which can result in more efficient routing and packet processing.
  3. Improved Security: IPv6 was designed with security in mind. IPsec, a suite for securing IP communications, is mandatory for IPv6, whereas it’s only optional for IPv4.

IPv4 vs. IPv6: The Key Differences

  • Address Length: As mentioned, IPv4 addresses are 32-bit, resulting in about 4.3 billion unique addresses, while IPv6 addresses are 128-bit, leading to an almost infinite number of unique addresses.
  • Address Configuration: IPv4 can be configured either manually or through DHCP. IPv6 can automatically assign itself an IP address.
  • Routing: IPv6 has simpler and more hierarchical routing, which reduces the size of routing tables and makes routing more efficient.
  • Network Address Translation (NAT): IPv4 often requires NAT to handle address shortages, which can cause complications in certain applications. With the abundance of addresses in IPv6, NAT becomes unnecessary.
  • Mobility: Mobile IPv6, unlike its predecessor, allows for better mobile connections without the need to change the IP address.

Why Upgrade to IPv6?

  • Future-Proofing: With the continued growth of the Internet and the rise of the Internet of Things (IoT), the demand for IP addresses will only increase. Adopting IPv6 ensures that you won’t run out of addresses.
  • Improved Performance: Some studies have shown that IPv6 can provide a faster and more reliable user experience because of its simplified packet header.
  • Enhanced Security: With built-in IPsec support, IPv6 offers better security features right out of the box.
  • Ease of Network Management: Due to auto-configuration capabilities, network management becomes more straightforward with IPv6.

Conclusion

While the transition to IPv6 might seem daunting, the benefits it brings in terms of scalability, security, and efficiency are worth the effort. As more ISPs, content providers, and enterprises support IPv6, the momentum is clear. It’s not about replacing IPv4 overnight, but rather preparing and future-proofing your network for the evolving digital landscape. Embracing IPv6 ensures that your network remains robust, secure, and ready for the next phase of the Internet’s growth.

What is DNS resolution and Why is it important?

In the vast landscape of the internet, where countless websites, servers, and services are interconnected, the Domain Name System (DNS) plays a crucial role in ensuring seamless communication. DNS resolution, a fundamental aspect of this system, might seem like technical jargon to many, but it is an essential function that keeps the internet accessible and user-friendly. In this article, we will explore what it is, how it works, and why it is of paramount importance in the digital age.

Understanding DNS Resolution

DNS resolution is the process by which a human-readable domain name is translated into the corresponding numerical IP address. Computers and network devices rely on IP addresses to locate and communicate with one another. However, for users, remembering complex IP addresses for every website they visit is impractical and challenging. This is where the DNS ( Domain Name System) comes into play.

When you type a URL into your web browser or click on a link, your device initiates a DNS resolution process to find the IP address associated with that domain name. This is accomplished through a series of steps involving DNS servers.

The DNS Resolution Process

Let’s break down this complicated process into several easy steps:

  1. Local DNS Cache: The process often begins with your device’s local DNS cache. If you have visited a website recently, your device may already have the corresponding IP address stored in its cache, saving time and reducing the load on DNS servers.
  2. Recursive DNS Server: If the IP address is not found in the local cache or if you are visiting a new website, your device sends a request to a recursive DNS server provided by your internet service provider (ISP). This server is responsible for handling the entire resolution process.
  3. Root DNS Servers: The recursive DNS server, if it doesn’t have the IP address in its cache, contacts the root DNS servers. These servers are the highest level in the DNS hierarchy and contain information about the authoritative DNS servers for top-level domains like .com, .org, and .net.
  4. TLD DNS Servers: The root DNS servers direct the recursive DNS server to the top-level domain (TLD) DNS server associated with the domain you are trying to access. For example, if you are visiting www.example.com, the TLD DNS server for .com is queried.
  5. Authoritative DNS Servers: The TLD DNS server, in turn, points to the authoritative DNS servers for the specific domain, which finally provides the IP address associated with the requested domain name.
  6. Return IP Address: Once the authoritative DNS servers respond with the IP address, the recursive DNS server caches this information and returns it to your device. Subsequently, your device stores the IP address in its local cache for future use.

Why Is it Important?

  • User-Friendly Experience: The process makes the internet user-friendly. It allows users to access websites, services, and resources by simply typing in easy-to-remember domain names instead of complex IP addresses.
  • Load Distribution: DNS resolution enables load distribution across multiple servers through techniques like round-robin DNS. This ensures that no single server is overwhelmed with traffic, contributing to better website performance and reliability.
  • Fault Tolerance: If one server or data centre becomes unavailable, DNS can redirect traffic to alternative IP addresses, minimizing downtime.
  • Geographic Redirection: DNS resolution can be used for geographic redirection, ensuring that users are directed to the nearest server or data centre for faster access and improved performance.

Conclusion

DNS resolution might be a behind-the-scenes process, but it is undeniably crucial for the functionality and accessibility of the internet. It simplifies how we access websites, enhances performance, and ensures that the internet remains a reliable and dynamic global network. So, the next time you type a URL into your browser, remember that DNS resolution is at work, translating your friendly web address into the numerical language of the internet.

7 fundamental DNS records you need to know

Are you looking to understand the basics of DNS records? Then this blog post is for you! We’ll cover seven of the fundamental DNS records you need to know to get on the right foot with your domain setup. So read more about SOA, A, CNAME, MX, SPF, NS, and TXT records.

DNS SOA records

DNS SOA (Start of Authority) records are essential in a name server’s database. They specify basic information about a domain, such as the name of the server that supplied the data, the contact information of the domain administrator, and the default TTL (time to live) settings. The purpose of an SOA record is to provide a single, authoritative source of information about the domain and its associated name servers.

SOA records work with other resources, such as NS, A, and MX records, to provide a comprehensive domain view. However, with proper configuration, the various records of a DNS zone can stay in sync, leading to resource conflicts and other technical issues. For this reason, maintaining a valid and accurate SOA record is essential to the function of a domain’s name server properly.

DNS A records

DNS A (Address) records are one of the most common records in a name server’s database. They are responsible for mapping hostnames to IP (Internet Protocol) addresses, allowing users to locate a website using its hostname. A records serve as the backbone of the Domain Name System, and no domain’s name server can function without them.

When a DNS query is made for a domain name, it is routed to the appropriate A record to find the IP address that corresponds to the domain. Without a valid A record, a request for the website will fail, leading to a “host not found” error. For this reason, maintaining accurate A records is essential for any well-functioning name server.

DNS CNAME records

DNS CNAME (Canonical Name) records are commonly used to point one domain name to another domain name. A CNAME record is often needed when creating an alias to an existing domain name. For example, if you wanted to create a subdomain to point to another domain, such as www.example.com pointing to example.com, you would use a CNAME record.

CNAME records are also often used for content delivery networks (CDNs). By setting up your DNS to use a CNAME record to a CDN provider, you can speed up the website loading times and improve the overall user experience. In addition, CNAME records provide the flexibility of pointing domain names to different resources, making them a critical component of web infrastructure management.

DNS MX records

DNS MX (Mail Exchanger) records are a type of record used to manage email delivery for a domain. MX records indicate which mail servers handle incoming messages for a domain and the priority at which messages should be received. Most domains have multiple MX records with different priority settings, allowing for redundancy and increased email reliability.

It’s important to note that MX records are entirely separate from website DNS records. So, for example, you can have one mail server (or many) and a completely different server for your website. This separation helps ensure that incoming messages are routed accurately and that website visitor traffic is unaffected by MX record changes.

DNS NS records

DNS NS (Name Server) records are a type of record that provides information about the name servers responsible for managing a particular domain. These records contain a list of name servers authorized to give information on the domain and the corresponding IP addresses.

It is important to note that all name server records must be identical across all parent and child name servers to maintain the integrity of the domain’s data. If any name server records differ, the domain may experience errors or other technical issues. For this reason, it’s essential to keep all NS records up-to-date and properly configured.

DNS TXT records

DNS TXT (Text) records are used to store arbitrary text in a domain’s name server databases. These records are commonly used for several purposes, such as verifying domain ownership, setting up SPF (Sender Policy Framework) records, and other technical operations.

TXT records may contain any text you choose, up to 255 characters in length. This can be used to provide valuable context on a domain name, such as the website’s purpose or contact information for the domain administrator. However, it is important to note that TXT records are also used for authentication and other security measures, such as DKIM (Domain Keys Identified Email).

Finally, TXT can also be used in conjunction with other types of DNS records, such as MX and A records. For example, a TXT record may be used to provide additional information about a mail server or the IP address of a website. While TXT records are considered optional by most name servers, setting up these records can provide valuable insights into the domain.

Conclusion

Now that you have the basics of the seven fundamental DNS records, you can set up and maintain your domain name system. Setting up and managing these records properly will ensure your website runs without technical issues. 

Thanks for reading, and best of luck with your domain setup!

How to minimize the risks of DNS outages?

DNS outages can have serious consequences, from revenue loss to brand reputation damage. Therefore, it is essential to understand what causes them, how to minimize the risks, and how to ensure high availability. So, let’s explore the common causes and how to reduce the risks.

What is a DNS outage?

A DNS outage or DNS downtime appears when the DNS servers fail to respond to incoming DNS requests, leading to the failure of websites or online services. Various factors, including hardware failure, software bugs, misconfiguration, DDoS attacks, and natural disasters, can cause it. DNS outages can have severe consequences, including loss of revenue, damage to brand reputation, and loss of user trust.

Causes of DNS Outages

Here are the main causes:

  • Hardware failure: DNS servers rely on hardware components such as hard drives, memory, and processors, which can fail over time. If one of these components fails, it can cause the entire server to crash.
  • Software bugs: Like any software, DNS servers can have bugs that cause them to crash or stop responding to DNS requests. These bugs can be introduced during the development process or due to changes made to the server configuration.
  • Misconfiguration: DNS servers are complex systems that require careful configuration to work correctly. If the configuration is incorrect, it can cause the server to fail or respond slowly to requests.
  • DDoS attacks: Distributed Denial of Service (DDoS) attacks commonly cause DNS outages. In a DDoS attack, a large number of requests are sent to the DNS server simultaneously, overwhelming it and causing it to crash.
  • Natural disasters: Natural disasters such as hurricanes, earthquakes, and floods can cause physical damage to DNS servers, leading to outages.

How to minimize the risks?

Here are several measures that could help prevent and minimize the risks of DNS outages: 

  • Redundancy: DNS servers should be configured with redundant hardware and software to ensure that if one component fails, another can take its place.
  • Load Balancing: A technique that distributes traffic across multiple servers to prevent overload on any single server. DNS servers should be load balanced in order to avoid DDoS attacks and ensure high availability.
  • Monitoring: DNS servers should be monitored continuously to identify and troubleshoot issues before they become outages. Monitoring tools can provide real-time insights into the performance of the DNS system and alert administrators to any potential issues.
  • Implement DNSSEC: DNS Security Extensions (DNSSEC) is a security protocol that adds an extra layer of protection to the DNS infrastructure. It prevents DNS spoofing attacks and ensures the authenticity of DNS responses. Implementing DNSSEC can help reduce the risk of DNS outages caused by security breaches.
  • Use a CDN: Content Delivery Networks (CDNs) distribute website content across multiple servers and locations, reducing the load on the DNS servers. By using a CDN and GeoDNS, organizations can improve website performance, reduce the risk of DNS outages, and protect against DDoS attacks.
  • Use a Managed DNS Service: Managed DNS services can provide organizations with a more reliable and secure DNS infrastructure. These services offer advanced features such as redundancy, load balancing, and security measures and are often backed by service level agreements (SLAs) that guarantee uptime and performance.

Conclusion

In conclusion, DNS outages can have serious consequences and should be avoided at all costs. To minimize the risks, organizations should take the needed precocious measures. There is no one-size-fits-all solution, yet a combination of actions can help organizations ensure high availability and protect against outages.

How does the Dynamic DNS function: Step by step guide

How exactly can a Dynamic DNS benefit your network? Do you need clarification about how to set one up? Follow this step-by-step guide to learn how to configure a Dynamic DNS and understand how it can save you time and hassle!

Step 1: Dynamic DNS definition

Dynamic DNS is a system that automatically updates a Domain Name System (DNS) to reflect the most current IP address of a connected device. By using it, users and organizations can create easy-to-remember hostnames even when the dynamic IP address of the device changes. This allows users to access resources like websites and other services even with a changing IP address.

Dynamic DNS is an excellent tool for home networking, where users typically have a dynamic IP address assigned by their Internet Service Provider (ISP). Users can configure a hostname that points to the dynamic IP address by utilizing Dynamic DNS. This lets them connect to services like web servers, mail servers, and more through the same hostname, no matter how often their IP address changes.

Step 2: Advantages of implementing it

Dynamic DNS offers numerous advantages to home users and businesses, who can now easily access their network-attached devices and services. For home users, it is usually the only way to access their resources, even when their IP address changes. On the other hand, businesses can use it to manage large numbers of distributed devices without constantly updating their DNS entries.

Another advantage is that it eliminates users needing to update their network configurations manually. Without it, users would have to update the IP address of each device on their network every time it changes. This tedious process is now largely automated, as it providers track and update the IP address every time it changes.

Lastly, Dynamic DNS also offers better security for users. By using unique domains for each device or service, companies can ensure that their servers are not open to the public on a standard port. This allows them to secure their systems to a higher degree, which can help to protect their sensitive data.

Step 3: Dynamic DNS providers – How to choose the best one

Choosing the best Dynamic DNS provider can be difficult, as many different options are available. When selecting a provider, the first thing to consider is the reliability and uptime of the service. Make sure to research the service and look for customer reviews to ensure it has been consistently reliable.

Another essential factor to consider is the features and flexibility offered by the Dynamic DNS provider. Many providers offer advanced features such as authentication, user management, and more. Make sure to check the features offered by each provider and choose one that best suits your needs.

Finally, the Dynamic Domain Name System provider’s pricing model should also be considered. Some providers offer essential services for free, while others might require a monthly fee. Make sure to compare the pricing models of different providers and choose the one that meets your budget requirements.

Conclusion

Using a Dynamic DNS provides significant benefits such as increased security, easier remote access, better reliability, and more flexible configuration. With this step-by-step guide, you should now better understand how it works and how to choose the right provider for your needs. So start setting up your own today and enjoy the benefits it has to offer!

DNS query – What is it?

If you’ve ever wondered how websites, emails, and other online resources can be located online, the answer is DNS queries. A DNS query is a process used to locate and provide information about a particular domain name or IP address and is a vital part of the resolution process. Keep reading to learn more about a DNS query and how it works!

Purpose of DNS query

A DNS query, or a Domain Name System query, is a process used to locate and provide information about a particular domain name or IP address. It is responsible for answering questions such as “which server is hosting a particular website?” The query is sent out to a DNS server, which contains the necessary records and IP addresses associated with the particular domain or address to be located. DNS queries are an essential part of the domain name resolution process, as they allow clients to access websites, emails, and other online resources elsewhere.

The importance of DNS queries

How does it perform?

When a user attempts to access a website or other online resource, the Domain Name System query process begins by sending a query to the Domain Name System server to locate the proper IP address. DNS servers are responsible for keeping records of which server is hosting each domain name, so the Domain Name System query is needed to ask the server which IP address the domain name is associated with. Once the DNS server replies with the correct address, the client’s system can connect to the appropriate server, allowing the user to access the website or resource requested.

Types of DNS query

The two types of DNS queries are recursive and iterative. A recursive query requests a response until the desired information is obtained. A DNS recursive query will send out the query and then wait for the server to reply with the requested records. An iterative query begins with the highest-level DNS server. When the highest level server cannot provide the requested record, the query is sent down to the next level of the DNS server to try and locate the information. This process of sending queries down the DNS server hierarchy continues until the requested information has been returned.

A third type of Domain Name System query is known as a zone transfer. This type of query is used when a DNS server needs to update itself with new records and is sent from one Domain Name System server to another to facilitate the transfer. The results of the zone transfer query contain all the information requested and any additional records added to the new server. This ensures that the DNS servers have the most up-to-date information and can respond quickly to client queries.

Finally, a fourth type of query is referred to as a reverse Domain Name System query. This type of query is used to try and look up an IP address associated with a particular domain name. This type of query can be helpful when troubleshooting network problems or trying to locate the physical location of users or servers. Reverse DNS queries can also help verify if a particular website is authentic or not since it can provide the IP address it is associated with.

Conclusion

In conclusion, DNS queries are essential for website resolution and are a powerful tool for finding domain names and IP addresses. Understanding the different types of DNS queries and how they work can help you increase the speed and efficiency of your web searches, so you can get to the resources you’re looking for quickly and easily.

Recursive DNS server – Main characteristics

Many people still ignore the importance of the Domain Name System (DNS) in our daily lives. The Internet gets the complete spotlight, but it totally relies on the DNS and its different components, the recursive DNS server, for instance. Let’s know the main characteristics of this important DNS component.

Recursive DNS server – Main characteristics

A recursive DNS server has an important job. It is in charge of searching the necessary data to respond to clients’ DNS requests.

When a user (potential client) requests a domain name through her or his browser, a recursive DNS server will look for the associated IP address of that domain. Without this information, the domain can not be loaded for the user. The recursive DNS server won’t stop its search due to one of its main characteristics, “recursion”. In the computing science field, recursion means a process or solution that repeats itself the necessary number of times to reach a specific goal. So the recursive server will look for the IP address until it finds it.

Once the DNS recursive server obtains the IP address, it will deliver it to the user’s browser. Then, and only then, the domain can be loaded by the user.

Another characteristic of a DNS Recursive server is that it has two ways to execute its job.

1. It can look for the DNS information needed to respond to the DNS requests within its cache. There is a chance for information to be kept available there. It will depend on the time-to-live (TTL) value previously set on the DNS record. If this TTL has not expired, the recursive will get the information and respond to the user very fast.

This is possible because the recursive DNS server’s cache can keep information for a specific period of time, not permanently. How long? The defined time on the TTL of DNS records (decided by administrators).

2. If the DNS record has never been inside the cache or the TTL has already expired, the DNS recursive server won’t find the necessary IP address in its cache. Then, the recursive will use a “B” plan. That means it will ask other servers for information. Its search must lead it to the exact, authoritative server that has the DNS information. It takes longer than checking in the cache, but it is an effective way to obtain DNS information.

When we say “longer”, we talk in milliseconds. It is a fast process.

To summarize, DNS recursive servers are essential for the DNS resolution process. Without them, DNS requests can not be answered. Therefore users can not load domains.

There are plenty of Recursive servers working 24/7, worldwide. Every user requesting a domain is a call to a recursive server to start a search.

DNS recursive servers search that is their duty, search for DNS information. They can keep DNS information but only temporarily.

Conclusion

Recursive DNS servers are essential for users to reach your online business! Walking through their main characteristics, you can better understand their value.

​Load balancing explained for beginners

Knowing about load balancing is important for everybody. We all want the same: to have lots of traffic on our website! But managing such workloads is a hard challenge. If we are not prepared, our dream high traffic could suffocate our server and shut down the business. Tragic!

What is load balancing?

Ok, load balancing explained for beginners should be like this.

It is a traffic distribution method that divides the workload among the available resources supporting an application. For example, think about a website receiving millions of user requests from different spots in the world. Now, imagine the work it requires to process all of them quickly to send back the exact image, video, or text requested by every user.

Such a website has many servers to execute this hard but crucial task. The problem is that even the number of servers can be enough to do the job without a load balancer, some servers could be overworking while others could be working at their minimum capacity. As a result, some servers can get sluggish or crash due to the overload. This will cost you on different fronts. Fixing servers, money loss during the downtime, angry customers, and a bad reputation.

Placing a load balancer between the users and your servers will make the process very efficient and prevent problems. It will balance the workload among all the available servers to guarantee all resources are equally used.

Technology types of load balancing

There are two technology types of load balancing, hardware and software.

Hardware-based load balancer.

It is a machine to process and redirect traffic to multiple servers. This load balancer can live in a data center. Virtualization can be used to generate multiple virtual load balancers to work for your business, and all of them can be centrally controlled.

Pros.

  • It is a secure and reliable choice.
  • You have full control and responsibility over it.

Cons.

  • It requires investment in equipment, configuration, and regular maintenance.
  • To use it at its complete capacity is not recommended. If there is a situation of sudden high traffic (traffic spike) and it grows higher than the machine’s capacity, your business performance will be affected. In a bad scenario, users will be hit too by slow service, for instance. If you manage to add another load balancer on time, this doesn’t have to happen.

Software-based load balancer

It is an application that has all the necessary functions to execute the balanced distribution of work. You can either set it up directly on your server or access it through a third-party service.

Pros. 

  • Flexibility. A software load balancer can be scaled up or down easily.
  • It is more compatible with cloud computing environments.
  • It is less expensive than purchasing and setting up a hardware load balancer.

Con. 

  • It doesn’t deliver the top-performance hardware-based load balancer can.
  • If the server on which it works stops working, the load balancer stops too. 

Recommended article: Fundamental details about Anycast DNS

Conclusion

Having high traffic doesn’t have to be a tragedy. Your story can be happy and successful if you use load balancing.

Fundamental details about Anycast DNS

Every time people send a DNS request for loading a website, different processes take place within the DNS machinery for it to happen. One of these processes is routing their requests to be answered. Anycast DNS is a method to do this.

What is Anycast DNS?

The most fundamental detail about Anycast DNS is that it is a traffic routing and addressing method for networks that allows a group of servers to share the same IP address. It aims to have nameservers in different locations around the planet to be closer to the users. This way, when someone sends a request to visit a website, this will be routed to the closest server to his or her location. Having the same IP address, whichever server can answer, but the nearest to the user will be the one that answers.

How does Anycast DNS work?

Anycast DNS works closely with the Border Gateway Protocol or BGP. This last enables the routing of data through the Internet. BGP helps to communicate to routers the networks that can be reached through each of them and the topographical distance that it takes to reach such networks. The range of the IP address shared by the group of servers is advertised in the BGP messages of multiple routers. This way, routers know which of them can offer the shortest route to that IP address.

Then the request is addressed and routed to the closest server. Thanks to Anycast infrastructure and its workmate, the BGP, a user in Vietnam can access a domain with hosting in Brazil in no time.

Why should you use Anycast DNS?

You should use Anycast DNS because it means getting a reliable network to support your online business, and that brings big advantages.

It provides redundancy. A business having only a single DNS server can work, but it’s like putting all your eggs in one basket. If it fails or is under normal maintenance, your nameserver could face downtime, and that will mean fewer sales for you. Besides, you will have very limited room to handle high traffic. If your only nameserver gets stressed, risks of sluggishness or failures increase.

It increases your business resilience. DoS and DDoS attacks are happening daily, and potentially, you, like everybody else, can be targeted by cybercriminals. Having Anycast DNS, attackers could bring down a server or two, but not all the network backing up your business. It will keep you online!

It provides you with the dreamed uptime. With multiple nameservers globally located, downtime won’t be a worry. If a server is unavailable, the Anycast DNS system will automatically reroute requests to the closest and most available instance.

It speeds up response time. It ensures it always will address and route requests to the closest and available nameserver. Waiting time for your clients will always be the shortest possible.

Recommended article: What is the purpose of GeoDNS?

Conclusion

Anycast DNS is a great solution for businesses with big expectations. Let it be in your team and experience the difference from day one!