What is DNS? A No-Nonsense Guide to Domain Name Systems
Think of DNS (Domain Name System) as the internet’s phone book – except it’s much smarter and doesn’t collect dust in your drawer!
The Simple Explanation
When you type wesh.uk into your web browser, DNS is the helpful system that translates this human-friendly website address into the computer-friendly numbers (IP address) that servers understand. It’s like having a super-efficient personal assistant who instantly knows where to find everything you need online.
Why Should You Care About DNS?
As a business owner, DNS affects you more than you might think:
- It’s crucial for your website being accessible to customers
- It controls how your business email works
- It can impact your website’s loading speed (and we know nobody likes a slow website!)
What Does DNS Actually Do?
Every website, including yours, has two addresses:
- A domain name (like yourcompany.com) that humans use.
- An IP address (like 192.168.1.1) that computers understand.
DNS is the clever system that connects these two, ensuring customers can find your website by simply typing in your web address.
How DNS Actually Works
Let’s break it down into simple steps:
- You Type a Web Address: You enter www.yourcompany.com in your browser
- The DNS Search Begins: Your computer asks a DNS server, “Where can I find this website?”
- The DNS Response: The DNS server replies with the correct IP address
- The Connection: Your browser connects to that IP address, and voilà – your website appears!
How DNS Works: The Simple Version
Imagine making a phone call in 1970’s when traditional manual telephone exchanges still existed…
- You (your web browser) pick up the phone and ask the operator to speak to a business (Website).
- The exchange operator (DNS server) looks for that business number on their switchboard.
- They plug in a cable between your number and the business name you’re asking for.
- Your call (website) gets connected, and the business answers the phone.
In this example, the telephone operator was acting as the DNS server.
Why It Matters for Your Business Website
Your business relies on this more than you might realize:
- It keeps your website accessible 24/7.
- It ensures your business emails reach their destination.
- It affects your website’s loading speed (ours delivers response times averaging 10ms!).
- It’s crucial for your online security.
Common Issues (And Why They Happen)
- Website Not Found: Often happens when records aren’t set up correctly.
- Email Problems: Usually occurs when email records need updating.
- Slow Loading: Could be due to inefficient settings.
- Emails Bouncing – Missing Verification Records.
The WESH UK Difference
We maintain a clustered DNS setup at WESH UK with full redundancy, ensuring your website and email services remain reliable and fast. Our UK-based servers deliver response times under 100ms – faster than you can say “DNS”!
Need Help?
If DNS feels like a foreign language, don’t worry – you’re not alone! Our support team is here to help seven days a week, from 8 AM to midnight. Whether you need assistance with DNS settings or have questions about your domain, we’re just a phone call away at 0800 5 999 404.
Remember: You don’t need to be a tech expert to have a successful online presence. That’s what we’re here for!
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