When you type a website’s URL into your browser’s address bar, a remarkable, milliseconds-long process occurs behind the scenes. The Domain Name System (DNS) is primarily responsible for this process, translating human-friendly domain names into machine-readable IP addresses.
One component lies at the heart of the translation process, providing it with precision and speed: the authoritative DNS server. Other DNS solutions, such as recursive servers, fetch responses on your behalf, but authoritative DNS servers represent the final answer.
On that note, below is a closer look at what authoritative DNS servers are and how they work. You’ll also learn how No-IP’s global network helps ensure your DNS records are always fast, accessible, and protected.
What Is an Authoritative DNS Server?
This type of server is well named. The authoritative DNS server acts as the “authority” for DNS records tied to your domain. When someone tries to visit your website, their DNS resolver queries the authoritative DNS server to retrieve your domain’s IP address. In other words, the server is “authoritative” because it has the “right answer.” It knows what domain you are trying to reach.
Unlike recursive DNS servers, which search for answers from other sources, authoritative DNS servers own the answer. They respond with the final, verified information for a domain’s address (A), canonical name (CNAME), mail exchanger (MX), and text (TXT) records, among others.
How Authoritative DNS Servers Work
Navigating to any website is a process that starts with a DNS query and ends when the correct IP address is delivered to your browser. The entire series of events requires authoritative DNS servers.
Here’s a quick look at how it works:
1. The User Enters a URL Into a Browser
Suppose that someone types www.example.com into their smartphone’s web browser. Their local resolver doesn’t know the answer to that domain, so the system begins translating the human-readable text into an IP address that the internet can use.
2. The Recursive DNS Server Checks Its Cache
The browser contacts a recursive DNS server, which is usually operated by the user’s internet service provider or a public DNS provider. First, the server checks if it has a recent answer stored in its cache. If it does know the answer to your query, it can return results instantly. If not, the process continues to the next step.
3. The Recursive Server Queries the Root DNS Servers
If no cached record exists, the recursive server contacts the root DNS servers. These manage information for all top-level domains (TLDs).
4. The Root Servers Direct your Query to TLD Servers
The root servers point your query to the appropriate TLD server. If you’re visiting a .org website, it will refer to the .org TLD server. If you’re visiting a .com website, you’ll get the .com TLD server, and so on.
5. The TLD Servers Refer to the Authoritative DNS Server
The TLD server refers to the authoritative DNS server responsible for the specific domain name the user wants to visit.
6. The Authoritative DNS Server Returns the IP Address
The authoritative Domain Name System server holds the actual DNS records for the site the user wants to visit. It replies to the TLD server with the correct IP address. For example, if you want to visit noip.com, it provides the IP address “158.247.7.200.”
7. The Recursive Server Delivers the Answer to the Browser
Finally, with that definitive answer, the recursive server forwards the IP address to the user’s browser, ensuring the user is able to reach the right site.
While it may sound like a lot of steps just to get to a website, the process moves quickly. In the blink of an eye, authoritative servers help carry you to your destination.
Types of Authoritative DNS Servers
A primary authoritative DNS server is where you manage your domain’s DNS records and make updates. It holds the master copy of your read-write DNS zone file. A secondary authoritative DNS server acts as a backup in case the primary server is unavailable. You can use it to provide redundancy and keep your main server from getting overloaded with requests.
A recursive DNS, true to its name, uses a recursive resolver to translate a domain name into an IP address on behalf of the client (i.e., your phone or computer). Your device doesn’t have to query multiple DNS servers; the recursive resolver does that for it. On the other hand, the authoritative DNS server is the source of truth. It’s where the recursive DNS goes for definite answers. You can learn more about the nuances between authoritative DNS servers and recursive DNS servers in our head-to-head authoritative vs. recursive server comparison guide.
Why Would I Use an Authoritative DNS Server?
There are multiple benefits to partnering with a managed DNS provider like No-IP for authoritative DNS servers.
For starters, you can achieve faster domain resolution, seeing as the authoritative DNS servers respond with DNS records. Completing queries faster means users can quickly reach their desired domain.
By using an authoritative DNS server through a managed DNS provider, you also gain better control of your DNS records. And you can exercise that control to ensure your domain settings, redirection paths, and email configurations are correct and protected.
Deploying multiple authoritative DNS servers (primary and secondary) creates redundancy to prevent downtime and distribute traffic loads. Unlocking these benefits is easier than ever, thanks to No-IP’s managed and dynamic DNS solutions.
Why Choose No-IP for Authoritative DNS Services?
No-IP’s Managed DNS Server is built on one of the most robust and resilient infrastructures currently available. Our platform gives you global reach with hundreds of points of presence. It offers fast resolution times, as well, helping your site load faster and more reliably than competitors.
No-IP’s Managed DNS server is perfect for businesses and developers who need total control and maximum uptime. Say you need your DNS to adapt to changing IP addresses; pair it with Dynamic DNS to maintain accessibility from anywhere. When milliseconds matter and reliability can’t be compromised, your authoritative DNS server setup becomes mission-critical. That’s why you need No-IP in your corner. Explore our managed DNS and DDNS solutions today.