Domain Name System - ?

DNS is the acronym for Domain Name Server, not Domain Name System LOL. You must know that internet is based on numerical address called IP (Internet Protocol). For example now my current IP is 87.7.153.170 but it's of dynamical type because tomorrow, when I will go again on internet, my ISP will assign me a different IP. Instead www servers (for ex www.mylot.com is managed from a server who host the site, or more servers) have a fixed IP. When you type www.mylot.com your computer don't know what is the correct IP to contact to receive pages and where to look. So it asks to a DNS server to translate www.mylot.com in an IP and then it looks on that IP (behind that IP there is a machine, a server, connected to internet). For example, mylot's IP is 69.20.112.85 and I will show you the way to find it :-). It's easy! You must open a DOS box and type ping www.mylot.com in this way: C:\Documents and Settings\usernameping www.mylot.com Esecuzione di Ping mylot.com [69.20.112.85] con 32 byte di dati: Risposta da 69.20.112.85: byte=32 durata=248ms TTL=46 Risposta da 69.20.112.85: byte=32 durata=260ms TTL=46 Risposta da 69.20.112.85: byte=32 durata=260ms TTL=46 Risposta da 69.20.112.85: byte=32 durata=270ms TTL=46 Statistiche Ping per 69.20.112.85: Pacchetti: Trasmessi = 4, Ricevuti = 4, Persi = 0 (0% persi), Tempo approssimativo percorsi andata/ritorno in millisecondi: Minimo = 248ms, Massimo = 270ms, Medio = 259ms My packet needs about 250ms to reach USA mylot server from Italy! I hope this can clear many doubts on DNS servers and on Internet structure. A last tought, I want to suggest you all: www.opendns.com If you have problem reaching some site, go on that site and you will find powerful big DNS Server, very reliable! Here http://www.opendns.com/start/windows_xp.php there is the explanation for XP on how you can begin using them. I am italian and I am using them, even if they are located in Italy. They are really fast and reliable, more than DNS of my internet provider!