A Guide To Nameservers & How They Work

Nameservers are a crucial part of the Domain Name System (DNS), acting as the link between domain names and the actual servers where websites are hosted. Without nameservers, users would have to remember long and complex IP addresses instead of simple domain names like example.com.

In this article, we will explore what nameservers are, how they work, and why they are essential for websites and domain management.

What Are Nameservers?

A nameserver is a specialized server that helps translate domain names into IP addresses. When you type a domain like example.com into your browser, nameservers help direct your request to the correct web server where the website is hosted.

Each domain must have at least two nameservers assigned to it. These are typically provided by:

• Domain registrars (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap)
• Web hosting providers (e.g., Bluehost, SiteGround)
• Custom DNS services (e.g., Cloudflare, Google Public DNS)

How Do Nameservers Work?

Nameservers function within the Domain Name System (DNS), which operates like an internet phonebook. Here’s how the process works step by step:

1. User Enters a Domain Name
   • When a user types example.com into a web browser, the request is sent to a DNS resolver (usually provided by the user’s ISP or public DNS services like Google DNS or Cloudflare DNS).
2. Querying the Root DNS Servers
   • The resolver first contacts the root DNS servers, which then direct the request to the appropriate Top-Level Domain (TLD) nameservers (e.g., .com, .net, .org).
3. Finding the Authoritative Nameserver
   • The TLD nameserver (for .com domains, for example) then points the request to the authoritative nameserver assigned to example.com.
4. Retrieving the IP Address
   • The authoritative nameserver provides the IP address associated with example.com, and the user’s browser connects to the correct web server to load the website.

Example of Nameservers

When you register a domain, it will typically be assigned a pair of nameservers. For example:

ns1.examplehosting.com  
ns2.examplehosting.com  

If your website is hosted on GoDaddy, your nameservers might look like this:

ns1.godaddy.com  
ns2.godaddy.com  

If you use Cloudflare’s DNS, your nameservers might be:

ara.ns.cloudflare.com  
matt.ns.cloudflare.com  

Why Are Nameservers Important?

1. Directing Traffic to the Right Server

Nameservers ensure that when someone enters your domain name, they reach the correct website hosted on the corresponding server.

2. Enabling Website and Email Functionality

Proper nameserver configuration is necessary for websites to function and for email services linked to a domain to work correctly.

3. Allowing DNS Management and Customization

Users can change nameservers to point their domain to different hosting providers, content delivery networks (CDNs), or third-party DNS management services.

How to Change Nameservers

If you want to change your domain’s hosting provider or use a third-party DNS service, you need to update your nameservers. Here’s how:

1. Log in to your domain registrar’s control panel (e.g., GoDaddy, Namecheap).
2. Find the DNS or Nameserver settings for your domain.
3. Enter the new nameservers provided by your hosting or DNS provider.
4. Save the changes and wait for DNS propagation (which can take a few hours to 48 hours).

Conclusion

Nameservers play a critical role in connecting domain names to web servers, ensuring websites are accessible worldwide. Whether you’re managing a personal blog, an e-commerce site, or an enterprise application, understanding nameservers helps you efficiently control your domain’s DNS settings.