Mapping Domain Names to Addresses

Name-to-address translation is performed by a program called a Name server.The client program is called a Name resolver.A Name resolver may need to contact several Name servers to translate a name to an address.

The Domain Name System (DNS) servers are organized in a somewhat hierarchical fashion.A single server often holds names for a single network, which is connected to a root DNS server – usually maintained by an ISP.

Domain Name Resolution

The domain name system can be used by contacting the name servers one at a time, or by asking the domain name system to do the complete name translation. The client makes a query containing the name, the type of answer required, and a code specifying whether the domain name system should do the entire name translation, or simply return the address of the next DNS server if the server receiving the query cannot resolve the name.

When a DNS server receives a query, it checks to see if the name is in its sub domain. If it is, the server translates the name and appends the answer to the query, and sends it back to the client. If the DNS server cannot translate the name, it determines what type of name resolution the client requested.A complete translation is called recursive resolution and requires the server to contact other DNS servers until the name is resolved. Iterative resolution specifies that if the DNS server cannot supply an answer, it returns the address of the next DNS server the client should contact.

Each client must be able to contact at least one DNS server, and each DNS server must be able to contact at least one root server.

The address of the machine that supplies domain name service is often supplied by a DHCP or BOOTP server, or can be entered manually and configured into the operating system at startup.

Configuring DNS Relay Information

To configure the DNS function on the Switch, open the Configuration folder and click the DNS Relay folder. In this folder, click the DNS Relay Information link to open the following window.

 

 

Figure 6- 124. DNS Global Settings window

The following fields can be set:

 

 

 

Parameter

Description

 

 

DNS Relay Status

This field can be toggled between Disabled and Enabled using the pull-down menu, and is used to enable or

 

Primary Name Server

disable the DNS Relay service on the Switch.

 

Allows the entry of the IP address of a primary domain name server (DNS).

 

Secondary Name Server

Allows the entry of the IP address of a secondary domain name server (DNS).

 

DNSR Cache Status

This can be toggled between Disabled and Enabled.This determines if a DNS cache will be enabled on the

 

DNS Static Table Status

Switch.

 

This field can be toggled using the pull-down menu between Disabled and Enabled.This determines if the static

 

 

DNS table will be used or not.

 

DNS Relay Static Settings

To view the DNS Relay Static Settings, open the DNS Relay folder in the Configuration folder and click the DNS Relay Static Settings link, which will open the following window.

Allied Telesyn AT-9724TS High-Density Layer 3 Stackable Gigabit Ethernet Switch

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Allied Telesis AT-9724TS Mapping Domain Names to Addresses, Domain Name Resolution, Configuring DNS Relay Information