The DHCP server assists network administrators and makes their jobs easier!

Networks have become highly complicated. The number of devices requesting connection has skyrocketed. As a result, managing and maintaining network resources is extremely difficult.

What essentially is a DHCP server?

Automatic distribution and assignment of IP addresses, default gateways, and other network characteristics to client devices are performed by a DHCP server, a type of network server. It uses the widely used Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol or DHCP to reply to client broadcast requests.

Since the early 1990s, DHCP servers have made networking easier by enabling IT administrators to allocate IP addresses automatically. As a result, it’s no longer necessary to manually assign static IP addresses to network devices. And as the Internet switches from IPv4 to IPv6, DHCP servers continue to support this procedure.

Why do I need to implement a DHCP server?

  • IP address management, provision, monitoring, and renewal will all be dynamic, automated processes. After you configure your preferences on the DHCP server, the operation will continue without the need for ongoing oversight.
  • Automation reduces mistakes. To connect to the network and function properly, a specific IP address is required for each device (computer, smartphone, etc.). Different devices cannot use the same IP address simultaneously. The link will break down. Checking and renewing leases are required. The need to modify endpoints, etc. Even the most organized administrators may become too overwhelmed to do this manually. They are quickly surpassed by high demand, which might lead to mistakes. DHCP is a reliable way to get around this.
  • Configuration, modification, and upgrading are quite straightforward. Everything will function properly, thanks to the propagation and saving of your settings.

Why not only have and use a router?

If your network is small enough, you can let routers or other networking hardware handle the Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol. There are some factors you must take into account, though.

Most importantly, managing a single DHCP server is more straightforward than a group of independent servers spread over a network. You have more flexibility and better network visibility as a result.

Furthermore, a DHCP server is a safer choice, provided its architecture guarantees high availability. If a node fails, the other can take over right away with little to no impact on the clients.

Conclusion

DHCP is a fundamental technology that underpins this digital era. It appoints the IP address, subnet mask details, default gateway, and so on to the IP host, enabling them to relay data between different destinations on the internet. Although it was initially designed in 1993, it is still a crucial protocol that is regularly updated for IPv4, IPv6, and the next generations of Internet Protocols.

Do you want to know why an authoritative DNS server is essential? Great. You are in the right place. Why? Because in this article today, we will explore exactly that and other exciting things about it.

Explanation of authoritative DNS server 

A DNS server that both maintains the original Resource Records and the Zone for the DNS Namespace domain is known as an authoritative DNS server. The information for name resolution of the DNS Namespace domain that it stores originated from reliable DNS servers. The last informational source for name resolution for the DNS zones they hold is an authoritative DNS server.

There are two essential duties for an authoritative DNS server. One is to store a list of domain names and their associated IP addresses (TLD name servers). The second is maintaining all zone DNS records and responding to recursive server queries using the appropriate DNS record (A, MX, TXT, etc.). Recursive servers must deliver the needed information to connect to the computer and browser, load the requested webpage, and complete the transaction.

Several variables can somewhat alter this process, but generally, it proceeds as described each time a client requests your website. And it needs to happen as soon as possible to prevent them from growing impatient and walking away.

How do I check the authoritative DNS servers?

You can use the nslookup command, available on Windows, macOS, and Linux, to check authoritative DNS servers.

We must perform a DNS lookup to find all nameservers for the domain.

Launch the Command Prompt in Windows or the Terminal in macOS or Linux. Next, run: nslookup -type=ns example.com

The nameservers and their IP addresses (IPv4 or IPv6) will be listed. Furthermore, you can replace example.com with the domain name of your choice.

You can also examine each nameserver individually to ensure they respond correctly and on time.

How do I set it up?

  1. First, register a domain with your domain name registry.
  2. Each domain name registrar lets you set up primary and secondary name servers (master and slave servers).

In addition, you need first to subscribe to DNS hosting plan and add their name servers to your domain name’s registrar’s list of authoritative name servers before you can utilize the dynamic DNS service or DNS hosting services. Then, and only then, the server responds to queries for your domain name.

Conclusion

Let’s review. In simple words, authoritative DNS servers are responsible for the intended website‘s IP “mapping.” The authoritative server response to the recursive server contains crucial information about each website, such as IP addresses and other DNS records. DNS hosting providers often oversee reliable servers.