Category: Name Servers

In the architecture of the internet, the Domain Name System does much more than simply resolve human-readable domain names into machine-usable IP addresses. It also plays a significant role in distributing network traffic efficiently, particularly through the concept of DNS-based load balancing. While traditional load balancing often occurs at the application or network level using…

TSIG, or Transaction Signature, is a protocol extension to the Domain Name System that provides a secure mechanism for authenticating communications between DNS servers, particularly during operations such as zone transfers and dynamic updates. As DNS was originally designed without built-in security mechanisms, all transactions—whether they involve updating a record or transferring an entire zone—are…

Branded hostnames for custom name servers are an essential aspect of creating a professional and cohesive online identity, especially for businesses that manage their own DNS infrastructure or resell hosting and domain services. Instead of relying on the generic name server hostnames provided by registrars or hosting companies—such as ns1.genericdnsprovider.com and ns2.genericdnsprovider.com—organizations can configure custom,…

DNS rebinding is a type of attack that leverages vulnerabilities in the interaction between DNS resolution and web browsers to bypass the same-origin policy and access private or internal network resources from malicious websites. This exploit works by tricking a victim’s browser into sending requests to internal IP addresses or services as though they were…

DNS record validation is a vital function that ensures the reliability, integrity, and trustworthiness of the information served by name servers across the internet. Although the Domain Name System was originally designed to be fast and distributed rather than inherently secure, modern name servers now play a critical role in validating DNS records both when…

SRV records, or Service records, are a specialized type of DNS resource record that specify information about available services for a domain, particularly the hostname and port number where those services can be reached. Unlike more common DNS records such as A or MX, which simply map a domain to an IP address or a…

A hidden primary name server, sometimes referred to as a hidden master, is a DNS configuration pattern where the primary authoritative server for a DNS zone is not listed in the public NS (Name Server) records and does not directly respond to public DNS queries. Instead, one or more secondary name servers, which are publicly…

Setting up name servers to support complex, multi-layered DNS hierarchies requires careful architectural planning, strict adherence to DNS delegation principles, and a nuanced understanding of zone segmentation, administrative boundaries, and inter-zone communication. In large organizations, multinational enterprises, government networks, or multi-tenant service providers, DNS does not consist of a single flat namespace but rather a…

The management model of name servers within an organization or across a distributed service ecosystem can significantly influence the operational stability, scalability, and security of DNS infrastructure. Two primary paradigms exist in this context: centralized and decentralized management of name servers. Each approach presents a distinct set of advantages, trade-offs, and operational implications depending on…

Access Control Lists, or ACLs, are fundamental components in the security and operational control of authoritative name servers. These lists define precise rules about which IP addresses or networks are permitted or denied access to specific server functions, such as zone transfers, recursion, dynamic updates, or even basic query resolution. In the context of authoritative…