Steps on how typing a web address finds its way to the web server, via DNS

[G. Roderick Singleton]

On Fri, 2003-10-31 at 16:37, Dominick DiMantova wrote:
> On 31 Oct 2003, G. Roderick Singleton wrote:
> 
> > On Fri, 2003-10-31 at 14:39, Dominick DiMantova wrote:
> > > On 31 Oct 2003, G. Roderick Singleton wrote:
> > > 
> > > > On Fri, 2003-10-31 at 13:50, Dominick DiMantova wrote:
> > > > > On 30 Oct 2003, G. Roderick Singleton wrote:
> > > > > 
> > > > > > On Wed, 2003-10-29 at 16:27, Dominick DiMantova wrote:
> > > > > > > Hello Gurus:
> > > > > > > 
> > > > > > > I want to know the step-by-step procedure of how a request to a web
> > > > > > > site gets to the server from the client. Specifically, how does this
> > > > > > > work? For example, when I type 'abc.xyz.com' in the address bar, what
> > > > > > > are the steps to its destination? I know there are .com, .org, .gov,
> > > > > > > .net, etc. root servers. So, when I hit enter, first, is the address
> > > > > > > looked at from .com, first, then .xyz.com, then finally abc.xyz.com?
> > > > > > > I'd appreciate a clear explanation from a DNS expert. Thank you.
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > Start with
> > > > > > http://www.acmebw.com/askmrdns/archive.php?category=81&question=81
> > > > > > and go from there. You might find the DNS and Bind fro ORA useful too.
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > -- 
> > > > > > Gerry Roderick Singleton <gerry at pathtech.org>
> > > > > > 416-452-4583
> > > > > > 
> > > > > > 
> > > > > 
> > > > > I appreciate your feedback. I was hoping, if you have DNS expertise, that
> > > > > you could possibly explain my question to me. 
> > > > 
> > > > What is in the references I gave that is confusing? The book alone takes
> > > > about 8 pages to explain resolution in small typeface. I really do
> > > > recommend the book. Perhaps your library has a copy from which you will
> > > > be able to get the answer and more.
> > > Not confusing: I was just hoping you could take the time to explain it to
> > > me, but I'll have a "looksie" at the book.
> > > 
> > >  
> > > > Gerry Roderick Singleton <gerry at pathtech.org>
> > > > 416-452-4583
> > > -> 
> > > > 
> > 
> > Excellent! I think you'll be doing yourself a favour by doing so and you
> > will learn a lot.
> > 
> > -- 
> > Gerry Roderick Singleton <gerry at pathtech.org>
> > 416-452-4583
> > 
> hehehehe, you're not being sarcastic, are you? I'm just an intermediate
> UNIX student, trainig for Solaris 9 certification (part 2 is a killer, I
> hear), and I'm just learning about DNS.

Nope. But I really believe that people learn more when they do it
themselves. One of my mentors gevem this advice when playing with
network stuff, "Think like a packet." Dns is one of those things. Now
think like a packet and go :-)

THe other favour you can do yourself is to use the WWW to get some
background. I did a  quick Google search for "how dns works" and got
back 666,000 hits of which the first 50 should be just what you want.


-- 
Gerry Roderick Singleton <gerry at pathtech.org>
416-452-4583