What is a name server?

A name server is a directory of domain names attached to IP addresses. Think of it like a phone book - you look up the name and the number to dial is there. Name servers are the means through which the DNS can function:

• You type www.example.com into your web browser.
• Your computer uses the DNS to locate and retrieve the name servers that contain www.example.com
• The DNS requests these name servers to provide the IP Address attached to www.example.com - this is the part that’s like a phone book: the name server looks in its database to find the number that’s under that name.
• The name server responds by providing your computer with the IP address.

At this point, your computer will contact a web server, which in turn will send your browser the requested page.