What Is Forward DNS?

Forward DNS is like using a phone book to determine the number of someones you want to call. It's easy to get what you need, but it could be more efficient. Reverse DNS is more like asking Siri for directions: you know where you're going, and she tells you how to get there. It's much more time-consuming but also more accurate and reliable. Forward DNS works by receiving a request from an end client and converting the hostname into an IP address. This IP address is then sent to the DNS server and resolved into a hostname, which is returned to the client. This process happens every time you enter a website address into your browser, make a call on your mobile phone or send an email.; forward DNS also allows computers to be rerouted to a new IP address if their original address has changed. When you type in a web address or an email address, your computer doesn't just send that text to the server—your local DNS server processes it. The DNS server looks up the domain name and returns its IP address, which allows communication between your computer and the server to continue. Forward DNS is the endpoint resolution process when connecting to a network. This resolution method can be compared to reading a phone book when attempting to call from a landline. Each endpoint device must have its unique address programmed into the receiving device when connecting to a network. This process of programming the receiving device with the address of the transmitting endpoint is called endpoint resolution. You use their email address or web page URL when you want to communicate with someone. You type in the text that identifies them, and the DNS server checks its records to see if it can find the numerical IP address associated with that text. If not, it forwards your request to another server. Eventually, when all the servers have checked their records and cannot find a match for your request, they will return your information so that communication can occur.