URLS, DNS & Address resolution

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When a user types a into their web browser, the process of accessing a website begins. The URL, or Uniform Resource Locator, is a string of characters that serves as the web address for a particular webpage. It consists of several components, including the protocol (such as HTTP or HTTPS), the name, and optionally, specific paths or parameters.

The , or Domain Name System, plays a crucial role in this process. It is responsible for translating human-readable domain names into machine-readable es. This process is known as . For example, when a user enters a domain name like "example.com" into their browser, the DNS resolves it to the corresponding IP address, such as "192.0.2.1".

Domains are organized in a hierarchical structure. At the top of this is the , which contains the records for all top-level domains (TLDs) like ".com," ".org," or ".net." Below the TLDs are the domain names themselves, which can be further subdivided into s. A subdomain is a prefix to the main domain, such as "blog.example.com" or "shop.example.com." Each subdomain can have its own set of records, called Resource Records, specifying details like IP addresses or mail servers.

The domain name also includes a name]], which identifies a specific host within a domain. A host can refer to a web server, email server, or any other networked device accessible through a network. For instance, in the URL "https://www.example.com," the hostname is "www."

s are systems responsible for querying and retrieving DNS information. When a user enters a URL into their browser, the resolver sends a request to the DNS to obtain the IP address associated with the domain name. Once the resolver receives the response, the browser can establish a connection with the specific web server.

is a process that ensures special characters in a URL are properly represented for transmission over the internet. Special characters, such as spaces or symbols, are encoded using specific characters or sequences to prevent interpretation issues.

The refers to the immediate superior domain in the hierarchical structure of a fully qualified domain name (FQDN). For example, in "blog.example.com," the parent domain is "example.com." The is an organization where users can register and manage their domain names, ensuring uniqueness and ownership.

Keywords

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