2009
01.26

DNS and Download Speeds…

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In response to another paper staff, Mike Rose, yes, DNS (Domain Name Service) choice may in fact make a difference in how fast your downloads may be. The case: Akamai.

First off, a rundown on DNS, aka Domain Name Service. The best way to describe the process, and the role of DNS servers, is a numerical rundown:

  1. Your type in a web address, which must be converted into an IP address (like 138.67.1.1) for your computer to connect to the website you want.
  2. Your computer sends out to a DNS server to get the IP address of the site you want, querying “up the ladder” if needed (if it doesn’t have the IP stored in its records).
  3. The DNS server sends the IP address of the server you want to connect to.
  4. Your browser contacts the server and goes along its merry browsing way.
This is somewhat of a simplification, however that’s the way DNS servers work.