What are NameServers?

NameServers play a crucial role in the functioning of the internet and website hosting. They serve as the address book of the internet, translating domain names into their corresponding IP addresses, allowing users to access websites using easy-to-remember domain names.

When you register a domain name, it needs to be associated with a NameServer. A NameServer is a specialized server that holds the information about the domain name's IP address and other related records.

How do NameServers work?

When a user enters a domain name in a web browser, the browser sends a request to the associated NameServer to retrieve the IP address of the website. The NameServer then looks up its records to find the IP address linked to that domain name and returns it to the user's browser. This allows the browser to establish a connection with the correct server hosting the website.

Typically, a domain name is associated with two or more NameServers for redundancy and reliability. If one NameServer is inaccessible or experiencing issues, the backup NameServers can step in and provide the necessary information.

Changing NameServers

If you need to change your website's hosting provider or DNS settings, you may need to update your NameServer information. This process involves specifying the new NameServer addresses provided by your new hosting provider or DNS management service.

It's important to note that when you change NameServers, it can take some time for the changes to propagate across the internet. This period, known as DNS propagation, can vary and typically takes anywhere from a few minutes to 24-48 hours. During this time, some users may still see the old website while others see the updated version.