Secondary DNS is an invaluable solution for any website or application that requires a reliable, secure connection. This critical backup service ensures that your site remains accessible even in the event of a primary DNS outage, minimizing any disruption in the user experience. Learn more about how Secondary DNS works and the benefits it can bring to your business.
Introducing to DNS (Domain Name System)
The Domain Name System (DNS) is the way the internet infrastructure organizes and maintains information about websites, applications, and other services available on the web. DNS is essential for connecting users to web servers when they enter a domain name in the browser. Without DNS, web users would have to memorize IP addresses of websites to access them. DNS allows for the easy retrieval of IP addresses and takes the guesswork out of surfacing web content. It is the underlying technology that makes it easy for users to click, enter a domain name, and access the content they are seeking.
Who Needs Secondary DNS Servers?
Definition and purpose of Secondary DNS
Secondary DNS or Backup DNS is a type of DNS that acts as a failsafe for organizations and websites. Secondary DNS acts as a backup for the primary DNS server in case of an outage or any other form of failure. In case the primary DNS goes down due to any issue, it immediately switches to the secondary DNS, allowing the websites and applications to continue their functioning and, most importantly, retain the user experience. It is especially beneficial for organizations that have multiple applications running and require high reliability from their DNS servers.
Secondary DNS is designed to work with the primary DNS server, mirroring the records that are stored on the primary DNS from the authoritative name servers of the domain. This means that when a user wants to access a domain, the request goes through the primary DNS server, and if any issue arises, the request is redirected to the secondary DNS server. The secondary DNS will provide the requested information to the user without interruption or downtime.
Benefits of implementing it
- Secondary DNS protects businesses from outages and keeps them up and running. It ensures that if the primary DNS goes down due to any issue, the business’s website and applications will still be accessible.
- It adds an extra layer of protection and improves the security of the system. It helps prevent malicious activities like DDoS attacks, DNS hijacking, and DNS cache poisoning, which can potentially cause the system to crash.
- By utilizing Backup DNS, businesses can get increased scalability and availability. It ensures that websites and applications are able to handle high traffic without any performance issues.
- Secondary Domain Name System also helps improve the speed and performance of websites and applications. It reduces the latency in loading and reduces the chances of errors due to a lack of response time.
- Backup DNS also enables businesses to easily set up complex configurations that involve different record types, such as SRV, MX, and CNAME. This makes the process of setting up a DNS configuration much simpler and less time-consuming.
Primary DNS vs Secondary DNS – Difference
Primary DNS and Secondary DNS are two different ways of implementing DNS available for organizations. The primary DNS works directly with the authoritative name servers to store the record information of the domain. This is the main DNS server which resolves all the user requests. On the other hand, the Backup DNS server is set up to mirror the record data of the primary DNS. It is intended to act as a failsafe in case of an outage or any other form of failure.
The primary difference between the two DNS configurations is the way in which they operate. While the Primary DNS is responsible for resolving all user requests, the Secondary DNS works in the background as a backup. In case of an outage, the Secondary DNS server will automatically switch over so that the websites and applications continue to stay up and running. Additionally, Secondary DNS also provides added security which allows organizations to ward off malicious activities like DDoS attacks.
Recommended article: Upgrading to Premium DNS: An Owner’s Guide
Conclusion
The Secondary DNS system is an invaluable solution for any website or application requiring a secure, reliable connection. This backup service guarantees that your site remains accessible during a primary DNS outage, reducing any disruption in the user experience. Gain a better understanding of how this system works and the benefits it can bring to your business. Implementing it is a vital step for any organization aiming to attain the highest levels of reliability and security from their website.