By Daniel D Dwase

A dedicated domain name server gets its definition from the job it does. This server does maintain a directory of domain names and the internet protocol addresses that match.

This particular translation makes it possible for other systems to locate and then link with ones system and eventually connect to the particular site.

A central registry does collect all domain names registered any where across the entire internet space for the sake of identification and then redistribution at any particular time.

Computer networks in the whole world check in with this Central Registry from time to time so as to get updates about your domain and where to find your domain name or website.

As a matter of fact, computers would not know where to find your website or any other particular website without the services of a dedicated domain name server.

A domain name server system does make it possible to assign domain names to groups of Internet users in a systematic way, independent of their location physically.

This makes the World Wide Web, hyper links as well as Internet contact information to remain consistent even if Internet routing structures are subjected to change.

Domain name server system also distribute the responsibility of assigning domain names as well as mapping the same names to the internet protocol addresses. This is achieved by designating authoritative name servers for each particular domain.

This authoritative name servers are in then assigned their particular domains. This chain can extend to several sub domains and therefore making the distributed domain name server to be fault tolerant and help in avoiding the need for a single register that is central.

A domain name server is kept in place by a distributed database system that uses a client-server model with name servers being nodes.

Each domain or sub domain has one or more authoritative Domain Name Servers which publish information about that particular domain and the name servers of any domains that are subordinate to it.

The top of this hierarchy is served by the root name servers: these are the servers that query when resolving a top-level domain name.

Hardware Requirements

Dedicated domain name servers do run for long periods without interruption. This makes hardware reliability as well as durability of utmost importance.

Although servers can be built from ordinary computer parts, dedicated domain name servers do need to be built from specialized hardware having low failure rates so as to maximize up-time.

The use of high capacity, fast hard drives as well as large computer fans or power supplies which ensure the servers do continue to function incase of a power failure should not be compromised at all.

Setting up hardware redundancy is highly advisable because this will ensure the system does continue to run even if one of the hardware parts happens to fail.

Installing more than one instance of hardware for example power supplies as well as hard disks will guarantee system high up-time. This is quite essential in the case of dedicated domain name servers.

It is very advisable to use memory devices that detect and correct errors. This is because they will help in reducing data corruption or system failures.

Software Requirements

Dedicated domain name servers do have an operating system, just like any other server, on which to run different applications. The two most popular operating systems providers are Linux and Microsoft.

The use of any of these operating systems will depend on how conversant the server administrator is with either of them.

Apart from the operating system, there exist other application softwares which are vital for the full control of a dedicated domain name server.

These application softwares include antivirus softwares, control panel software etc; this depends on the needs of each person or organization.

Storage

After the assembly and setup of the server, it is of importance for you to take into consideration the storage facility for this server.

This is because domain name servers do store very important information and therefore they need to be kept in environments that are highly secure. It is much recommended to keep the servers under lock and key.

This ensures that only authorized and experienced personnel do gain access to the machine. Simple interference from an inexperienced person could just lead to serious damage which could even result in the loss of very important information that has cost lots of money to put together.

Apart from the tight security, the dedicated domain name server is supposed to be mounted in highly ventilated atmosphere. This serves to avoid dampness.

It is also a good practice to get a location with High Voltage Alternating Current. This saves you the inconvenience which may be caused by frequent power outages as well as surges.

Advantages and Disadvantages

The greatest gain that you can derive from the use of dedicated domain name servers is the fact that they do save smaller companies that would wish to register domain names the opportunity to carry out this practice without having to invest in very expensive equipment and personnel in order to get a domain name registered.

This also does help them to get an online presence without having to bother about the daily running and maintenance of this server.

Though the use of dedicated domain name servers can prove to be very helpful as they give companies the chance to register domain names and host them at a quite reasonable cost and with limited involvement in the daily operations of the server, there can be some limitations that are involved in the process.

Take for instance the fact that the domain registered often does give limitations to the number of mail addresses that are available to each domain that is registered.

There are also inconveniences in case you need to register a mail address urgently only to realize you cannot access the system administrator as quickly as you may wish.

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