what is a nameserver lookup?

What is a nameserver lookup?

Nameserver lookup is an important process required for website authentication and connectivity. It helps computers locate website addresses so that user machines can access it. Here, nameserver lookup basically refers to a Domain Name System (DNS) lookup, which can be used to discover the Internet Protocol (IP) address of a particular domain name or website host.

In simple terms, when we type in a domain name like 'google.com' into our browser's search bar, this information is sent to the designated Nameservers given by the user's Internet service provider(ISP). The browser then resolves, or reversely looks up, this domain name in DNS servers and matches it with the corresponding IP address associated with it. It then finds out who owns the domain name and where this server is located before sending a response back to the user's web browser. This whole process enables us to access any website quickly regardless of its geographical location and serves as an important aspect of modern day web browsing.

Apart from end-user experience faster page loading time, nameserver lookup also serves as a form of cybersecurity as DNS servers automatically check if websites contain malware or not before allowing them through to users' browsers. It is for this reason that incorrect nameserver setups are very often discouraged and can have serious consequences for public facing websites by blocking them from being visited at all or simply slowing down their loading speeds due to DNS propagation issues which could lead them unavailable indefinitely.