Understanding DNS Server Hosts File for Dev

Dear Dev, if you are looking to optimize your website’s performance, DNS Server Hosts File is an important aspect that you should familiarize yourself with. In this article, we will demystify the DNS Server, Hosts File and explain how you can leverage it to improve your website’s speed and performance. Read on to learn more.

What is DNS Server?

DNS stands for Domain Name System, and it is a critical component of the internet infrastructure. Think of DNS as a phone book for the internet, where domain names are translated into IP addresses. Without DNS, we would need to memorize IP addresses to access websites, which would be quite inconvenient, to say the least.

When you enter a domain name into your browser, your computer sends a request to a DNS server asking for the IP address associated with the domain name. The DNS server responds with the IP address, and your computer uses it to connect to the website.

How Does DNS Server Work?

When you enter a domain name into your browser, your computer first checks its local cache to see if it already has the IP address for the domain. If it does not, the computer sends a request to the DNS server specified in your network settings.

The DNS server responds with the IP address of the domain name, and your computer caches the IP address so that it does not need to request it again in the future.

However, the DNS server does not always have the IP address for the domain name in its cache. In that case, it needs to query other DNS servers until it finds the IP address, which can add latency to the process and slow down website performance.

How to Choose the Right DNS Server?

By default, your computer uses the DNS server provided by your internet service provider. However, there are many public DNS servers available that may provide faster and more reliable service. Some of the popular options include:

DNS Server Name	IP Address
Google DNS	8.8.8.8
Cloudflare DNS	1.1.1.1
OpenDNS	208.67.222.222

To change your DNS server, you can edit your network settings and enter the IP address of the new DNS server. Keep in mind that changing your DNS server may cause some websites to behave differently, so it’s a good idea to test thoroughly after making the change.

What is Hosts File?

The Hosts file is a file on your computer that maps domain names to IP addresses. By editing the Hosts file, you can bypass the DNS server and specify the IP address for a domain directly.

This can be useful in a few scenarios:

• If you are developing a website and want to test it using a domain name before it is live.
• If you want to block access to a specific website on your computer.
• If you want to redirect a domain name to a different IP address.

The Hosts file is located in a different location depending on your operating system:

Operating System	Hosts File Location
Windows	C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts
macOS	/etc/hosts
Linux	/etc/hosts

Keep in mind that editing the Hosts file can have unintended consequences, and it should be done with caution. Always make a backup of the original Hosts file before making any changes.

How to Edit Hosts File?

To edit the Hosts file, you need to open it in a text editor with administrator privileges. Here’s how to do it:

1. Open a text editor with administrator privileges (e.g., Notepad on Windows).
2. Open the Hosts file from its location on your computer.
3. Add a new line for each domain name that you want to map to an IP address, in the following format:

IP Address Domain Name

4. Save the file and close the text editor.

For example, to map the domain example.com to the IP address 192.168.1.100, you would add the following line to the Hosts file:

192.168.1.100 example.com

Using Hosts File for Website Performance Optimization

In addition to its other uses, the Hosts file can be used to improve website performance by bypassing the DNS server and resolving domain names locally.

When you enter a domain name into your browser, your computer first checks its local cache, then the Hosts file, and finally the DNS server. By specifying the IP address for a domain in the Hosts file, you can avoid the latency of querying the DNS server and speed up website performance.

FAQs

What is the maximum size of Hosts file?

The Hosts file is limited to 65536 lines.

Why should I use a public DNS server instead of my ISP’s DNS server?

Public DNS servers often have faster and more reliable service than ISP DNS servers. They may also provide additional features, such as filtering out malicious websites.

Can I use the Hosts file to block ads?

Yes, you can use the Hosts file to block access to domains associated with ads. However, keep in mind that this is not a comprehensive solution, and many ad networks use multiple domains.

How often does my computer check the DNS server?

Your computer checks the DNS server every time it needs to resolve a domain name that is not in its local cache or the Hosts file.

Can I use the Hosts file to redirect a domain name to a different domain?

Yes, you can specify any IP address, including the IP address of a different domain, in the Hosts file.

Conclusion

DNS Server Hosts File is a powerful tool for website performance optimization, testing, and blocking access to specific websites. By understanding how DNS servers and Hosts files work, you can make informed decisions that will improve your website’s speed and performance. We hope this article has been helpful to you, Dev.