Linux DNS Server List: Everything You Need to Know

Hi Dev, welcome to our article on Linux DNS Server List. Here, we have gathered all the essential information regarding DNS servers in Linux that you need to know. If you are wondering about the best DNS servers for Linux, how to configure them, or what DNS is in the first place, this article has got you covered. So, without further ado, let’s get started!

What is DNS?

Before we delve into finding the best DNS servers for Linux, let’s first understand what DNS is. DNS stands for Domain Name System. It is a system that translates human-readable domain names such as google.com into machine-readable IP addresses such as 172.217.166.206. This is necessary because computers communicate using IP addresses rather than domain names.

The DNS system is essential for the proper functioning of the internet. It allows users to access websites by using their domain names instead of remembering a complex string of numbers.

DNS Hierarchy

The DNS system follows a hierarchical structure. At the top of the hierarchy are the root servers that store information about the top-level domains such as .com, .org, and .net. Below the root servers are the TLD (Top-Level Domain) servers that store information about domains such as google.com or yahoo.com. Finally, there are the authoritative DNS servers that store information about individual domain names.

Now that you have a clear understanding of what DNS is, let’s move on to the topic of Linux DNS servers.

Types of DNS Servers

There are two types of DNS servers: Primary DNS server and Secondary DNS server. Let’s have a look at them in detail.

Primary DNS Server

The primary DNS server is the first point of contact for clients when they are trying to resolve domain names. This server contains the original source of DNS zone data for the domains it is authoritative for. Changes to the zone are made on the primary DNS server, and it notifies secondary DNS servers of any updates.

Secondary DNS Server

A secondary DNS server is a backup server that copies the data from the primary DNS server. It is a read-only copy of the primary DNS server that responds to DNS queries when the primary DNS server is down.

Now that we have discussed the types of DNS servers let’s dive into the list of DNS servers for Linux.

List of DNS Servers for Linux

Here are some DNS servers that are compatible with Linux:

How to Install a DNS Server on Linux

Here are the general steps to follow when installing a DNS server on Linux:

1. Update the package manager using the command: sudo apt-get update
2. Install the DNS server using the command: sudo apt-get install dns-server-name
3. Configure the DNS server by modifying the configuration file.
4. Start the DNS server using the command: sudo systemctl start dns-server-name

FAQ

Q. Which DNS server is the best?

A. There is no one-size-fits-all answer to this question as it depends on your specific needs. However, BIND is the most commonly used DNS server and is known for its excellent performance and reliability.

Q. Can I configure a DNS server on a Raspberry Pi?

A. Yes, you can configure a DNS server on Raspberry Pi. You can use a lightweight DNS server such as Dnsmasq, which is ideal for small networks.

Q. How to test if my DNS server is working?

A. You can test if your DNS server is working using the nslookup command. Open a terminal and type nslookup domain-name. If the command returns the IP address of the domain name, your DNS server is working.

Q. Can I use a public DNS server instead of a local DNS server?

A. Yes, you can use a public DNS server such as Google DNS or OpenDNS instead of a local DNS server. However, it may result in slower performance due to the distance between the server and the client.

Q. How to secure my DNS server?

A. You can secure your DNS server by using DNSSEC (DNS Security Extensions) and by implementing firewall rules to restrict access to the server.

Conclusion

That brings us to the end of our article on Linux DNS Server List. We hope that this article has provided you with all the essential information that you need to know regarding DNS servers in Linux. Remember, choosing the right DNS server is important as it can affect the performance and security of your network. If you have any further queries or suggestions, please leave a comment below.