TCP/IP

DNS Server

The DNS Server has one primary function: to resolve host names to an IP address

Primary DNS Server

A Primary DNS Server is one that is the primary authority for the zone database records for a particular zone

The primary DNS server for abc.com first tries to resolve the request locally by checking its own records.

WINS

The Windows Internet Naming Service (WINS) provides tools that helps Windows to manage the NetBIOS names of servers and workstations in a TCP/IP networking environment.

Resolves NetBIOS names to IP addresses

WINS Features

WINS is dynamic, and is updated when machines are started or stopped, or by replication with other WINS Services.

When a name is registered, it will be reserved for that one computer, further simplifying naming schemes. Each computer will always have its own unique name.

The Differences between WINS and DNS

Feature WINS DNS

Purpose Resolves NetBIOS names to IP addresses

Resolves host names to IP addresses

Names Flat in structure and limited to 15 characters

Hierarchical structure and limited to 255 characters

Name Registration Dynamic and happens automatically

Static and must be done manually

Replication Replicates changes Replicates whole database

HOSTS Files

In TCP/IP networks, all known host names and their associated IP addresses are stored in a simple text file called HOSTS.

Time To Live (TTL)

Some hosts know about others who know about them, the packets sometimes ended up in a circle, routing.

This routing loop was controlled with a Time To Live (TTL) value included in each packet.

Dynamic and Static IP

Dynamic – assigned by DHCP Static – manually entered, fixed