Domain Name System (DNS) FAQ

Published on September 20, 2023

A Deep Dive into DNS Functionality and Recent Developments

In the ever-evolving landscape of the digital realm, the Domain Name System (DNS) is a hidden hero – silently working behind the scenes to ensure seamless connectivity and smooth navigation. While often overlooked, DNS plays a pivotal role in our online experiences, acting as the backbone of the Internet. To learn more about DNS, the best place to start is with a basic understanding of what it is and what it does.

• What is DNS?
• How does DNS work?
• What are important DNS features?
• How does DNS help route traffic?
• How is DNS related to cybersecurity?
• What are some new DNS developments to be aware of?
• Why choose a productized DNS solution?
• How can Incognito help?

What is DNS?

DNS serves as a directory for the Internet. It transforms human-readable domain names into numerical IP addresses, facilitating communication between devices and servers. In essence, it ensures applications and devices connect to the appropriate Internet resource. Authoritative DNS servers hold the official information, while recursive DNS servers help users find that information efficiently.

How does DNS work?

Authoritative DNS: Authoritative DNS servers hold the official records for specific domain names. They provide the correct IP addresses associated with domain names and act as the trusted source for that information. Think of them as the "source" of the information in the DNS system.

Recursive DNS: Recursive DNS servers are like intermediaries. When you type a web address in your browser, your device usually asks a recursive DNS server to find the IP address for that domain. The recursive DNS server then consults authoritative DNS servers to obtain the information, acting as a middleman to help your device reach the right destination.

DNS is used in various contexts, such as:

• Simplified and streamlined internal network management: Authoritative DNS maps internal components – like video, voice, and data services – to IP addresses, letting network components talk to each other without requiring IP address provisioning.
• Central management of a large number of domains: Small and medium business operators may need multiple domains to run their business in today's world – DNS can help manage these records without requiring SMBs to host their own servers.
• Facilitated VPN connections: Internal authoritative DNS can help support VPN connections between multiple locations, such as distinct office or branch locations, or an office and a data center.

What are important DNS features?

For operators looking to deliver faster, more reliable, and secure online experiences to their users while adapting to the evolving demands of the digital landscape, DNS offers many features to enhance performance, reduce latency, improve security, and facilitate the seamless integration of IPv6 into the existing network infrastructure, including:

• Caching: DNS caching improves performance by storing previously resolved domain name-to-IP address mappings. This way, subsequent requests for the same domain can be answered quickly, reducing latency.
• TTL (Time-to-Live): TTL specifies how long DNS information can be cached before it needs to be refreshed. It ensures that changes to DNS records propagate throughout the network within a defined time frame.
• DNS security extensions (DNSSEC): DNSSEC provides an extra layer of security by digitally signing DNS records, guaranteeing data integrity, and preventing DNS hijacking or spoofing attacks.
• IPv6 Support: DNS accommodates the transition to IPv6 by handling the resolution of IPv6 addresses alongside traditional IPv4 addresses.

How does DNS help route traffic?

While DNS itself doesn't directly route traffic, it does play a crucial role in facilitating the routing of traffic across the Internet through the following steps:

1. Domain name resolution: The user enters a domain name in the web browser.
2. DNS query resolution: The browser sends a DNS query to a resolver.
3. Recursive DNS resolution: The resolver checks the cache and retrieves the IP address if available.
4. TLD (top-level domain) and authoritative DNS servers: If the IP address is not in the cache, the resolver starts the recursive resolution process.
5. Resolution at specific domain's authoritative DNS: The resolver contacts the root DNS servers, the TLD authoritative servers, and the domain's authoritative servers.
6. Traffic routing: The resolver obtains the IP address and returns it to the browser for traffic routing.

By resolving domain names to IP addresses, DNS enables devices to establish connections with the correct servers. With the IP address obtained, traffic routing can occur through the network routers based on the IP address information.

How is DNS related to cybersecurity?

DNS plays a significant role in cybersecurity, as seen in the following features:

• DNS-based threat intelligence: DNS data helps identify and block malicious domains and IP addresses, enhancing threat detection and prevention.
• DNS filtering: DNS enables content filtering to block access to harmful websites, protecting against malware and phishing attacks.
• DNS firewalls: DNS firewalls monitor and filter DNS traffic, preventing suspicious requests and thwarting cyber attacks.
• DNS logging and analysis: DNS logs provide valuable insights for detecting anomalies, identifying threats, and investigating security incidents.
• DNS tunneling detection: DNS is monitored to detect and block attempts to use it for covert communication or bypassing security controls.
• DNS-based authentication and security protocols: DNS supports protocols like DNSSEC and DANE, ensuring data integrity and protecting against DNS-based attacks.

DNS is closely intertwined with cybersecurity, providing valuable data for threat intelligence, enabling content filtering and DNS firewalls, aiding in traffic analysis, detecting DNS tunneling, and supporting secure authentication protocols. By leveraging DNS effectively, organizations can enhance their overall cybersecurity posture and protect against a wide range of threats.

What are some new DNS developments to be aware of?

Recent developments in DNS technology provide benefits such as enhanced privacy, security, service availability, resilience, and optimal performance. By adopting the following innovations, organizations can strengthen their DNS infrastructure, protect user data, and deliver a secure and seamless online experience to their users:

• DNS over HTTPS (DoH): DoH enhances privacy and security by encrypting DNS traffic, preventing eavesdropping or tampering. Major web browsers have started implementing DoH support, and organizations are increasingly adopting it to protect users' DNS queries.
• DNS over TLS (DoT): Similar to DoH, DoT encrypts DNS traffic but operates at the transport layer using the TLS (Transport Layer Security) protocol. It provides an alternative method for securing DNS queries, especially for applications and devices that do not support DoH.
• DHCP DoS mitigation: DNS is vulnerable to DHCP Denial of Service attacks. As cyber threats evolve, DNS providers have developed advanced DHCP DoS mitigation techniques to safeguard the integrity and availability of DNS services.
• DNS load balancing: Innovations in DNS load balancing allow organizations to dynamically distribute traffic based on various factors like server health, geographic location, and user proximity, ensuring optimal performance and scalability.

Why choose a productized DNS solution?

When faced with a choice between open-source software, a productized solution, or an in-house system, there are some great reasons to choose a productized option. While it may seem obvious that an in-house solution requires a lot of work and technical expertise, the same can be true of open-source options, which need frequent updates and technical know-how to maintain functionality and security.

Consider the following benefits offered by selecting a productized solution:

• Enhanced security: Minimize the risk of vulnerabilities and ensure a more secure DNS infrastructure with a productized solution developed with a focus on security.
• Professional support: Reduce downtime and improve operational efficiency by adopting a productized solution, providing prompt assistance and troubleshooting in case of issues.
• Ease of use: Enjoy a more intuitive and efficient user experience with streamlined interfaces and management tools, which make it easier to configure, monitor, and maintain DNS infrastructure.
• Scalability and performance: Optimize performance even under heavy traffic loads with a productized solution designed to handle large-scale deployments and high query volumes, which incorporates optimization techniques, such as caching and load balancing.
• Integration and compatibility: Simplify the integration process and enable smooth interoperability with a productized solution built to integrate seamlessly with other network infrastructure components and support various protocols and standards.

How can Incognito help?

We can help improve network security and scale operations with our automated DNS platform, offering DNS resolver, nameserver, and control capabilities.

Incognito DNS resolver capabilities:

A robust DNS system is essential to prevent costly network outages by combatting DHCP DoS attacks and security vulnerabilities in BIND. However, ensuring DNS security can be costly and complex, and capacity planning is challenging due to increasing query demands. Incognito offers secure, scalable, carrier-grade caching DNS software that offers built-in protection against high-volume DHCP DoS attacks and BIND vulnerabilities. Additionally, we provide a secure and scalable platform for DNS Watchtower, a suite of powerful and cost-effective security services.

Key solution benefits:

• Protects against DHCP DoS attacks, including PRSD (pseudo-random subdomain) attacks.
• Eliminates the need for BIND security vulnerability patching.
• Decreases TCO (total cost of ownership) by removing the need for server security applications.

Incognito DNS nameserver capabilities:

As service providers embrace virtualization and software-defined networking (SDN) for enhanced flexibility and cost reduction, it's crucial not to overlook security considerations. With our DNS nameserver capabilities, Incognito offers a secure and authoritative name server solution that seamlessly integrates with your network's back-office systems. Because it's not based on open-source BIND, your system remains shielded from critical vulnerabilities.

Key solution benefits:

• Remains fully responsive during DHCP DoS attacks.
• Eliminates the need for BIND security vulnerability patching.
• Decreases TCO by removing the need for server security applications.

Incognito DNS control capabilities:

As networks expand, managing numerous DNS servers efficiently becomes crucial for maintaining service levels. Incognito's DNS control capabilities provide a centralized management platform for DNS software and configurations. We streamline monitoring capabilities, facilitate controlled software rollouts, and standardize configurations across the network.

Key solution benefits:

• Reduce DNS server TCO.
• Eliminate configuration errors that can impact service availability.
• Support the staged rollout of new software.
• Identify issues before services are impacted.
• Simplify troubleshooting and capacity planning.

Conclusion

As the digital world continues to evolve, staying informed about DNS advancements and incorporating robust DNS solutions becomes crucial for businesses seeking to thrive in the ever-changing technological landscape. With the right solutions, organizations can elevate their DNS infrastructure's security, scalability, and management efficiency, ensuring uninterrupted connectivity and a superior online experience. Please contact us today to learn how Incognito can help drive your network's success.