Install and Configure DNS Server and show the
working with Wireshark
Bachelor of Technology
Computer Science and Business Systems
Submitted By
SAINI GUHA ROY(13031122003)
PCC-CSBS 501
SEPTEMBER 2024
Techno Main
EM-4/1, Sector-V, Salt Lake
Kolkata- 700091
West Bengal
India
TABLE OF CONTENTS
1. INTRODUCTION
2. PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE OF DNS
3. FUNCTIONS OF DNS
4. DNS SERVER OVERVIEW
5. HOW DNS IS USED
6. PRACTICAL EXAMPLE WITH WIRESHARK
7. CONCLUSION
8. REFERENCES
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INTRODUCTION
1. Definition:
• Domain Name System (DNS): A hierarchical and decentralized naming system for computers,
services, or other resources connected to the Internet or a private network.
2. Basic Functionality:
• Name Resolution: Converts human-readable domain names (like www.example.com) into
machine-readable IP addresses (like 192.168.1.1).
3. DNS Structure:
• Domain Names: Composed of labels separated by dots, such as example.com.
• Hierarchy: Organized in a hierarchical structure with the root at the top, followed by top-level
domains (TLDs), second-level domains, and so on.
4. DNS Components:
• DNS Resolver: Client-side component that queries the DNS server.
• DNS Server: Responds to queries from the DNS resolver and translates domain names to IP
addresses.
• Root Server: The top-level DNS server that directs queries to the appropriate TLD server.
• TLD Server: Manages domains under a specific top-level domain, such as .com or .org.
• Authoritative DNS Server: Holds the DNS records for specific domains and responds to queries
with authoritative answers.
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PURPOSE/OBJECTIVE OF DNS
1.User-Friendly Internet Browsing:
• Simplifies Access: Allows users to access websites using easy-to-remember domain names
instead of complex IP addresses.
• Example: Typing www.google.com instead of 142.250.74.78.
2.Scalability and Decentralization:
• Distributed System: DNS is a decentralized system, which means no single entity has control
over the entire namespace.
• Scalability: Can handle a vast number of domain names and IP addresses, accommodating the
growth of the internet.
3.Efficient Resource Management:
• Load Balancing: DNS can distribute network traffic across multiple servers to ensure optimal
performance and availability.
• Example: Multiple IP addresses for www.example.com to manage high traffic.
4.Security and Redundancy:
• Redundancy: Multiple DNS servers ensure continuous service availability even if one server
fails.
• Security Features: DNSSEC (DNS Security Extensions) adds a layer of security to protect
against certain types of cyber attacks, like DNS spoofing.
5.Support for Email Routing:
• MX Records: DNS manages mail exchange (MX) records to direct emails to the correct mail
server.
• Example: Email sent to [email protected] is routed to the mail server specified in the MX
record for example.com.
6.Enabling Network Services:
• Service Discovery: Helps in locating various services (e.g., web servers, mail servers) within a
network.
• Example: Locating a local printer or other network resources using domain names.
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Diagram showing how DNS works
FUNCTIONS OF DNS
1. Name Resolution:
• Primary Function: Translates domain names (like www.example.com) into IP addresses (like
192.168.1.1).
2. Domain Aliasing:
• CNAME Records: Maps multiple domain names to a single IP address (e.g., www.example.com
and example.com).
3. Load Distribution:
• Load Balancing: Distributes traffic across multiple servers to manage high volumes.
4. Email Routing:
• MX Records: Directs emails to the correct mail server (e.g., [email protected]).
5. Reverse DNS Lookups:
• PTR Records: Maps IP addresses back to domain names for verification purposes.
6. Service Discovery:
• SRV Records: Locates services within a domain (e.g., chat servers).
7. Providing Information:
• TXT Records: Stores text information for domain verification and security (e.g., SPF records).
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DNS SERVER OVERVIEW
1. Types of DNS Servers
• Caching-Only DNS Server:
o Does not store original records; only caches responses received from other DNS servers.
o Speeds up DNS resolution by reducing the need to contact other servers for repeat requests.
o Useful for reducing latency in networks.
• Authoritative DNS Server:
o Holds the original and complete records of domain names for which it is responsible.
o Responds to queries with the actual IP address or relevant record directly from its database.
o Example: The DNS server that hosts records for "example.com."
• Forwarding DNS Server:
o Forwards client DNS queries to another DNS server, usually for resolving external
domains.
o Reduces the load on internal DNS servers and helps centralize DNS control.
2. Components of DNS
• Zones:
o A zone is a portion of the DNS namespace that a DNS server manages.
o Zones contain DNS records, and a single DNS server may manage multiple zones.
• Records:
o A (Address) Record: Maps a domain name to an IPv4 address.
o AAAA Record: Maps a domain name to an IPv6 address.
o CNAME (Canonical Name) Record: Alias of one domain to another (e.g., www to
example.com).
o MX (Mail Exchange) Record: Directs email to mail servers for a domain.
o PTR (Pointer) Record: Maps an IP address to a domain name (reverse DNS lookup).
3. Brief on DNS Hierarchy
• Root Servers:
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o The highest level in the DNS hierarchy.
o Stores information about top-level domain (TLD) name servers.
o There are 13 root server clusters globally.
• Top-Level Domains (TLDs):
o Includes generic TLDs (e.g., .com, .org, .net) and country-code TLDs (e.g., .uk, .in).
o Managed by authoritative DNS servers.
• Second-Level Domains (SLDs):
o Domains registered under TLDs, such as example.com.
o This is the domain name portion that individuals or organizations register.
DNS HIERARCHY
HOW DNS IS USED
1. Web Browsing:
• Simplified Access: Converts user-friendly domain names to IP addresses.
• Example: Entering www.example.com in a browser resolves to 192.168.1.1.
2. Email Services:
• MX Records: Directs emails to the appropriate mail servers.
• Example: Email sent to [email protected] is routed to the mail server specified in the MX
record for example.com.
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3. Network Services:
• Service Discovery: Locates network services using SRV records.
• Example: Finding a local printer or chat service within a corporate network.
4. Load Balancing:
• Distributing Traffic: Balances load across multiple servers to ensure availability.
• Example: A popular website using multiple servers to handle high traffic.
5. Security Measures:
• DNSSEC: Adds a layer of security to protect against DNS spoofing.
• Example: Ensures that the responses to DNS queries are authentic.
PRACTICAL EXAMPLE WITH WIRESHARK
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CONCLUSION
1. Summary:
• DNS Overview: Recap the role and importance of DNS in network communication.
• Configuration Steps: Summarize the process of installing, configuring, and verifying a DNS
server.
• Wireshark Usage: Review how Wireshark can be used to monitor and analyze DNS traffic.
2. Key Takeaways:
• Critical Role of DNS: DNS is essential for translating domain names into IP addresses, enabling
seamless internet access.
• Security and Reliability: Regular updates and careful configuration ensure DNS security and
reliability.
• Traffic Analysis: Wireshark is a powerful tool for understanding and troubleshooting DNS
behavior.
3. Future Considerations:
• DNSSEC Implementation: Consider implementing DNSSEC for enhanced security.
• Monitoring: Regularly monitor DNS performance and security to prevent issues.
REFERENCES
1. Websites:
• Ubuntu Documentation. (n.d.). DNS Server Configuration. Retrieved from
• Wireshark Foundation. (n.d.). Wireshark User Guide. Retrieved from
https://www.wireshark.org/docs/wsug_html_chunked/
2. Articles:
• Moir, J. (2021). DNS: Understanding How Domain Name System Works. Cloudflare. Retrieved
from https://www.cloudflare.com/learning/dns/what-is-dns/
3. Software:
• BIND9. (n.d.). Berkeley Internet Name Domain (BIND) Software. Internet Systems Consortium
(ISC). Retrieved from https://www.isc.org/bind/
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