DNS, or Domain Name Service, is the technology that points your computer in the right place whenever you send an e-mail or visit a website. Chances are, when you’re surfing the Web, you type , and not the numeric IP (or Internet Protocol) address. So what happens is when you type (or whatever plain-English name you enter), a computer somewhere translates that entry into the proper IP address and routes you to the right place. Sound simple? You may want to think again.
The web address people type in their browser is like your name, and the IP address is the equivalent of your phone number. Your DNS service acts as a switchboard operator, translating the text address into its numerical counterpart. Although this happens literally billions of times a day worldwide, it’s still a fairly complicated procedure. But as complex as it is when the IP address stays the same, imagine if the IP address changes?
If you’ve got a business, no matter what the size, chances are you’ve got your own website. In fact, it’s likely that more and more of your business is being driven by–and through–the Web. It has become crucial, therefore, that your website works. Not some of the time, not most of the time, but all of the time. For example, if you own Steve’s Widgets, you’ll want people to be directed cleanly and quickly to your site when they type into their browser. (more…)