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What is the DNS forwarder?

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Question added by Giddaluru Satheesh Kumar , Network Engineer , Pegasus International Computer Co.W.L.L
Date Posted: 2016/07/19
Balaji Chandran
by Balaji Chandran , SAP IDM Expert , Dover Corporation

A forwarder is a Domain Name System (DNS) server on a network that forwards DNS queries for external DNS names to DNS servers outside that network. You can also forward queries according to specific domain names using conditional forwarders.

You designate a DNS server on a network as a forwarder by configuring the other DNS servers in the network to forward the queries that they cannot resolve locally to that DNS server. By using a forwarder, you can manage name resolution for names outside your network, such as names on the Internet, and improve the efficiency of name resolution for the computers in your network

When you designate a DNS server as a forwarder, you make that forwarder responsible for handling external traffic, which limits DNS server exposure to the Internet. A forwarder builds up a large cache of external DNS information because all the external DNS queries in the network are resolved through it. In a small amount of time, a forwarder resolves a large number of external DNS queries using this cached data. This decreases the Internet traffic over the network and the response time for DNS clients.

A DNS server that is configured to use a forwarder behaves differently than a DNS server that is not configured to use a forwarder. A DNS server that is configured to use a forwarder behaves as follows:

  1. When the DNS server receives a query, it attempts to resolve this query by using the zones that it hosts and by using its cache.
  2. If the query cannot be resolved using local data, the DNS server forwards the query to the DNS server that is designated as a forwarder.
  3. If forwarders are unavailable, the DNS server attempts to use its root hints to resolve the query..

When a DNS server forwards a query to a forwarder, it sends a recursive query to the forwarder. This is different than the iterative query that a DNS server sends to another DNS server during standard name resolution (name resolution that does not involve a forwarder).

 

Prasanjit Modak
by Prasanjit Modak , Associate Vice President – Enabling Areas , Deloitte

When we say "DNS forwarder" - It includes two words one - DNS, two - Forwarder.

DNS - Domain Name System is a fascinating technology, which has a server and client in concept. 

The server will include the database which includes names of Domain Name and their IP address listed.

When Clients don't have IP address in its cache for a particular Domain Name they will raise a DNS query packet will requesting IP address, this packet will be sent to DNS Server IP assigned to the client IP config.

If Server is able to receive the request and found the requested information in the database it will respond accordingly.

If Server is NOT able to find the response in the database or cache, it will forward the request to its DNS Server configured in IP config.

If the Server has Forwarder configured, it will send the requested to the defined Server in the list.

Forwarder - When DNS Server Send request to another DNS Server, it act as DNS Forwarder.

Muhammad Zubair
by Muhammad Zubair , Technical Support Assistant , ADNOC Refining

DNS forwarder forward DNS queries for external DNS names to DNS servers outside network.

Shehsawar Samad
by Shehsawar Samad , Digital Solution Manager , Serotonin

A DNS forwarder on a network is which forwards queries to external DNS name servers and this can be modified as per the organization needs 

Rishith  DK
by Rishith DK , SERVER ADMINISTRATOR , HCL INFOSYSTEM LTD

DNS resolution requests that a DNS server can't resolve locally. its forward to another DNS Server

Deleted user
by Deleted user

DNS forwarding is the process by which particular sets of DNS queries are handled by a designated server, rather than being handled by the initial server contacted by the client. Usually, all DNS servers that handle address resolution within the network are configured to forward requests for addresses that are outside the network to a dedicated forwarder.

Mohd Ehtesham Uddin khaja latif uddin
by Mohd Ehtesham Uddin khaja latif uddin , System Administrator , Dynamic Computers

a dns forwarder is a Domain naming system which is used to forward queries to external dns servers. it converts name to ip resolution.

example:

microsoft.com to 100.15.15.15

The DNS forwarder is used to convert name to IP resolution.

Syed Javed
by Syed Javed , it consultant , Infosys

Whatever domain names your DNS cannot resolve it forwards such queries to an outside DNS (like google's 4.4.4.4) and result is forwarded to the requesting client. This is done by DNS forwarder if it is configured.

Anirban Chakraborty
by Anirban Chakraborty , Network Administrator , Wipro Limited

A forwarder is a Domain Name System (DNS) server on a network used to forward DNS queries for external DNS names to DNS servers outside of that network. You can also forward queries according to specific domain names using conditional forwarders.

Visit This Link to Understand it better 

 

Salman Aloliwat
by Salman Aloliwat , Purchasing & Logistics Supervisor , Ligabue Saudi Arabia Ltd

Forward for Domain Name System

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