DNS Demystified: The Web's Address Book

Thanks for reading A Machine w/ Jace! This week’s lesson is an introduction to DNS, the technology that constructs the internet as we know it. I’ve spent the entire last week in Cloudflare’s DNS hosting environment, and I can tell you it is a professional tool set. Like learning a language, time and exposure have been my best friend and mentor. This will be a technically and conceptually rigorous email, but all the information necessary is provided in the Lesson & Example sections below.

To write this edition, I studied, struggled, and sacrificed all so you don’t have to.
Please Enjoy!

Skip Ahead

• News: Bite-sized automation & AI headlines

• Lesson: How DNS Works

• Example: DNS Guide

• Virtual Networking: Curated free virtual opportunities

• AI Tool Spotlight: 3 AI tools to automate your workflow

_{Catch up on A.I. assistants, assistance, announcements, and amusement with A Machine. This weekly email will teach you about Automation & A.I. business tech.}

NEWS
Bite-sized Automation & AI headlines.

📞 AI robocalls are declared illegal by the FCC after a robocall imitating Joe Biden dissuaded people from voting for him in the Democratic primaries.

🐭 Disney’s “Magic Words” employs AI in streaming service advertising, offering viewers a smoother transition between movies and commercials

💻️ Samsung unveils new “Galaxy AI” at CES 2024, showcasing AI’s role in enhancing everyday user experiences across their newest line of devices.

LESSON
The DNS, The Rules, and The Journey of Your Searches 📧 

The Domain Name System (DNS) is a foundational technology of the internet, functioning as a directory that translates human-friendly domain names (like example.com) into IP addresses that computers use to connect to one another. Virtually everyone who uses the internet interacts with DNS, whether they're browsing websites, sending emails, or using online services. Here's a streamlined overview of how DNS works, from a user's query to receiving a response:

1. User's Query: The process begins when you type a website address into your browser. This action starts a DNS lookup to find the corresponding IP address.

   

2. Recursive Resolver: Your ISP's DNS server acts as the recursive resolver (when one server communicates with many others), taking the initial request and working to find the IP address by making several queries on your behalf.

3. Root Nameserver: The resolver first asks for a root nameserver, which directs it to the appropriate Top-Level Domain (TLD) nameserver based on the domain's extension (.com, .org, etc.). This nameserver further refines the search, pointing to the domain's authoritative nameserver, which has the exact data needed.

   

4. Nameserver Response: Holding the domain's DNS records, this server provides the specific IP address or other requested data back to the resolver. The recursive resolver sends the IP address to your browser, enabling it to load the website.

   

EXAMPLE
Getting Online: Your DNS Setup Guide

So you want to run a website… or maybe you are just interested. Here is the step-by-step guide to go from zero to hero!

1. Register Your Domain: Choose a unique domain name for your website or system. Use a reputable domain registrar to purchase your domain. This name will serve as the address people use to find you online.

2. Select a DNS Provider: While many domain registrars offer DNS hosting, you might opt for a specialized DNS provider like Cloudflare for enhanced features such as improved performance and security.

3. Point Your Domain to Your DNS Provider:

• In your domain registrar, locate the DNS settings section.

• Replace the default nameserver records with the nameservers provided by your DNS hosting service (e.g., Cloudflare). This change directs all traffic for your domain to your chosen DNS provider.

  

4. Configure DNS Records: Log into your DNS provider's dashboard and add the necessary DNS records for your domain. Focus on the following key record types for a basic setup:

5. Verify Configuration: After configuring your DNS records, use online tools (Google Dig) to verify that your records are correctly set up and propagating across the internet.

6. Wait for Propagation: The DNS infrastructure relies on a distributed network of servers, each caching DNS records for efficiency and speed. When a record is changed at the authoritative source (your DNS provider), each server in the network needs to update its cached information to reflect the new records. These changes can take up to 48 hours to propagate worldwide.

NETWORK & CERTIFICATIONS
Curated Virtual Opportunities 🌐 

Virtual Networking

Feb 21 - Reserve free tickets to the LA Green Jobs Virtual Career Fair for opportunities in eco-friendly industries.

Feb 29 - Reserve free tickets to the Virtual Rocket Pitch & Power Networking by CONNECTpreneur, featuring interactive sessions with emerging tech companies.

Feb 29 - Reserve free tickets to the HackerX Canada Virtual Event, offering a platform for developers to engage with tech companies through rapid interviews and networking

Virtual Course of the Week

Learn the basics of DNS with the Introduction to the DNS (Domain Name System) virtual course on Coursera.

P.S. This is a paid course; A Machine advocates investing in your education!

AI TOOL SPOTLIGHT
3 AI Tools to Boost Your Productivity

Rationale: Improve decision-making by giving subjective perspectives with pros & cons.

Gamma: Generate engaging video presentations, slide decks, and charts with simply a text prompt.

Dishgen: Create unique recipes based on ingredients on-hand and food preferences.

QUIZ
Detecting AI: Choose The Real Image 🔎 

Results
Congratulations scholars! Last week we had a 100% success rate in identifying the real image across all guesses.

Please Reply to these emails with feedback or any topics you are interested in.

WRAP UP
See you scholars next week 🧑‍🎓 

Understanding the DNS is an incredibly valuable skill set. The world runs on the internet, so understanding its protocols is understanding the rules of the world!

I hope you enjoyed this week, please let me know if you have any questions by replying to this email!

Thanks for reading,
See you Monday!

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Jace