What is Reverse DNS?

[Philly]

What does reverse DNS do? Is it an option I can make or is it done automatically on some packages? What are the things where reverse DNS can be used?

[NCHosting]

Originally Posted by Philly

What does reverse DNS do? Is it an option I can make or is it done automatically on some packages? What are the things where reverse DNS can be used?

Hey Philly.

In computer networking, reverse DNS lookup or reverse DNS resolution (rDNS) is the determination of a domain name that is associated with a given IP address using the Domain Name System (DNS) of the Internet.

Computer networks use the Domain Name System to determine the IP address associated with a domain name. This process is also known as forward DNS resolution. Reverse DNS lookup is the inverse process of this, the resolution of an IP address to its designated domain name.

So for example, you type in http:// www dot google dot com into your web browser. The Domain Name System converts the website name you entered, into an IP address, so you can obtain the Webpage from the server and have it displayed on your screen.

The Internet at its core, runs on IP addresses.

Reverse DNS allows computers to convert your IP address -EG 101.11.251.11 to a domain name. Eg dot com <--Example

As people are more likely to remember the letters http:// www dot google dot com dot au instead of a string of numbers, that is why DNS and rDNS are used.

Internet Standards require that- "Every Internet-reachable host should have a name" and that such names match with a reverse pointer record.

I really am sorry if I have stunned you with this information you may not understand. I have a habit of being technical. :drunk:

[Frankie]

The info isn't exactly overwhelming but yes, could have been a bit more laymans!

Simply put, the internet uses numerical addresses, as stated-the I.P. address. To make it easier for humans to use, words, names and letters are assigned to each I.P. address so that you can enter the name instead of number. The DNS then looks up (resolves) the I.P. for you and sends you there.

Reverse DNS is the opposite-it is finding the name (URL) for the I.P. and can help you find other information too-such as the country and other information associated with the I.P.

[Philly]

Thanks guys for that thorough explanation.

The terms are quite technical but I manage to understand them with the use of dictionary from the internet.

So that means every website can have a reverse DNS? I thought this was just a feature from other web hosting companies.

[WebMaster]

Hi,

So that means every website can have a reverse DNS?

Reverse DNS is set on IP Address and the DNS then looks up (resolves) the IP.
So if you have multiple domains on single IP address, then no need to set the reverse DNS for all the domains.
You can set reverse DNS for domains which have dedicated/exclusive IP Address assigned to them.

[RicherdsFi]

I was having a tough time understanding reverse DNS as well. But then I started to look at examples of reverse DNS mapping that that helped me to understand it a ton better.

[debasri]

Hi!
Forward DNS is necessary for proper working of reverse DNS. Fire1