The main difference between domain and DNS is that the domain is a piece of string that helps to identify a particular website while the DNS (Domain Name System) is a server that translates the domain to the corresponding IP address to provide the required webpage.
There are many websites on the World Wide Web (WWW) including education, e-commerce, government, entertainment sites. It is necessary for each website to have a domain name. It helps to identify the website. The domain is unique to a particular user and others cannot use that name for their websites. When the user enters a domain in the browser, the DNS converts that name to the matching IP address to provide the required webpage. In brief, DNS resolves the domains to IP addresses.
Key Areas Covered
1. What is Domain
– Definition, Functionality
2. What is DNS
– Definition, Functionality
3. Difference Between Domain and DNS
– Comparison of Key Differences
Key Terms
Domain, DNS, IP Address, Website, WWW
What is a Domain
There is a massive number of websites available in the WWW. It is necessary to have a domain or a domain name to make a website visible to the user. A domain is a piece of string that helps to identify a website. For example, the domain of this website is “pediaa.com”. The domain name contains an extension to represent the type of the website or the company the website belongs too. The .com refers to a global company while .gov represents a government organization. Similarly, .org represents a non-government organization.
Figure 1: Domain Extensions
When the user visits a website or a webpage, the web address or its location on the web appears on the top of the web browser screen. It is the Uniform Resource Locator (URL). An example is as follows.
http://pediaa.com/difference-between-lan-man-and-wan/
In the above URL, “pediaa.com” is the domain. This is the unique name belonging to the registered owner, and it points to the home page of the website.
The user can pay and register domain names from domain name registrar such as “GoDaddy. com”. Once he purchases a domain for his website, it is unique to him for the period of registration. When the user avoids renewing, that domain will be available to some other user. An individual or an organization can purchase a domain for their website for a reasonable amount.
What is DNS
Devices and services in the WWW use IP addresses. It is not possible for the users to type each IP address. DNS is the solution to this issue. It stands for Domain Name System. When the user enters the domain in the web browser, the DNS server converts the domain name to the corresponding IP addresses. The task of the DNS is similar to a phone book. The user can find the corresponding phone number by searching the name. Similarly, when the user enters the domain in the browser, the DNS converts that to the corresponding IP address to find and display the required website.
Figure 2: DNS
For example, when the user enters pediaa.com in the web browser, the DNS search its database to find the matching IP address for that domain. After finding, it will resolve that domain name to the IP address of the website. Now, the user can communicate with pediaa.com and retrieve the required webpage.
Difference Between Domain and DNS
Definition
Domain is an identification string that defines a realm of administrative autonomy, authority or control within the internet. DNS or the Domain Name System is a hierarchical decentralized naming system for computers, services and other resources connected to the internet or a private network.
Usage
The domain helps the user to identify a specific website while the DNS converts the domain names to the numerical IP addresses to provide the required computer services or the devices.
Conclusion
The difference between domain and DNS is that the domain is a piece of string that helps to identify a particular website while the DNS is a server that translates the domain to the corresponding IP address to provide the required webpage.
Reference:
1. How a DNS Server (Domain Name System) Works., PowerCert Animated Videos, 26 May 2016, Available here.
Image Courtesy:
1. “Internet master top-level domains” (Public Domain) via Public Domain Files
2.”Dns-server-upload” By Б.Өлзий – Own work (CC BY-SA 4.0) via Commons Wikimedia
Leave a Reply