The internet phonebook explained
What is DNS?
Understand DNS, how name servers work and how to point your domain to your hosting.
What is DNS?
DNS (Domain Name System) is a system that translates domain names into IP addresses (e.g. beohosting.com → 185.x.x.x). The internet’s phonebook. When you enter a domain, the browser asks a DNS server for the IP and connects there. Record types: A (IPv4), AAAA (IPv6), CNAME (alias), MX (email), TXT (SPF/DKIM/DMARC), NS (name server). DNS propagation: up to 48h. BeoHosting offers free DNS management in cPanel.
- DNS = domain name → IP address
- Record types: A, AAAA, CNAME, MX, TXT, NS
- Propagation: up to 48h
- BeoHosting cPanel DNS Zone Editor
- DNSSEC supported
What is DNS and why does it matter?
DNS (Domain Name System) is a system that translates human-readable domain names (such as beohosting.com) into numeric IP addresses (such as 185.199.108.153) that computers use to communicate with one another on the internet. Without DNS, you would have to memorise the IP address of every site you want to visit.
You can think of DNS as the internet’s phonebook. When you want to call someone, you don’t dial numbers from memory — you look the person up by name in the directory. In the same way, DNS translates a domain name into the “phone number” (IP address) of the server where the site lives.
DNS is a fundamental part of internet infrastructure that works in the background every time you open any site. Correctly configured DNS records are essential for the functioning of your web hosting, your email system and all online services tied to your domain.
What is a DNS server?
A DNS server is a computer that translates a domain name, such as beohosting.com, into the IP address of the server that hosts the site. When you type an address, your browser asks your internet provider’s DNS server, which finds the answer at that domain’s name servers. Without DNS we would open websites by typing numbers instead of names.
How does DNS work?
When you type a website address into your browser, a complex process unfolds behind the scenes in less than a second:
The user types an address
When you type “beohosting.com” into your browser, your computer first checks the local DNS cache. If there is no answer, it sends a query to your internet provider’s DNS resolver.
DNS resolver
The resolver (usually your internet provider’s DNS server) receives the query and checks its cache. If there is no answer, it asks a root DNS server, which directs it to the TLD server (.com, .rs, etc.).
TLD and authoritative server
The TLD server (e.g. for .com) directs the resolver to the domain’s authoritative DNS server. The authoritative server (name server) returns the exact IP address where the site lives.
Response and caching
The resolver returns the IP address to your browser, which connects to the server and loads the site. The answer is cached for a set time (TTL) to speed up the next visit.
Types of DNS records
Each DNS record has a specific function. These are the most important types you should know.
A record (Address)
Links a domain to a server’s IPv4 address. The most fundamental DNS record — it tells the internet where your site lives.
Example: mysite.rs → 185.199.108.153
AAAA record (IPv6)
The same as an A record but for IPv6 addresses. More and more sites use IPv6 alongside the classic IPv4.
Example: mysite.rs → 2606:4700::6810:84e5
CNAME record (Canonical Name)
Creates an alias from one domain to another. Used for subdomains and redirecting to another domain.
Example: www.mysite.rs → mysite.rs
MX record (Mail Exchange)
Determines which server receives email for your domain. Without an MX record, email on your domain would not work.
Example: mysite.rs → mail.mysite.rs (priority 10)
TXT record (Text)
Stores text information. Used for SPF, DKIM, DMARC (email authentication) and domain verification for Google, Facebook and other services.
Example: v=spf1 include:_spf.google.com ~all
NS record (Name Server)
Defines which DNS servers are authoritative for your domain. Usually configured at your domain registrar.
Example: mysite.rs → ns1.beohosting.com
DNS propagation and TTL
When you change DNS records (e.g. move a site to new hosting), the change does not happen instantly across the world. The process of new DNS information spreading through the network of DNS servers is called DNS propagation.
TTL (Time to Live) is a value in seconds that tells DNS servers how long to keep (cache) a DNS record before checking again whether it has been updated. Shorter TTL values (e.g. 300 seconds = 5 minutes) mean fast propagation but more queries to the DNS server. Longer TTL values (e.g. 86400 seconds = 24 hours) mean slower propagation but less load.
Typical propagation time
From 15 minutes to 48 hours, depending on the TTL value and the user’s location. Most changes propagate within 1–4 hours.
Recommended TTL
3600 seconds (1 hour) for stable records. Lower it to 300 seconds (5 min) before planned changes, then raise it again afterwards.
Before a site migration
Lower the TTL to the minimum (300s) 24–48h before migration. Once you change the A record, propagation will be much faster.
DNS caching
Your computer, browser and ISP cache DNS answers. Clear your local cache if you don’t see changes right away.
Register a domain with free DNS management
Every domain at BeoHosting comes with free DNS hosting and full control over A, CNAME, MX and TXT records from the control panel.
Register a domainRelated pages and tools
You may also be interested in
Changing name servers
How to change NS records
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Frequently asked questions about DNS
Answers to the most common questions about our services.
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(+381) 60 3535 720What is DNS in simple terms?
DNS (Domain Name System) is a system that translates domain names (e.g. beohosting.com) into IP addresses (e.g. 185.199.108.153) that computers use to communicate with one another. Think of it as the internet’s phonebook — instead of memorising numbers, you remember names.
How long does DNS propagation take?
DNS propagation usually takes from 15 minutes to 48 hours, depending on the TTL (Time to Live) value and how quickly DNS servers around the world refresh. In practice, most changes propagate within 1–4 hours. BeoHosting DNS servers typically propagate changes in under 30 minutes.
What are name servers (NS records)?
Name servers are the DNS servers that are authoritative for your domain — they hold all of your domain’s DNS records and answer queries about it. When you register a domain, you set the name servers to point to your hosting provider (e.g. ns1.beohosting.com and ns2.beohosting.com).
Can I use DNS without hosting?
Yes, you can use DNS without web hosting — for example, to point a domain at another service, to set MX records for email or to use CNAME records for various services. However, to display a website you need hosting for the A record to point to.
What is the DNS cache and how do I clear it?
The DNS cache is a local copy of DNS records stored on your computer or in your browser to speed up repeat visits to websites. You can clear it on Windows with “ipconfig /flushdns”, on Mac with “sudo dscacheutil -flushcache”, or in Chrome at chrome://net-internals/#dns.
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