Understanding What Happens When You Enter ‘google.com’ in Your Browser
We’ve all done it countless times — typing “https://www.google.com” in our browsers and hitting Enter. But have you ever wondered about the intricate steps that occur behind the scenes to make that Google homepage appear on your screen? From the initial DNS request to the intricacies of secure communication, load balancing, and data retrieval. This blog post will take you on a technical journey through the inner workings of the internet, demystifying what happens when you initiate that seemingly simple web search.
DNS Resolution:
What is DNS?
DNS, or the Domain Name System, is like the internet’s phone book. When you type a web address like “google.com” into your browser, DNS is what helps your computer find the right server on the internet by getting its IP address.
Why Do We Use DNS?
Humans tend to remember words like “google.com” better than long numbers like 172.217.3.110. However, computers use these long numbers (unique IP addresses) to connect. This is where DNS comes to the rescue by providing a way to use easy-to-remember domain names.
How Does DNS Work?
There are several DNS servers, and they work together to help you get the desired IP address. It’s a bit like a chain of information. Your computer starts by asking your local DNS server. If it doesn’t know, it asks other servers until it finds the answer. This process happens incredibly fast.
There are 4 DNS servers involved in an IP address lookup:
Local DNS Resolver: This is your computer or network’s DNS resolver. It’s the first point of contact when you try to access a website. It checks its cache for the IP address associated with the domain name you’re looking up.
If it doesn’t find it, typically the resolver is then responsible for making additional requests in order to satisfy the client’s DNS query.
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