You must have come across the word “Nameserver” if you own or manage a website. But what exactly is a ‘Nameserver’? And how is it helpful in the internet world?

1. Nameserver: What Is It
And What Does It Do?
WHAT IS NAMESERVER?
Nameserver is a server that helps translate IP addresses into
domain names. These pieces of IT infrastructure are often needed
for Web setup components, where domain names serve as simple
identifiers for a specific area of the web.
The name server translates domain names into IP addresses. This
makes it easier for the user to access the website by typing in the
domain name instead of the actual IP address of the website. For
example, when you type “www.company.com,” the request is sent
to the company domain name server which returns the IP address
of the company website.
Also Read: Domains – Facts, Concepts And Myths
HOW DOES NAMESERVER WORK?
Nameservers are part of a larger domain called the Domain Name
System (DNS), which acts as a directory for the devices and IP
addresses attached to it.
What nameservers do is use this information to translate domain
names into numerical IP addresses – a language our computers
understand. This process works so fast that it has never been seen.
Just type a URL, nameserver lets your browser know where that
website is, and the page you want loads.

2. Without this system, we will have to type long IP addresses in our
browsers every time we want to open a website. Therefore, the
service provided by nameservers is invaluable. The term
‘nameserver’ can be used to describe any server installed with DNS
software. However, it usually refers to a web hosting server used to
manage client domain names.
Also Read: How does a website work?
REASONS FOR TWO
NAMESERVERS
Usually, there are two nameservers associated with the website.
Why is this important? Yes, domain names use a single nameserver,
known as a primary DNS. However, if there is any problem that
causes your domain to be offline your business will be severely
affected. That is why there are two nameservers associated with
domains. Having two nameservers is accepted as a common backup
requirement to prevent domains from being connected to the
Internet.
Therefore, having two nameservers serves as a website backup.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DNS AND
NAMESERVER
The name DNS stands for Domain Name System, which is a series
of distributed domains to translate domain names into their
corresponding IP addresses. DNS is a standard set of protocols that
allow computers to connect to the Internet. A name server, on the
other hand, is a server where your DNS information is stored for
internet access. It is an integral part of the DNS that helps connect

3. URLs and IP addresses of web servers. The name server connects
your registrar to your hosting service provider.
Each time you type in a web address, send an email or access any
IP application, you use DNS. It is essential for the performance of
almost all Internet Protocol (IP) network applications, from web
browsing to email, multimedia applications, and more. DNS
translates hostnames into IP addresses so web browsers can load
Internet services. Name servers, on the other hand, host or store
these versions. A name server is a server that holds a name record
or a domain name transfer record.
Also Read: Understanding Domain Names – A Complete
Guide
THE IMPORTANCE OF
NAMESERVER
NAMESERVER is the basis of how the internet works. Each time you
type a domain name into your browser, your computer refers to a
NAMESERVER server for the corresponding IP address.
When you type a website domain into your browser, such as
xxxx.com, your computer will use a NAMESERVER server to resolve
the IP address of that website. Once the IP address has been
identified, your computer can contact the web server, which will
give your computer the website you want to access. This is called
Domain Name Resolution.
Nameserver helps people find websites. When someone types your
domain name (your website name) into a search engine, the
nameserver directs traffic to your website. Once the connection has
been made with your server, the request for the files you searched

4. for is made and the results appear on your screen. The whole
process doesn’t matter to users as it takes milliseconds to happen.
In simple words, Nameserver is the location of your website. As the
owner of a retail store should know his address, you should know
your nameserver.
There are many situations in which you will need to know your
nameserver. For example, if you purchased a domain name from a
different registrar than your web hosting platform, you will need to
point that domain at the appropriate location. Or, if you decide to
change web hosting companies, you can redirect your domain name
to the nameservers of your new hosting provider. This way, your
traffic is not disrupted, and you do not have to start in the first
place with a new domain name.
Also Read: Should I Buy Multiple Domain Names And
Extensions?
BENEFITS OF OWNING A
PRIVATE NAMESERVER
Having private domain servers means that they are associated with
a single domain, rather than a hosting company. Here are a few
benefits of having private servers:
 They effectively block your reseller status, allowing you to
rename your hosting under your domain name.
 It makes it easier for customers to memorize your nameservers
if they match your domain.
 It helps to provide an improved sense of security for your
customers, as they will have the same background for your
name servers and website. It makes switching hosting providers
an easy task, as your customers will have no difficulty updating
their servers.

5.  You should also use the same name server as your primary
domain name for your parked domain as well. Parked domains
refer to other domains that are posted to your account, with the
same website as your main domain. Companies that want more
than one advertising web address usually use it.
Most hosting service providers will give you instructions on how to
register your nameservers with your registrar. You will need to have
an IP address for each of the nameservers you find on your host
and their subdomains.
When you complete this setup, the DNS server will work just as well
as your hosting service provider.
Also Read: SUBDOMAINS: What Is It & How Is It Helpful?
HOW TO CHANGE YOUR
EXISTING NAMESERVER?
To change your existing name server, use your hosting account.
1. After logging in, navigate to Domains> My Domains
2. You will then be able to choose the domain you want to use. On
the next screen, click on Nameservers under Manage.
3. From here, you’ll see options for using default nameservers or
Using custom servers.
4. Remember that to use the Hosting client portal to manage DNS
settings, you must select default servers.
Also Read: How Do You Transfer A Domain Name

6. HOW TO SET UP CUSTOM
NAMESERVER?
If you want to use custom nameservers, on the other hand, enter
their names in the fields below. Yes, you will need to set up one or
more servers and be ready to go. If not, you can use the following
method instead.
Now, let`s examine the way to install a brand-new custom
nameserver on your site. For example, in case your domain is
www.example.com, you may create custom nameservers referred
to as w10.example.com and w20.example.com. This alternative is
most customarily used when you have a reseller or VPS account.
Setting up a custom nameserver is a two-step process. First, you
ought to confirm whether or not you’ve got the correct `A records`
in place. If you’ve got a reseller web website hosting account, you`ll
want to create the vital DNS records. If you’ve got a controlled VPS
account with Hosting, you don`t want to feature records, as
they`ve already been installed. However, it`s critical to make
certain that your records are nicely configured.
Once you`ve completed that, you could cross in advance and sign
in the nameservers you`ll want. As before, navigate to the Domains
tab on your client portal, after which click on My Domains. Select
the down arrow subsequent on your domain, and also you must see
a choice to Manage Nameservers.
WHAT HAPPENS WHEN YOU
UPDATE MY NAMESERVERS?
Once you have successfully updated the Nameservers your domain
will start identifying the server you are identifying. However, the
process of updating your DNS server is not fast. This process
usually takes between 8 to 48 hours to complete. This delay is
called DNS Propagation. During DNS distribution, servers around

7. the world receive notifications about the development of your
DNS server.
During this time, you may encounter some unusual issues,
especially those related to the delivery of your email. That is why
we recommend that you update your Nameservers at night or
during the quiet period of your business.
Also Read: How To Migrate WordPress Site From One Host To
Another?
CONCLUSION:
Nameservers play a key role in directing online traffic by helping to
link your domain name to the IP address of your web server.
To do this, they help web browsers and other applications access
DNS records for your domain.

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Source - https://www.hostitsmart.com/blog/what-is-nameserver-
and-what-does-it-do/