What is a Name Server?

A name server is a directory of domain names attached to IP addresses. Think of it like a phone book where you would look up the name of the company or person and the number to call is listed.

Name servers are the means through which the DNS can function:

• You type www.hightrees.org into your web browser.
• Your computer uses the DNS to locate and retrieve the name servers that contain www.hightrees.org
• The DNS requests these name servers to provide the IP Address attached to www.example.com – this is the part that is like a phone book: the name server looks in its database to find the number that’s under that name.
• The name server responds by providing your computer with the IP address.

At this point, your computer will contact a web server, which in turn will send your browser the requested page.