What Are Nameservers?
What Are Nameservers?
Nameservers are specialized servers that are part of the Domain Name System (DNS). Their job is to translate human-readable domain names (like example.com) into the IP addresses that computers use to communicate. When someone types your domain into their browser, nameservers are the first stop in the journey to finding your website.
How Nameservers Work
Every domain name is assigned at least two nameservers. Here’s what happens when a visitor tries to reach your site:
- The visitor types your domain into their browser.
- The browser queries the DNS system, which checks which nameservers are authoritative for your domain.
- The nameservers respond with the DNS records (A record, CNAME, MX, etc.) that tell the browser where to find your website or email server.
- The browser connects to the IP address provided and loads your website.
Nameservers essentially act as the directory that tells the internet where to find everything associated with your domain.
What Do Nameservers Look Like?
Nameservers are typically formatted as subdomains, for example:
ns1.example-hosting.com
ns2.example-hosting.com
You usually get at least two nameservers for redundancy — if one goes down, the other continues to serve DNS queries.
Why Nameservers Matter
- They connect your domain to your hosting. Without correct nameservers, visitors won’t be able to find your website.
- They control your DNS records. Whichever nameservers your domain points to will manage your A records, MX records, CNAME records, and more.
- They affect email delivery. MX records hosted on your nameservers determine where your emails are routed.
When to Change Your Nameservers
You may need to update your nameservers when:
- You purchase hosting from a different provider than where your domain is registered.
- You switch hosting providers and need to point your domain to a new server.
- You start using a CDN or DNS management service like Cloudflare.
How to Change Nameservers
- Log in to your domain registrar’s control panel (e.g., your 10Corp account).
- Navigate to your domain’s DNS or nameserver settings.
- Replace the existing nameservers with the ones provided by your hosting company.
- Save the changes.
Note: Nameserver changes can take 24–48 hours to propagate worldwide, though they often take effect much sooner.
Nameservers vs. DNS Records
| Concept | Purpose |
|---|---|
| Nameservers | Determine which server controls your domain’s DNS records |
| DNS Records | The individual entries (A, MX, CNAME, etc.) that map your domain to specific services |
Changing your nameservers changes where all your DNS records are managed. Editing individual DNS records lets you control specific services without changing nameservers.
Summary
Nameservers are the backbone of how the internet finds your website. They point your domain to the correct server and manage your DNS records. Ensuring your nameservers are correctly configured is essential for your website, email, and all domain-related services to function properly.