Managed DNS Basic FAQ

Q:  What is Managed DNS?
A:  Short for Domain Name System (or Service), DNS is an Internet service that translates domain names into IP addresses. Because domain names are alphabetic, they're easier to remember. The Internet, however, is actually based on IP addresses. Each time you use a domain name, therefore, a DNS service must translate the name into the corresponding IP address.

Q:  Why do I need Managed DNS?
A:  LoadDNS is a carrier-class directory service that helps to accurately distribute traffic to your website. If your potential customers cannot see your website, you lose traffic, revenue, and potential relationships. LoadDNS also helps you distribute content quickly. When you update your LoadDNS account, the change is propagated throughout our network of servers allowing you to reach customers within a matter of minutes as opposed to the typical 24- to 48-hour timeframe.

Q:  Is LoadDNS hard to set up?
A:  No. Once you register with LoadDNS, our easy-to-use administrative system makes setting up additional servers easy. LoadDNS's web interface is designed to take the mystery out of adding and editing your records. For most situations, all you need to know are two items--your domain name and its IP address.

Q:  Do I need additional hardware or software for LoadDNS?
A:  LoadDNS is web-based so all you need is a browser connected to the Internet and you're ready to go.

Q:  Is LoadDNS right for me?
A:  If you own a website, use e-mail at your own domain name, host websites, or manage services for your clients, LoadDNS is the perfect solution for you. Improve your DNS reliability and increase your DNS infrastructure without additional hardware or software expenditures. LoadDNS gives you full control and the ability to make changes and updates at Internet speed.

Q:  Does LoadDNS allow the use of DNS wildcards?
A:  While LoadDNS can certainly handle wildcards, we request that customers please take a few minutes, think their DNS needs through, and modify their DNS entries accordingly.

Q:  If I use LoadDNS, do I need to list you as the Technical Contact?
A:  No. Your records are meant to be handled and controlled by you. With LoadDNS, you have control of your DNS entries. List yourself as the technical contact; otherwise, you miss the whole point of outsourcing your DNS.

Q:  Managed DNS is based on DNS queries. What is a DNS query?
A:  When an Internet client needs to look up a name used in a program, it queries DNS servers to resolve the name. Each query message the client sends contains three pieces of information, specifying a question for the server to answer:

• A specified DNS domain name, stated as a fully qualified domain name (FQDN)
• A specified query type, which can either specify a resource record by type or a specialized type of query operation
• A specified class for the DNS domain name

DNS queries resolve in a number of different ways. A client can sometimes answer a query locally using cached information obtained from a previous query. The DNS server can use its own cache of resource record information to answer a query. A DNS server can also query or contact other DNS servers on behalf of the requesting client to fully resolve the name, then send an answer back to the client. This process is known as recursion.

In addition, the client itself can attempt to contact additional DNS servers to resolve a name. When a client does so, it uses separate and additional queries based on referral answers from servers. This process is known as iteration.

In general, the DNS query process occurs in two parts:

• A name query begins at a client computer and is passed to a resolver, the DNS Client service, for resolution.
• When the query cannot be resolved locally, DNS servers can be queried as needed to resolve the name.

Q:  Do I have to transfer my domain name to Load just to use DNS service?
A:  No, you do not have to transfer your domain name to Load in order to use our DNS service.

Q:  How many nameservers do you operate?
A:  We currently operate more than twenty nameservers on four different networks in different geographic locations around the world.

Q:  How long does LoadDNS take to propagate changes made to my DNS records?
A:  All changes with LoadDNS occur in real-time and are published to all servers on the network within fifteen (15) minutes.

Q:  How do I make changes to my DNS information?
A:  To make changes to your DNS settings, just login to the Load Control Panel, select the LoadDNS service, and choose the domain name you wish to edit. Use your web browser to change existing information or create new entries.