Figment

.....but is a DNS the same as a nameserver?

chiark

Assuming you're not referring to WINS nameservers, then yes. There are a few strategies for name resolution, and the most common is to use DNS as it works.

It is possible to use a caching DNS with DHCP to provide a local name resolution service based on DNS that works - I use dnsmasq on my ipcop machine for this.

Cheers,
Nick.

Figment

Not referring to WINS.

ISP has provided "nameserver" details, with an IP and a dot delimited name. Elsewhere in the destructions they refer to DNS. I kinda guessed they were one and the same, so am I right in saying I can enter the nameserver details into my internet connection DNS fields?

chiark

Yes.

As an aside, if you're talking about a hosting ISP, then you'll need to use the names of their DNS with your domain name registration entry.

If you're talking about an ISP that provides connectivity, use the IP address in your DNS.

To be honest, you shouldn't need all this as DHCP (which allocates your IP address) will give your DNS settings.

Cheers,
Nick.

Figment

ISP A hosts the domain.

ISP B provides connectivity.

I have ISP A nameserver details entered in the connection DNS fields.

zhastaph

If you don't mind me adding my tuppence worth ...

DNS and nameservers are not technically the same, although some people may refer to DNS as 'nameserver', which would complicate matters.

As chiark quite rightly says, you'd need the ISP's nameservers when registering a domain name.

A DNS server is used to reslove the IP Address of a domain name, eg www.scoobynet.co.uk would go off to a DNS server and return it's IP Address. This IP Address would then be used to contact the hosting server of the web site. The name of the website would then be passed to the hosts nameservers which would provide the appropriate website (I think) or not, if they don't actually host it.

Hence the only time you need the IP Address of a nameserver is when you are registering a new domain name against a website (this much I do know ).

As far as concerns your internet connection, as again chiark says, when you connect to it, these details will automatically be fed into your computer through DHCP. The only times that this will not apply are the times that you are not directly connected, for example through Microsoft ICS, in this case you'll need to manually assign DNS to your local NIC. I'd normally run winipcfg at the connected computer to skank the IP's of the DNS it's currently using.

Dougster

domain namespace
The naming scheme that provides the hierarchical structure for the DNS database.

Domain Name System (DNS)
A general-purpose distributed, replicated, data-query service used primarily on the Internet and on private Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP) networks for translating host names into Internet addresses.

For everyone else that 'aint got a clue what you're on about!!

P1Fanatic

DNS server is really a generic term for any server involved in the DNS process. A server that specifically resolves dns names to IP addresses is usually termed a resolver and they normally cache requests to cut down on queries to the nameservers that actually host the zone files.

Simon.