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Primary DNS vs Secondary DNS

WHAT IS IT ?

  • The web address you type in your browser's navigation bar, before you can view a Web page, your system must contact a DNS or Domain Name System.

  • A server that will match the Web address you typed to four sets of numbers that make up the site's Internet Protocol address.

  • The browser will use these numbers to locate the site's Web server.

  • Your Internet Service Provider will use a primary DNS server and a secondary DNS server as a backup.

  • They are DNS server computers where the domain name is saved.

  • The information is identical on both DNS servers. The values for these two DNS's are configured by the Internet Service Provider (ISP). 

  • The secondary DNS acts as backup for the Primary DNS in case the Primary DNS does not work. 

123.176.37.37

192.168.1.7

googe.com

139.130.4.5

googe.com

183.82.97.61

192.168.1.1

183.82.96.1

ISP

Secondary DNS Server

Internet

Secondary DNS Server

123.176.37.38

Every computer connected to the internet is configured with a list of servers which is automatically filled in by your ISP. 

How to find Primary and Secondary DNS server:

  • You can find both DNS server addresses on your PC using the command.

  • Press "Win-R," > type "cmd" > Enter.

  • Type "ipconfig /all " at the command prompt > Enter.

  • Look for the field labeled "DNS Servers." The first address is the primary DNS server, and the next address is the secondary DNS server.

Primary DNS server

Secondary DNS server

Type ipconfig /all in cmd

Difference between a primary DNS server and Secondary DNS server:

Primary DNS Server

Secondary DNS Server

  • It is authoritative server for the zone.

  • It is the backup DNS Server.

  • It is the read-only copy of the DNA record.

  • It is the read/write copy of the DNS database.

  • Sends information to the secondary server.

  • Receives data from the primary server automatically.

  • There can be up to 225 secondary DNS server.

  • One DNS server can have only one primary DNS server.

  • Responsible for creating, updating and maintaining zone file.

  • Neither creates and update zone file.

  • Anyone can change the DNS server of a connected computer into router IP in control panel.

  • But internally it searches the store IP address in the chase.

  • If the router does not find it forwards the domain name into primary DNS server provided by Internet Service Provider (ISP).

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