DNS Caching and Propagation Delay

The seamless functioning of the internet heavily relies on DNS (Domain Name System). DNS converts domain names into IP addresses, which are essential for accessing websites and services.

However, sometimes we face DNS-related issues, such as receiving different results from nslookup commands. In this blog, we will understand why these issues occur and how to resolve them, using detailed explanations and real-life comparisons.

What is DNS Caching?

DNS caching is a process where DNS queries and responses are temporarily stored in memory (cache). When you access a website, your computer or local network DNS server caches the response. The next time you make the same request, you get the cached response quickly.

Real-Life Comparison

Imagine you are trying to find the address of a friend’s house. The first time you look it up, you write it down in your notebook (cache). The next time you visit, you simply refer to your notebook instead of looking it up again. This saves time and effort. Similarly, DNS caching saves time by storing responses to DNS queries.