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| Domain Name Server (DNS). Pictorial representation of how the Internet is connected. (Credit: istockphoto) |
✅ What Is a Domain Name Server?
A Domain Name Server translates human-readable domain names (like `example.com`) into IP addresses (like `192.0.2.1`) that computers use to identify each other on the network.
Example
When you type `www.scholarzone.com.ng` into your browser:
1. The DNS server looks up that name.
2. It finds the corresponding IP address.
3. It returns the IP address to your browser.
4. Your browser connects to that IP to load the site.
Types of DNS Servers
1. Recursive Resolver– Usually operated by your ISP or a third party (e.g. Google DNS, Cloudflare). It finds the IP address for you.
2. Root Name Server– The top of the DNS hierarchy.
3. TLD Name Server – Handles domains like `.com`, `.net`, `.org`.
4. Authoritative Name Server – Has the actual DNS records (like A, CNAME) for the domain.
🌍 Common Public DNS Providers
| Provider | DNS Address |
| | |
| Google DNS | `8.8.8.8` and `8.8.4.4` |
| Cloudflare | `1.1.1.1` and `1.0.0.1` |
| OpenDNS | `208.67.222.222` and `208.67.220.220` |
Would you like help changing your DNS, choosing the fastest one for your area, or understanding DNS errors?
A TLD name server (Top-Level Domain name server) is part of the DNS hierarchy and is responsible for handling the last part of a domain name, like:
`.com`
`.org`
`.ng`
`.edu`
`.gov`
`.uk`, etc.
🔗 How TLD Name Servers Fit into DNS Resolution:
Here’s a simple breakdown of the DNS lookup process and where the TLD name server fits in:
1. You type`www.scholarzone.com.ng` into your browser.
2. Your computer asks the root name server:
“Who handles `.com.ng` domains?”
3. The root server replies with the address of the TLD name server for `.com.ng`.
4. Your computer then asks the `.com.ng` TLD name server:
“Where can I find `scholarzone.com.ng`?”
5. The TLD name server replies with the authoritative name server for `scholarzone.com.ng`.
6. Your computer asks the authoritative name server:
“What is the IP address of `www.scholarzone.com.ng`?”
7. The authoritative name server replies with the IP address, and your browser loads the site.
🔍 Examples of TLD Name Servers
Each TLD (.com, .org, .ng, etc.) has its own set of TLD servers, managed by organizations like:
Verisign→ manages `.com` and `.net`
Public Interest Registry (PIR)→ manages `.org`
NIRA (Nigeria Internet Registration Association) → manages `.ng`
🧠 Summary
TLD name servers know which authoritative servers are responsible for each domain name under a specific TLD.
They do not give the IP address directly, but point you to the authoritative DNS server that does.
Would you like to see a real-life lookup example or learn how to view this process yourself?
NIRA stands for the Nigeria Internet Registration Association.
🇳🇬 What is NIRA?
NIRA is the official body responsible for managing Nigeria's country code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD), which is `.ng`.
📌 Key Responsibilities of NIRA:
1. Manage and regulate the `.ng` domain name space.
2. Accredit registrars (companies that sell .ng domains).
3. Set policies for domain registration under `.ng`.
4. Promote local hosting and the use of Nigerian domain names.
5. Handle dispute resolution related to .ng domains.
🧱 Structure of `.ng` Domains
Some common `.ng` domain extensions include:
| Extension | Purpose |
| | |
| `.ng` | Commercial or general use |
| `.com.ng` | Commercial businesses |
| `.org.ng` | Non-profit organizations |
| `.gov.ng` | Nigerian government entities |
| `.edu.ng` | Educational institutions |
| `.name.ng` | Personal names or profiles |
| `.net.ng` | Network infrastructure |
| `.sch.ng` | Primary and secondary schools |
| `.mil.ng` | Military institutions |
🛒 Want to Register a .ng Domain?
You can't register directly through NIRA, but you can register through a NIRA-accredited registrar such as:
Whogohost
Upperlink
SmartWeb
Registeram
You can find the full list on their official website: [https://www.nira.org.ng](https://www.nira.org.ng)
Would you like help choosing a domain or finding the best registrar?
Great! Let's use the domain `www.scholarzone.com.ng` as an example to explain how DNS and NIRA work in practice.
🧠 Step-by-Step Breakdown:
1. Top-Level Domain:
`.ng` — This is Nigeria's country code Top-Level Domain (ccTLD).
Managed by NIRA (Nigeria Internet Registration Association).
2. Second-Level Domain:
`.com.ng` — A domain category under `.ng` meant for commercial entities operating in Nigeria.
3. Domain Name:
`scholarzone` — This is the actual name registered by the owner.
Registered through a NIRA-accredited registrar, such as Whogohost or Upperlink.
4. Full Domain:
`www.scholarzone.com.ng` — This is the full web address (URL) users type into their browser.
🌍 How NIRA Is Involved:
When someone visits `www.scholarzone.com.ng`:
The browser looks up `.ng`domain name servers, managed by NIRA.
Then, it queries the `.com.ng` TLD servers, also under NIRA's control.
These servers point to the authoritative name server for scholarzone.com.ng, which holds the actual IP address of the website.
Finally, the site loads.
🔍 Example Domain Info (As of now)
| Detail | Info (If Active) |
| ------------------- | -------------------------------------- |
| Domain name | `scholarzone.com.ng` |
| TLD | `.ng` |
| Managed by | NIRA |
| Registrar (Example) | Could be Whogohost, Upperlink, etc. |
| Purpose | Likely educational or academic services |
| Hosting | Could be local or international provider |
> ✅ You can check live status of a `.ng` domain via NIRA’s WHOIS lookup:
Would you like me to check if `scholarzone.com.ng`is currently active, guide you on registering a similar domain?
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