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What is an Authoritative DNS Server?

Authoritative Domain Name Servers (DNS) are computers that contain a database of public IP addresses and their associated hostnames and serve to resolve or translate those names to IP addresses as requested. . They are often the targets of DDoS attacks as overwhelming this server can render many, many websites inaccessible. In the broader DNS infrastructure, Authoritative DNS servers resolve the connection between IP and domain name for Recursive DNS servers, which store, or cache, that information until it needs to be updated or refreshed.

Authoritative DNS servers are susceptible to DDoS attacks directly against them. In such a scenario, they are overwhelmed and taken offline, leading to website and service outages.

Authoritative vs. Recursive DNS Servers

While authoritative DNS servers store the most up-to-date information regarding domains and the range of associated IPs, acting as directories for web addresses, recursive DNS servers act as resolvers, interacting with end users and performing DNS lookups on their behalf. A recursive server reads a DNS request submitted by a user and responds with cached data from the authoritative server. Cached DNS data is stored until a timeout determined by the authoritative server expires. Caching DNS records on recursive servers allows for far greater scalability of the system and can greatly improve load times for iterative queries.

How To Configure an Authoritative DNS Server for a Domain

There are some key steps to take in order to ensure the proper configuration of your authoritative DNS servers for your domain. Luckily, DNS providers handle many of the technical aspects of this process. Some key steps include:

  • Choosing your DNS software to make sure you have an adequate platform to run on your DNS servers.
  • Installing and configuring DNS software on your server or virtual machine, set up with the correct settings for security, logging, and more.
  • Creating DNS zone files to ensure each domain has all necessary DNS records and authoritative servers to facilitate them.
  • Define Start of Authority (SOA) records in each zone file to provide necessary configuration details for name servers.
  • Configure your Name Server (NS) records to specify the hostnames of your authoritative servers.
  • Verify connectivity to ensure all areas of DNS are configured properly.

Much of this can be done with the help of your DNS software provider and the documentation they provide. For troubleshooting, it is recommended to work with your providers to ensure the best guidance is received.

Importance of Authoritative DNS Servers

Authoritative DNS servers are an imperative component of the core function of the Internet. They house official records of domain names and IP addresses to ensure that IP addresses and domain names are connected properly, providing seamless browsing. They also provide:

  • Internet Speed: Network speeds improve thanks to reduced traffic via cached DNS records.
  • Security: Authoritative name servers safeguard the integrity and authenticity of DNS records, making it harder for unauthorized entities to modify DNS records or perform other DNS-related attacks.
  • Control and Customization: Authoritative DNS can enable companies to control and customize the browsing experience on their enterprise network, providing additional security and controls to keep employees focused and networks safe.

How NETSCOUT Helps Protect Authoritative DNS Servers

NETSCOUT offers comprehensive DNS DDoS protection for the most complex networks. Maintain uptime by protecting against these malicious attacks that flood your authoritative DNS servers with illegitimate traffic, overwhelming them and bringing them offline. Without proper DDoS protection to defend your DNS infrastructure, you risk having key services and domains unavailable to users, risking reputation damage and lost revenue.