# Module 3: Domain Name System (DNS)

## Introduction

The domain name system (DNS) tells your domain name what hosting account to connect to. An example of a DNS would be ns1webhostingforstudents.net and ns2webhostingforstudents.net.

When you get a hosting account it will tell you the DNS for the server. Then you would add these DNS settings to your domain name with your domain name registrar.

## Lecture Topics

- What DNS Does
- Updating the DNS for a Domain Name
- What is DNS Propagation
- Domain Name Provider
- Hosting Provider

## Slides

Domain Name System (DNS) - Web Hosting Curriculum

## Practice

- Purchase a domain name and hosting account to use for this course. (We recommend [Web Hosting for Students](/content/site-root.html)).
- Point the domain name DNS to your hosting account
- Login to your hosting control panel and look around the control panel
- Figure out how to open a support ticket
- Try accessing your site using the IP address or temporary URL (if provided)

## Assessment

- Successfully configure a domain name and hosting account. You may have already done this in the practice.
- Diagram how DNS works in relation to IP address, Domain Names, Hosting Servers and visitors to websites.