Preparation

Read textbook section 4.4: "Case study: The Internet Domain Name System (DNS)".

As you read, think about the following:

• What is the benefit of a recursive query?
• What are the benefits of DNS's hierarchical design? Are there any drawbacks?
• Who should control the DNS root server?

Question for Recitation

Before you come to this recitation, you'll turn in a brief answer to the following questions (really—we don't need more than a sentence or so for each question). Your TA will be in touch about exactly how to turn that in.

• What is the purpose of DNS?
• How does it work?
• Why was it designed to work that way?