Hello Dev, welcome to our detailed guide on how to find hosting name server. Whether you’re starting a new website or moving your existing one to a different hosting provider, it’s important to know the name servers associated with your server. In this article, we’ll explain what name servers are, how to find them, and answer some frequently asked questions. Let’s dive in!
Table of Contents
- What Are Name Servers?
- Why Do You Need to Know Your Name Servers?
- How to Find Your Hosting Name Servers
- How to Change Your Hosting Name Servers
- FAQ
What Are Name Servers?
Name servers (NS) are part of the domain name system (DNS) and are responsible for translating domain names into their corresponding IP addresses. In simpler terms, name servers help computers identify the location of a website. When you type a domain name into your browser, your computer sends a request to the name server associated with that domain name, which then returns the corresponding IP address where the website is hosted. Without name servers, the internet wouldn’t work as we know it.
How Do Name Servers Work?
When you purchase a domain name, you’re essentially buying the right to use that name for a certain period of time (usually a year). However, domain names by themselves are useless without being linked to a web server that stores the files necessary to display a website.
This is where name servers come in. When you sign up for a hosting service, the provider will assign you a set of name servers that are associated with your web server. You then need to tell your domain name registrar what those name servers are, so they can link your domain name to your server. Once this is done, anyone can access your website by typing your domain name into their browser, and the name server will do the rest of the work to show them your site.
Why Do You Need to Know Your Name Servers?
As a website owner or administrator, it’s important to know your name servers for several reasons:
- You need to know your name servers to link your domain name to your server, so people can access your website.
- Knowing your name servers can help you troubleshoot any issues related to DNS or hosting.
- If you decide to change hosting providers, you’ll need to update your name servers with your new provider.
How to Find Your Hosting Name Servers
Now that we’ve covered what name servers are and why you need to know them, let’s look at how to find your hosting name servers. There are several ways to do this, depending on your hosting provider and the tools they offer. Here are four methods:
Method 1: Check Your Welcome Email
When you sign up for hosting, your provider will usually send you a welcome email that contains all the information you need to get started, including your name servers. Check your email inbox (and spam folder) for an email from your hosting provider with the subject line “Welcome to [HOSTING COMPANY NAME]”. The name servers should be listed somewhere in the email.
Method 2: Contact Your Hosting Provider
If you can’t find the name servers in your welcome email or control panel, contact your hosting provider’s support team and ask them to provide you with the information. They should be able to give you the name servers over the phone, by email, or through a support ticket system.
Method 3: Use a Domain Name Lookup Tool
If your domain name is already registered, you can use a domain name lookup tool to find your name servers. There are many free and paid tools available online, such as ICANN WHOIS, Whois.net, and DomainTools. To use these tools, simply enter your domain name in the search field and look for the “Name Servers” or “DNS” section of the results.
Method 4: Use the Command Line
If you’re familiar with the command line on your computer or server, you can use the “nslookup” command to find your name servers. Here’s how:
Step |
Command |
Output |
|---|---|---|
Step 1 |
Open your command line interface (e.g. Terminal on macOS, Command Prompt on Windows) |
n/a |
Step 2 |
Type “nslookup” and press Enter |
n/a |
Step 3 |
Type your domain name and press Enter |
The default server name and IP address |
Step 4 |
Type “set q=NS” and press Enter |
The list of name servers associated with your domain name |
Step 5 |
Type “exit” to close the nslookup tool |
n/a |
Using one of these methods should help you find your hosting name servers. Once you have this information, you can move on to linking your domain name to your server (if you haven’t already) or troubleshooting any issues related to DNS.
How to Change Your Hosting Name Servers
If you need to change your hosting name servers for any reason (e.g. switching hosting providers), you’ll need to update the DNS records for your domain name. Here’s how to do it:
Step 1: Log in to Your Domain Registrar
The first step is to log in to your domain registrar account (where you purchased your domain name). Look for a section called “DNS” or “Name Servers”. Different registrars may have different interfaces, but the basic steps are the same.
Step 2: Update Your Name Servers
Once you’re in the DNS or Name Servers section, you’ll see a list of your current name servers (if any). To update them, simply replace the existing name servers with the new ones provided by your hosting provider. Make sure to save the changes before leaving the page.
Step 3: Wait for the Changes to Propagate
After you’ve updated your name servers, it can take up to 48 hours for the changes to propagate across the internet. During this time, some people may be able to access your website using the old name servers, while others will use the new ones. Eventually, all traffic will be directed to the new name servers.
FAQ
Q1: What if I Can’t Find My Hosting Name Servers?
A: If you can’t find your hosting name servers using any of the methods described above, contact your hosting provider’s support team and ask them for assistance. They should be able to give you the information you need.
Q2: Can I Use Different Name Servers for Different Subdomains?
A: Yes, you can use different name servers for different subdomains (e.g. subdomain.example.com). This is known as “delegating” the subdomain to a different DNS server. You can usually do this through your domain registrar’s control panel.
Q3: What Happens If My Name Servers Go Down?
A: If your name servers go down (e.g. due to a server outage or DNS attack), your website will be inaccessible to anyone trying to access it using your domain name. To avoid this situation, it’s a good idea to use at least two name servers (provided by different hosting providers) and to monitor their uptime regularly.
Q4: Can I Change My Name Servers Without Changing My Hosting Provider?
A: Yes, you can change your name servers without changing your hosting provider. To do this, simply update the DNS records for your domain name (as described in the previous section) with the new name server information provided by your new hosting provider. Once the changes have propagated across the internet, your website will be hosted on the new server.
Q5: What Are Some Common Name Server Providers?
A: Some common name server providers include Google Cloud DNS, Amazon Route 53, Cloudflare DNS, and OpenDNS. However, most hosting providers offer their own name servers that are included with their hosting packages.
We hope this article has been helpful in explaining what name servers are, why they’re important, and how to find them. If you have any further questions or topics you’d like us to cover, feel free to leave a comment below!