Difference between DNS and DHCP

DNS and DHCP are both client-server architectures, but they are not the same thing. DNS maps the domain names to IP addresses, whereas DHCP is a mechanism that allocates the IP addresses to hosts in a network, either statically or dynamically. DHCP is also used to connect the DNS server to the host.

In this article, you will learn about the difference between DNS and DHCP. But before discussing the differences, you must know about DNS and DHCP, with their advantages and disadvantages.

What is DNS?

DNS is an abbreviation for "Domain Name System". DNS is a naming system that is hierarchical and decentralized for computer systems and other resources that are linked to the internet or a private network. It links various data bits to domain names that are unique to each participant.

DNS translates domain names into numerical IP addresses, which are used to locate and identify system services and devices via the underlying network protocols. It changes and maps alphabetic domain names to numeric IP addresses for computer systems and servers. It may also be utilized to reverse the procedure. It employs the User Datagram Protocol (UDP), and its service uses port number 53.

How does DNS work?

When a user inputs a URL into a browser, the request is transmitted to the DNS server rather than the Google server. These servers utilize a lookup table to identify whether the answer is stored on the computer system's cache. If not, it forwards the request to the proper servers so that the appropriate information is displayed on the user's web browser. It uses two DNS servers for this purpose, and these are the Primary and Secondary servers.

Advantages and Disadvantages of DNS

There are various advantages and disadvantages of DNS. Some advantages and disadvantages of DNS are as follows:

Advantages

Internet Speed

One of the most important advantages of DNS is its ability to provide high-speed internet connections. Individuals and organizations usually use this speed.

IP address Conversion

Users may categorize and archive search terms using DNS servers instead of remembering IP addresses. When a domain name is given to a search engine, it is transformed into an IP address. As a result, you no longer require memorizing the IP address for each site you usually visit.

Internet Dependency

Users and businesses cannot function without the internet, which has become an integral part of our daily lives. The DNS server simplifies internet access by memorizing all IP addresses.

Stability

The IP address of a website may vary for various reasons. As a result, users are required to be up to date with this information. It may be a time-consuming task. However, the DNS system regularly updates IP addresses so that users may avoid unnecessary effort.

Security

Some DNS servers are created for security purposes. Whenever hackers attempt to attack the servers, their attempts are stopped before they can reach your systems. However, you also require extra security precautions if the organization is huge and contains a lot of sensitive information.

Disadvantages

DNS Attacks

The DNS attack is one of the main issues that DNS faces. Here, the legitimate DNS address is swapped out for a fake one to redirect consumers to phoney websites.

Registry Control

ICANN is responsible for the DNS registry. It means that no other organizations can control them. It is a non-profit organization that was founded in a single country.

Server Breakdown

When the DNS server fails, the World Wide Web goes down with it. If the server crashes, the link to the local network will get disconnected, making it impossible for clients to reach them.

Troubleshooting

DNS problems are typically difficult to resolve and may occur due to their geographical and scattered nature.

Client Information's

DNS queries often don't carry information about the client that started name resolution. As a result, the server-side can identify DNS servers' IP addresses, and hackers may manipulate them.

What is DHCP?

DHCP is an abbreviation for "Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol". The DHCP is a network protocol for IP networks that uses client-server architecture to allocate IP addresses and other communication settings to networked systems. It contains information like the computer's IP address and subnet mask, the router's IP address, and the name server's IP address. It employs UDP port 67 as the destination server and UDP port 68 as the client.

DHCP protocol includes two components that are a protocol and a mechanism. The protocol is primarily utilized to transfer host-specific configuration data from a DHCP server to the host. The mechanism is utilized for allocating network addresses to the various hosts. All that is needed for DHCP to configure a host swiftly is a defined range of IP addresses on the DHCP server, and the host contacts the DHCP server and requests address information when it becomes active.

The DHCP server selects an address and assigns it to the host. However, these addresses are leased for a specific length of time. The host may contact the DHCP server and request for the lease to be renewed when it expires. This leasing technique is quite useful for locating non-working hosts that have been moved or turned off. DHCP can be utilized on a wide range of networks, including small home networks, large university networks, and regional ISP networks. A lot of routers and home gateways feature DHCP server functionality.

Advantages and Disadvantages of DHCP

There are various advantages and disadvantages of DHCP. Some advantages and disadvantages of DHCP are as follows:

Advantages

1. It assigns IP addresses to request clients automatically and is straightforward to implement. As a result, the time required to configure IP addresses manually may be decreased.
2. A network administrator may configure a network remotely using the DHCP protocol.
3. It doesn't need any extra cost for implementation.
4. It supports different scopes, such as multicast scope, super scope, etc.
5. IP address duplication or incorrect assignment is avoided by using DHCP. Therefore, there is no possibility of IP address conflicts.

Disadvantages

1. It might be a single point of failure in networks with only one configured DHCP server.
2. The user is not able to connect to the network without a DHCP server.
3. Because DHCP servers do not provide a secure user authentication method, any new user may join the network. Various security problems occur, like unauthorized clients depleting IP addresses and unauthorized clients receiving IP addresses.
4. The system name remains unchanged when a new IP address is assigned to a system.
5. Devices must be able to support DHCP setups. The connected device will also fail if the network's DHCP server fails.

Key Differences between DNS and DHCP

There are various key differences between DNS and DHCP. Some of the key differences between DNS and DHCP are as follows:

1. DNS is utilized to resolve and recursively resolve the host's name to address or address to name. In contrast, DHCP is utilized to allocate addresses to hosts in the network either statically or dynamically.
2. The DNS server is responsible for getting the queries via the user and responding back with the answers. In contrast, the DHCP protocol is responsible for allocating temporary addresses to user systems for a set period of time and then extending the lease as required.
3. DNS has a certain hierarchy that does not allow storing all domain names in one place but divides them into subdomains and then stores the specific piece of information on a specific server. As a result, it is decentralized. In contrast, a DHCP server configures IP addresses for users from an IP addresses pool and centrally manages all operations. A DHCP server utilizes a router to accept DHCP broadcasts and transmit them to it if it is not directly connected to the users.
4. DNS may support both TCP and UDP protocols. In contrast, DHCP only supports UDP.
5. DNS is a decentralized system. In contrast, DHCP is a centralized system.
6. DNS protocol utilizes port number 53. In contrast, DHCP protocol could either use port number 67 or 68.
7. You don't require remembering the IP address with the help of DNS protocol. In contrast, DHCP protocol is a reliable IP configuration.

Head-to-head comparison between DNS and DHCP

Here, you will learn the head-to-head comparisons between DNS and DHCP. The main differences between DNS and DHCP are as follows:

Conclusion

DHCP and DNS protocol are both technologies designed for the ease of network and internet users and administrators. For casual users, the DNS protocol eliminated the requirement to remember complex IP addresses. In contrast, DHCP protocol simplified the time-consuming process of manually setting systems in a network; nowadays, everything is automatic and fast.