Networking Beginner

What is DNS Propagation?

The time it takes for DNS record changes to spread across all DNS servers worldwide, typically taking up to 48 hours.

When DNS records are updated, the changes must propagate through the global DNS system. Each DNS server caches records for the duration of their TTL (Time To Live). Until the old cached records expire, some users may see old values.

Propagation time depends on the TTL value — lower TTL means faster propagation but more DNS queries. Before making critical changes, reduce TTL in advance. Tools like whatsmydns.org check propagation status globally.

Related Terms

A numbered endpoint (0-65535) that identifies specific processes or services on a networked computer for communication.

A protocol that automatically assigns IP addresses and network configuration to devices on a network.

A device or software that distributes network traffic across multiple servers to ensure reliability and performance.

A formatted unit of data carried over a network, containing headers with routing information and a payload with the actual data.

ARP (Address Resolution Protocol)

A protocol that maps IP addresses to physical MAC addresses on a local network segment.

A network communication method that sends data to multiple recipients simultaneously without duplicating packets for each recipient.

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