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Networking Fundamentals · Intermediate

Iterative DNS Query

A DNS query in which the server returns the best answer it has, often a referral to another server, rather than resolving fully.

Definition

Recursive resolvers use iterative queries when walking the hierarchy: the root refers them to the TLD servers, which refer them to the authoritative servers. Authoritative servers usually answer only iterative queries.

Example

A resolver asks a .com TLD server about example.com and gets a referral to example.com's name servers.

Exam tip

Iterative = "go ask that server"; recursive = "get me the final answer."

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