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Non-recursive DNS servers

March 23, 2022 (Wed)  |  By Liche Chishaka  |  In DNS Hosting

What is a Non-recursive DNS server?

By default, BIND resolvers send recursive queries, and by default BIND name servers do the work required to answer them. In the process of finding the answers to recursive queries, the name server builds up a cache of nonauthoritative information from other zones.

In some situations, it's undesirable for name servers to do the extra work required to answer a recursive query or to build up a cache of data. The root name servers are an example of one of these situations. The root name servers are so busy that they can't expend the extra effort necessary to find the answers to recursive queries. Instead, they send a response based only on the authoritative data they have. The response may contain the answer, but it more likely contains a referral to other name servers.

What is a Non-recursive DNS server?

By default, BIND resolvers send recursive queries, and by default BIND name servers do the work required to answer them. In the process of finding the answers to recursive queries, the name server builds up a cache of nonauthoritative information from other zones.

In some situations, it's undesirable for name servers to do the extra work required to answer a recursive query or to build up a cache of data. The root name servers are an example of one of these situations. The root name servers are so busy that they can't expend the extra effort necessary to find the answers to recursive queries. Instead, they send a response based only on the authoritative data they have. The response may contain the answer, but it more likely contains a referral to other name servers.