Table of contents

• How does the AWS Route 53 service work?

• Creating a Hosted Zone:

• Adding DNS Records

• Configuring DNS Routing

• Conclusion:

Route 53 is the GPS for the internet. When you type a website address into your browser, like www.example.com, Route 53 is the system that figures out where that website is located and directs your request to the right place.

1. Domain Name System (DNS): Just like how you remember your friend's name instead of their phone number, Route 53 helps your computer remember website names (like www.example.com) instead of their actual numeric addresses on the internet.

2. Routing Traffic: Route 53 decides how internet traffic should reach its destination. It's like the air traffic controller for the internet, ensuring your request for a website gets to the correct server that hosts that website.

3. Scalability and Reliability: Route 53 is designed to handle a massive number of requests and ensure that even if one server is busy, your request gets rerouted to the best available option. It's like a traffic cop managing the flow of cars on a busy intersection.

4. Global Reach: Route 53 has servers located all around the world. This means that when you type a website address, it directs you to the nearest server, making the process faster and more efficient. It's like having local guides everywhere you go.

Before going deep into understanding Amazon Route 53, We should be aware of some useful terminologies :

Internet Protocol (IP): It is a numerical label assigned to devices and used by computers to identify each other on a network.

Domain Registrars: When you want to own a specific domain name, you register it through a domain registrar. Registrars facilitate the process of acquiring, renewing, and transferring domain names. Popular domain registrars include GoDaddy, Namecheap, and Google Domains.

Root server: Root servers are DNS nameservers that operate in the root zone. These servers can directly answer queries for records stored or cached within the root zone, and they can also refer other requests to the appropriate Top Level Domain (TLD) server.

Top Level Domain: The TLD servers are the DNS server group one step below root servers in the DNS hierarchy, and they are an integral part of resolving DNS queries. Ex: .com, .net, .in and .org.

How does the AWS Route 53 service work?

1. The domain name is first registered with AWS Route 53 or any Domain registrar, which is then configured to route Internet traffic to the servers hosting the domain name.
2. End-users enter the domain name or the complete URL into the browser search bar.
3. The ISP routes the request to a DNS resolver, a tool that converts the domain name into its IP address.
4. The DNS resolver then forwards the user request to a DNS root name server, which is then directed to its Top Level Domain (TLD) server and ultimately, to AWS Route 53.
5. The Route 53 authoritative name server returns the IP address of the domain name to the DNS resolver.
6. Now that the DNS resolver has the required IP address, it can forward the user request to the appropriate server hosting the content as per the configurations of the AWS Route 53 service.

Amazon Route 53, AWS's robust Domain Name System (DNS) service, plays a pivotal role in creating hosted zones, managing DNS records, and orchestrating DNS routing. In this comprehensive guide, we will delve into the intricacies of these key components, shedding light on the steps to establish a resilient and well-organized web infrastructure.

Creating a Hosted Zone:

Understanding Hosted Zones:

A hosted zone is the foundational element for DNS management. It serves as a container for DNS records, allowing you to organize and control the DNS settings for a specific domain. Let's explore the step-by-step process of creating a hosted zone with Amazon Route 53.

1. Login to AWS Console:

   • Navigate to the AWS Management Console and log in to your AWS account.

2. Access Route 53:

   • In the AWS Console, locate the "Services" dropdown and select "Route 53" under "Networking & Content Delivery."

3. Create Hosted Zone:

   • Click on "Create Hosted Zone."

   • Enter your domain name (e.g., example.com).

   • The system will generate DNS name servers automatically.

4. Configuration Options:

   • Optionally configure settings such as comment, private hosted zone, and tags.

5. Create the Hosted Zone:

   • Click on "Create" to finalize the creation of the hosted zone.

Adding DNS Records

Unveiling the World of DNS Records:

DNS records are the entries within a hosted zone that direct traffic to specific locations on the internet. Let's explore how to add and manage DNS records within a hosted zone.

1. Access the Hosted Zone:

   • In the Route 53 console, find and select the newly created hosted zone.

2. Create Record Set:

   • Click on "Create Record Set."

   • Enter details such as the name, type (A, CNAME, MX, etc.), and value for the DNS record.

3. Set TTL and Additional Settings:

   • Configure the Time-to-Live (TTL) and other relevant settings.

   • Save the record set.

4. Repeat for Additional Records:

   • Repeat the process for any additional records needed for your domain (e.g., mail servers, aliases).

Configuring DNS Routing

Mastering Traffic Management:

DNS routing, or traffic management, enables you to control how requests to your domain are directed. Amazon Route 53 provides various routing policies to optimize performance and enhance availability.

1. Navigate to Traffic Management:

   • In the Route 53 console, access the "Traffic Management" section.

2. Create Traffic Policy:

   • Click on "Create Traffic Policy."

   • Define the routing policy based on your requirements (e.g., weighted, latency-based, geolocation).

3. Create Record Sets:

   • Establish record sets for each endpoint or resource you want to route traffic to.

4. Associate Policy with Record Sets:

   • Link the traffic policy with the appropriate record sets to implement the desired routing logic.

5. Save Changes:

   • Save the changes to activate the DNS routing configuration.

Conclusion:

In conclusion, the creation of hosted zones, management of DNS records, and implementation of DNS routing with Amazon Route 53 form the backbone of a resilient and high-performance web infrastructure. By following these detailed steps, you can harness the power of AWS's robust DNS service to ensure seamless domain management and optimized traffic routing for your applications and websites. Whether you are a seasoned cloud professional or a newcomer to AWS, mastering these essential components is key to navigating the cloud with confidence and efficiency.

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Written by

Ali masiu zama

Cloud & DevOps Engineer | Kubernetes | AWS | Ansible | GIT | Terraform | Gitlab | Docker | Python