Saturday, February 22, 2025
1:24 PM
There are several types of DNS servers globally, and their numbers vary
depending on the category:
1. Root DNS Servers
• There are 13 root DNS server clusters worldwide, labeled from A to M.
• These are operated by different organizations (e.g., Verisign, ICANN, NASA).
• Though only 13 root server addresses exist, they are distributed across 1,600
+ physical servers globally using Anycast technology.
2. Top-Level Domain (TLD) Servers
• Every TLD (e.g., .com, .org, .net, .uk, etc.) has its own TLD name servers.
• There are thousands of TLD servers worldwide, managed by registries like
Verisign (.com), PIR (.org), and country-code authorities.
3. Authoritative DNS Servers
• These belong to organizations and web hosting providers.
• Every domain has an authoritative DNS server that provides its IP address.
• There are millions of authoritative DNS servers worldwide.
4. Recursive DNS Resolvers
• These are operated by ISPs, Google (8.8.8.8), Cloudflare (1.1.1.1), OpenDNS,
etc.
• There are tens of thousands of recursive resolvers that help users resolve
domain names.
Total DNS Servers
• The exact number is constantly changing but is in the millions, considering
all categories.
• Root servers are few but critical, while recursive and authoritative DNS
servers are widely distributed across the internet.
As of February 2025, the DNS root server system comprises 1903 instances
operated by 12 independent organizations.
root-servers.org
These root servers are strategically distributed worldwide to enhance redundancy
and reduce latency. While the original 13 root servers (labeled A through M) were
primarily located in the United States and a few other countries, the adoption of
Anycast routing has allowed each server to have multiple instances across the
globe. This ensures that DNS queries are resolved efficiently, regardless of the
user's location.
For a visual representation of the global distribution of these root server
instances, you can refer to the map provided by APNIC.
apnic.net
Additionally, the Packet Clearing House offers an interactive map detailing root
nameserver locations, allowing users to explore specific server sites and their
operators.
pch.net
These resources provide comprehensive insights into the geographical spread and
operational details of DNS root servers worldwide.