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  1. #1

    All You Need To Know About DNS Propagation

    So you are done with your domain name and launched the website, but still have to wait at least 72 hours before your website can go live? DNS Propagation is the reason behind this delay.
    Only after 72 hours, your website can be visible to everyone on the internet. This propagation is directly related with Internet Service Providers (ISP), and the time it takes cannot be reduced or controlled.

    DNS propagation is an essential process for your website, without which, it can literally do nothing. So you have no other option, but to be patient and wait for completion of this procedure.

    DNS

    DNS is the abbreviation for Domain Name Server. When you buy any domain name from your domain registrar, it creates a master DNS record in their Domain Name Servers. And then, the registrar claims your web host’s DNS server as the supreme authority of your domain.

    Now, if any computer wants to visit your website, it first enters the domain registration database to find the DNS authority of your page and then go to your DNS provider’s server to get the IP address of your domain name. Finally, the computer is redirected to your IP, available on your web host’s servers and sees your website.

    DNS Propagation

    To make surfing faster for users, ISPs cache all of their DNS records and this storage part is known as ‘propagation’.

    The first time you visit any website; the above explained process would be done and recorded. Cache means ISPs read and display websites from their local database ― instead of going to the internet, every time users want to visit that page. This method is same as browsers save pages on your computer to speed up browsing, but on a larger scale.

    So, the propagation’s goal is to boost web surfing in two ways: first, it shortens the return time of the browser that it takes in requesting and getting the answer and secondly, it lessens traffic on the web, thus, enables it to work efficiently.

    Propagation Time

    Thus, the reason your website, after launch, takes so much time clearly is propagation. Each ISP has an automated mechanism of updating and storing DNS records, after fixed periods. So, until the ISPs cache is not updated, it won’t have your website.

    Propagation time is not defined and can take a few hours to days, but 72 hours are considered a standard and no web hosting service or any other medium can mess with this process. Hence, there is no scope of rushing.

    Factors Effecting DNS Propagation:

    TTL Settings

    TTL (time to live) is the time period for which servers cache your DNS records information. For instance, if your TTL is set to one hour, the servers will reserve your DNS information for an hour, and then return to the authoritative server for updated information of your DNS. Shorter TTL settings guarantee quick propagation speed; but increases the number of requests on your authoritative server. This results in delayed processing speed and increased burden on the website.

    ISP (Internet Service Provider)

    The ISP also plays a vital role in slowing down the propagation process. Your ISP stores DNS records for rapid browsing and low traffic on the web. But some ISPs overlook TTL settings and revise cache records ― every two to three days. And until ISPs do not have the information, they can’t do anything.

    Domain Name Registry

    If you change name servers, a change request is shortly sent to the registry which publishes your new authoritative name server, to its root zone. Some registries take no time, but others set high TTL settings in at least48 to 72 hours to protect it from overuse. Ideally, name servers shouldn’t be accumulated, but some ISPs do it anyway ― ultimately adding up to the propagation time.
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  2. #2
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    That's a very nice writeup! Appreciate the time taken

    But I've never had to wait more than hours for any of the domains that I own. The max was 1 hour. Yes, I do agree this depends on the ISP.

    Has anyone ever had to wait 72 hours for the domain to propagate?
    If you steal from one author, it’s plagiarism; if you steal from many, it’s research

  3. #3
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    Quote Originally Posted by subhash View Post
    That's a very nice writeup! Appreciate the time taken

    But I've never had to wait more than hours for any of the domains that I own. The max was 1 hour. Yes, I do agree this depends on the ISP.

    Has anyone ever had to wait 72 hours for the domain to propagate?
    Once. When GoDaddy gave me the wrong name servers and a client's email was down for four days before they finally admitted their mistake and told me the right name servers.

    But no. Usually about ten minutes. Occasionally 4-6 hours.

  4. #4
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    a few years back when origin.com did launch their final site, in Denmark one specific ISP had a big issue.. They cached DNS records for 7 days no matter what the original TTL was.

    This surely caused a problem since origin.com switched it's IP's during the official launch of the site.. every person that was using this ISPs DNS servers was suffering for ~ 5 days that the site wasn't available

    So yes, it happens that people actually experience this

  5. #5
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    Quote Originally Posted by subhash View Post
    That's a very nice writeup! Appreciate the time taken

    But I've never had to wait more than hours for any of the domains that I own. The max was 1 hour. Yes, I do agree this depends on the ISP.
    It depends on what you change and its TTL.

    If you change an A entry but keep the same nameservers, then yes, usually the change is propagated in 30 minutes - 4 hours.

    If you change nameservers for a domain, then the propagation usually needs more time which will be between 4 and 24 hours because the NS TTL usually is configured between 14400 and 86400 seconds.
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  6. #6
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    If you want to know more about DNS, recommend visiting:

    dnsmadeeasy.com/support/faq/

    Tutorials:

    help.dnsmadeeasy.com
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  7. #7
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    Another great video (that was also put out by DNS Made Easy) can be found at http://www.learndns.com

  8. #8
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    Just a quick correction: DNS stands for Domain Name System. But other than that, that's a very helpful article for the most!
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  9. #9
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    Quote Originally Posted by HostNurse View Post
    Only after 72 hours, your website can be visible to everyone on the internet.
    No. The duration of propagation is not fixed to 72 hours and depends on many factors. The reason people mention 24, 48 or even 72 hours is to try and provide a good period of time and expectation for propagation to complete. Basically, wait long enough and it will propagate.

    I see you've elaborated on this further but perhaps this first part needs fixing.

    This propagation is directly related with Internet Service Providers (ISP), and the time it takes cannot be reduced or controlled.
    Not necessarily correct. It depends on more than your ISP. Again I can see you elaborated on this further down but maybe this part needs fixing.

    DNS is the abbreviation for Domain Name Server.
    No it's not

    When you buy any domain name from your domain registrar, it creates a master DNS record in their Domain Name Servers. And then, the registrar claims your web host’s DNS server as the supreme authority of your domain.
    Not necessarily. Registering a domain usually provides you the option to choose default nameservers, but this doesn't guarantee a DNS record is created unless the registrar also offer DNS management. Many hosting providers don't, and the DNS record is only created once an account is made, not when the domain is registered.

    Finally, the computer is redirected to your IP, available on your web host’s servers and sees your website.
    Not strictly true either. The IP is provided/returned but it's not a simple redirect to this IP address. If it were, you'd be able to access the site via IP alone which won't work in cases of Virtual Hosts.

    To make surfing faster for users, ISPs cache all of their DNS records and this storage part is known as ‘propagation’.
    No, this is called caching. "Propagation" in this instance is the act of replicating the record to the rest of the world. Storing the record is not propagation.

    The first time you visit any website; the above explained process would be done and recorded. Cache means ISPs read and display websites from their local database ― instead of going to the internet, every time users want to visit that page. This method is same as browsers save pages on your computer to speed up browsing, but on a larger scale.
    That's correct. You forgot to mention that local machines/devices also cache DNS results for speed.

    Good article but some inconsistencies need to be resolved.

  10. #10
    Join Date
    Jan 2014
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    Thanks for your time to write this topic. Much appreciated.

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