Route53 Basics

In this article, we explore AWS Route 53, a fully managed domain name service designed to simplify DNS management and domain registration.

Route 53 offers several key functions:

1. It serves as a domain registrar. You can purchase domain names directly—similar to platforms like GoDaddy or Namecheap. For instance, if you want to register a domain such as kodekloud.com, you can do so through Route 53.
2. It provides comprehensive DNS record management through a user-friendly console.
3. It is a global service, ensuring your DNS management is not constrained by any specific AWS region.

Hosted Zones and Domain Management

A fundamental concept in Route 53 is the hosted zone. When you want Route 53 to manage the DNS for your domain—say, kodekloud.com—you create a hosted zone. Think of a hosted zone as a container that stores all the DNS records and rules associated with a particular domain.

Each time you create a hosted zone, AWS automatically assigns four dedicated name servers to that zone. This process is repeated for every domain you manage. For example, if you register another domain such as fastcars.com, a unique hosted zone is created with its own set of four name servers to handle DNS record management.

Summary

AWS Route 53 is a globally available DNS management service that functions both as a domain registrar and as a comprehensive DNS record manager. By using hosted zones, Route 53 ensures that each domain has dedicated name servers and specific rules tailored to its DNS requirements. This integration of domain registration and DNS management makes Route 53 a powerful tool for maintaining efficient and reliable web presence.