2024
The Domain Name System (DNS) is a hierarchical and distributed naming system for computers, services, and other resources in the Internet or other Internet Protocol (IP) networks. It associates various information with domain names (identification strings) assigned to each of the associated entities. Most prominently, it translates readily memorized domain names to the numerical IP addresses needed for locating and identifying computer services and devices with the underlying network protocols. The Domain Name System has been an essential component of the functionality of the Internet since 1985.
Domain Name System resolvers can erroneously perform DNS lookups associated with private-use IP addresses, which generates a significant amount of undesirable Internet traffic. To combat this, a number of "blackhole" or "sinkhole" DNS servers exist to capture this traffic and reduce the load of DNS lookups.
Using terminal commands, I sent myself one of the two black holes operated by the IANA, the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority. Once using the dig command, with which my domain, malteoing.de, was sent to the two end points, and once using the traceroute command, which documents the exact route from the starting point to the black hole. The black holes are located in Indianapolis, Indiana.