TLDServer

TLDServer is a term used to describe a DNS server that is authoritative for a top-level domain (TLD) within the Domain Name System. In the DNS hierarchy, TLD servers are responsible for zone data for a TLD, such as .com, .net, .org or country-code TLDs like .uk or .de. Each TLD server holds the DNS records that define how to delegate authority to second-level domains within that TLD and can respond to queries for hosts under that TLD or for delegations to subordinate zones.

TLD servers are usually operated by registries or contracted operators and are often deployed as anycast to improve resilience and latency. They maintain zone files with NS records that point to the authoritative name servers for subdomains and, when DNSSEC is used, DS records in the parent zone to establish a chain of trust. They rely on glue records at the parent (root or country-code) zone to resolve dependencies when authoritative servers are themselves in different domains.

In practice, a resolver querying a domain like example.com will first contact a DNS server that has knowledge of the .com root zone’s delegation; the .com TLD servers then direct the query to the authoritative servers for example.com. TLD servers thus play a central role in DNS name resolution, security, and global availability.

Note: The term TLDServer is descriptive; actual deployments may refer to the individual authoritative servers for a specific TLD rather than a single universal entity.