google and yahoo use multiple servers usually, when you do a dns request
it transfers you to the least busy server.
This is a secondary dns server transferring to the least busy server. The primary entry google.com is registered.
The list is maintained by Network solutions. Usually some DNS server somewhere along the road resolves google.com to it's IP.
you can get the ip quickly by resolving it with a ping request
gman24]$ ping google.com
PING google.com (216.239.37.99) 56(84) bytes of data.
You can also watch packets when you connect to it.
On linux you can use dig
gman24]$ dig google.com
; <<>> DiG 9.2.2-P3 <<>> google.com
;; global options: printcmd
;; Got answer:
;; ->>HEADER<<- opcode: QUERY, status: NOERROR, id: 27879
;; flags: qr rd ra; QUERY: 1, ANSWER: 3, AUTHORITY: 4, ADDITIONAL: 4
;; QUESTION SECTION:
;google.com. IN A
;; ANSWER SECTION:
google.com. 48 IN A 216.239.39.99
google.com. 48 IN A 216.239.37.99
google.com. 48 IN A 216.239.57.99
;; AUTHORITY SECTION:
google.com. 123475 IN NS ns1.google.com.
google.com. 123475 IN NS ns2.google.com.
google.com. 123475 IN NS ns3.google.com.
google.com. 123475 IN NS ns4.google.com.
;; ADDITIONAL SECTION:
ns1.google.com. 104682 IN A 216.239.32.10
ns2.google.com. 129415 IN A 216.239.34.10
ns3.google.com. 143265 IN A 216.239.36.10
ns4.google.com. 109653 IN A 216.239.38.10
;; Query time: 71 msec
;; SERVER: 204.117.214.10#53(204.117.214.10)
;; WHEN: Sun Jul 4 14:10:17 2004
;; MSG SIZE rcvd: 212
You can also use whois
$ whois google.com
[Querying whois.internic.net]
[Redirected to whois.alldomains.com]
[Querying whois.alldomains.com]
[whois.alldomains.com]
Alldomains.com - The Leader in Corporate Domain Management
----------------------------------------------------------
For Global Domain Consolidation, Research & Intelligence,
and Enterprise DNS, go to:
www.alldomains.com/corp/
----------------------------------------------------------
The Data in Alldomains.com's WHOIS database is provided by Alldomains.com
for information purposes, and to assist persons in obtaining information
about or related to a domain name registration record. Alldomains.com
does not guarantee its accuracy. By submitting a WHOIS query, you agree
that you will use this Data only for lawful purposes and that, under no
circumstances will you use this Data to: (1) allow, enable, or otherwise
support the transmission of mass unsolicited, commercial advertising or
solicitations via e-mail (spam); or (2) enable high volume, automated,
electronic processes that apply to Alldomains.com (or its systems).
Alldomains.com reserves the right to modify these terms at any time.
By submitting this query, you agree to abide by this policy.
Registrant:
Google Inc.
(DOM-258879)
2400 E. Bayshore Pkwy
Mountain View
CA
94043
US
Domain Name: google.com
Registrar Name: Alldomains.com
Registrar Whois: whois.alldomains.com
Registrar Homepage:
http://www.alldomains.com
Administrative Contact:
DNS Admin
(NIC-1340142)
Google Inc.
2400 E. Bayshore Pkwy
Mountain View
CA
94043
US
dns-admin@google.com
+1.6503300100
Fax- +1.6506181499
Technical Contact, Zone Contact:
DNS Admin
(NIC-1340144)
Google Inc.
2400 E. Bayshore Pkwy
Mountain View
CA
94043
US
dns-admin@google.com
+1.6503300100
Fax- +1.6506181499
Created on..............: 1997-Sep-15.
Expires on..............: 2011-Sep-14.
Record last updated on..: 2003-Apr-07 10:42:46.
Domain servers in listed order:
NS3.GOOGLE.COM 216.239.36.10
NS4.GOOGLE.COM 216.239.38.10
NS1.GOOGLE.COM 216.239.32.10
NS2.GOOGLE.COM 216.239.34.10
Alldomains.com - The Leader in Corporate Domain Management
----------------------------------------------------------
For Global Domain Consolidation, Research & Intelligence,
and Enterprise DNS, go to:
www.alldomains.com/corp/
----------------------------------------------------------
..............................................................
If your asking how it is resolved it uses a dns nameserver.
Network solutions is the company that keeps the main domain list. This list is usually mirrored.
http://www.networksolutions.com/en_US/
many companies work with Network solutions, that's why you can register from other compainies not just Network solutions.