When an iterative query cannot be resolved from local data, the query needs to be escalated to a root DNS server.

• A. True
• B. False
• C. Not sure
• D. It depends

Answer: (B)

Iterative resolution works by following referrals step by step rather than having a single server do the full lookup. When a DNS server can’t answer from local data, it returns a referral to another server that is closer to the authoritative source. The resolver then queries that next server, and the process continues through the hierarchy until an answer is obtained or failure occurs. Root servers come into play only as part of that referral chain, and they’re not automatically the target after a local data miss in the iterative flow. In contrast, a recursive query is the path where a single resolver performs the entire lookup on behalf of the client, starting at the root if needed and returning the final answer. So the statement is false because escalating to the root server is not the defined step in iterative resolution.