DNS stands for Domain Name System. It is a foundational technology of the Internet that translates human-friendly domain names (like www.example.com) into machine-readable IP addresses (such as 192.0.2.1).
How DNS Works
• When you type a domain name into your web browser, DNS servers translate that name into the corresponding IP address needed to locate and connect to the correct web server.
• This process is similar to how a phonebook or a contact list matches names to phone numbers, making it easier for users to access websites without memorizing complex numerical addresses.
Why DNS Matters
• Every device on the Internet has a unique IP address, but remembering these numbers is impractical for users. DNS allows people to use easy-to-remember domain names instead.
• DNS is hierarchical and distributed, meaning it is managed by a network of servers worldwide, ensuring reliability and scalability as the Internet grows.
• It is essential for accessing websites, sending emails, and virtually all other online activities that require domain name resolution.
Key Functions
• Name Resolution: Converts domain names to IP addresses so browsers can load Internet resources.
• Distributed Management: DNS is structured so that different organizations can manage their own domains, with the system delegating authority for each subdomain.
• Performance and Flexibility: DNS can direct users to the nearest or fastest server, which is crucial for content delivery networks and cloud services.