Answer: DNS translates human-readable domain names like www.example.com, into IP addresses like 192.0.2.1, that computers use to identify each other on the network.

Query Initiation

When you enter a domain name (e.g., www.example.com) in your web browser, it initiates a DNS query to translate the domain into an IP address.

Recursive Resolver

The query first reaches a DNS recursive resolver, typically provided by your ISP, which acts as an intermediary to find the IP address.

Root Name Server

If the resolver doesn’t have the IP address cached, which directs the resolver to a Top-Level Domain (TLD) server based on the domain’s extension (.com, .net, etc.).

TLD Server

The TLD server points the resolver to the domain’s authoritative name server.

Authoritative Name Server

This server stores the domain’s IP address and sends it back to the resolver.

Response to Client

The resolver then returns the IP address to your browser, allowing it to establish a connection with the host server.

Conclusion

DNS is a hierarchical and decentralized naming system that efficiently translates domain names into IP addresses, enabling users to access websites without memorizing complex numeric addresses.