What is the function of DNS in a network?

The function of DNS (Domain Name System) in a network is to translate domain names into IP addresses. This process is crucial because humans typically find it easier to remember and use domain names (like www.example.com) instead of numeric IP addresses (such as 192.0.2.1). When a user enters a domain name in their web browser, DNS translates that name into the corresponding IP address, allowing the browser to locate and connect to the correct server hosting the website.

DNS acts as a distributed database that stores hostname and address mappings, facilitating the resolution of domain names to IP addresses every time a user wants to access a website. This system is essential for the functionality of the internet, enabling efficient navigation and connectivity.

Other functions, like assigning IP addresses or performing network routing, are managed by different systems: DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) handles IP address assignment, while routers take care of directing data packets through the network. Network security does involve several protocols and practices, but securing connections is not a direct function of DNS. Thus, the primary role of DNS lies in its ability to simplify the process of finding servers and services on the internet by translating user-friendly names into machine-readable IP addresses.