What is DNS?

If you use Internet applications regularly, you have probably used DNS (Domain Name System) without realizing it.

A DNS server translates host names (text) into IP addresses (numbers). For example:

www.microsoft.com > 12.23.34.45

Computers communicate using IP addresses, but names are easier for people to remember.

When you enter a host name into a web browser or other Internet application, a DNS server is queried to obtain the corresponding IP address. If the name cannot be resolved, the connection cannot be established.

DNS servers form a distributed hierarchy that allows organizations around the world to manage their own domains.

Without DNS, users would need to remember numeric IP addresses for every Internet service they use.

The Internet RFC documents 1034 and 1035 give you more details. Happy networking!