Computer Network Basics Questions Long
The purpose of a DNS (Domain Name System) server in a computer network is to translate human-readable domain names into IP (Internet Protocol) addresses.
In a computer network, devices communicate with each other using IP addresses, which are numerical values. However, IP addresses are not easy for humans to remember and use. Therefore, domain names were introduced as a more user-friendly way to identify and access resources on the internet.
When a user enters a domain name (e.g., www.example.com) in a web browser, the DNS server is responsible for resolving that domain name into the corresponding IP address (e.g., 192.0.2.1). This process is known as DNS resolution.
The DNS server acts as a directory or a phone book for the internet, storing a database of domain names and their associated IP addresses. When a DNS query is received, the server checks its database to find the IP address associated with the requested domain name and returns it to the requesting device.
By providing this translation service, DNS servers enable users to access websites, send emails, and perform various network activities using domain names instead of remembering and typing complex IP addresses. DNS servers also play a crucial role in load balancing and fault tolerance by distributing the network traffic across multiple servers and providing redundancy.
Overall, the purpose of a DNS server in a computer network is to facilitate the translation between domain names and IP addresses, making it easier for users to access resources on the internet.