The Domain Name System (DNS) acts as the internet’s directory, translating user-friendly domain names, like “domainera.net,” into numerical IP addresses, such as “192.0.2.1,” which computers use to locate and connect to websites and other online resources, effectively bridging the gap between human-readable web addresses and machine-readable network locations. Here’s a simplified explanation:
- Human-Friendly vs. Machine-Friendly:
- We humans use easy-to-remember domain names like “domainera.net” or “example.com.”
- Computers, however, communicate using numerical IP addresses like “172.217.160.142.”
- The Translation:
- DNS bridges this gap. When you type a domain name into your web browser, DNS translates that name into the corresponding IP address.
- This translation process involves querying DNS servers across the internet.
- How it Works:
- When you type in a web address, your computer sends a request to a DNS resolver (often provided by your internet service provider).
- The resolver may already have the IP address cached. If not, it starts querying other DNS servers, eventually finding the authoritative server for the domain.
- The authoritative server provides the IP address, which is then sent back to your computer.
- Then your computer can connect to the website.
In simpler terms: DNS is the system that turns website names into the numerical addresses computers use to find those websites.
