What is the role of a DNS server?

The role of a DNS (Domain Name System) server is to translate domain names into IP addresses. This is essential for the functioning of the internet, as humans access websites using domain names like "www.example.com," while computers communicate using IP addresses, such as "192.168.1.1." When a user enters a domain name in a web browser, the DNS server is responsible for resolving that name to the corresponding IP address, allowing the browser to connect to the correct web server.

This process occurs behind the scenes and is fundamental to navigating the internet efficiently. Without DNS servers performing this function, users would have to remember numerical IP addresses for every website they wanted to visit, which would be impractical and cumbersome. Therefore, DNS servers play a critical role in facilitating ease of access to web resources and improving user experience on the internet.