WHAT IS A DNS SERVER?
A DNS server (Domain Name System server) is a core internet service that translates human-friendly website names like google.com into IP addresses like 142.251.12.101 that computers use to find each other on the network.
Instead of remembering numbers, we remember names.
Name → IP address = website loads.
KEY FUNCTIONS OF A DNS SERVER
1) Name Resolution
Converts domain names into IP addresses so browsers know where to connect.
2) Traffic Direction
Helps route users to the nearest or healthiest server (used in CDNs and load balancing).
3) Service Discovery
Locates services like email servers, APIs, and internal systems.
4) Caching
Stores recent DNS results to speed up access and reduce network load.
5) Security Support
Can block malicious domains and support features like DNS filtering and DNSSEC.
WHY IS A DNS SERVER IMPORTANT?
✔️ Makes the internet usable for humans
✔️ Improves website speed and reliability
✔️ Enables email, web apps, and cloud services
✔️ Critical for both public internet and internal networks
If DNS fails, websites may be online, but unreachable.
COMMON DNS SERVER EXAMPLES
Public DNS (e.g. ISP DNS, Google DNS, Cloud DNS)
Internal/Private DNS (used in companies and data centers)
Local DNS (home routers, firewalls)
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