Google Cloud Digital Leader Practice Exam

The best description of the Domain Name System (DNS) is that it serves as a directory of domain names and IP addresses. DNS is fundamentally a hierarchical naming system that translates human-readable domain names, like www.example.com, into machine-readable IP addresses, such as 192.0.2.1. This translation is essential because while humans are better at remembering names, computers and networking equipment operate using IP addresses.

By functioning as this directory, DNS allows users to access websites and services using familiar names instead of needing to memorize numerical IP addresses. This capability is vital for the usability of the internet and allows for seamless navigation and access to resources online.

In contrast, the other options refer to different technical concepts unrelated to the primary function of DNS. Data encryption pertains to securing information, physical network devices are tangible hardware used for networking, and methods of file transfer involve protocols for moving files between systems, none of which accurately describe the role or functionality of DNS.