Google Cloud Digital Leader Practice Exam

How does the Domain Name System (DNS) primarily function?

1. By managing network traffic

2. By mapping domain names to IP addresses

3. By encrypting data packets

4. By controlling access to resources

The correct answer is: By mapping domain names to IP addresses

The Domain Name System (DNS) primarily functions by mapping domain names to IP addresses. This is a critical service on the internet as it translates user-friendly domain names, which people use to access websites, into the numerical IP addresses that computers use to identify each other on the network. When a user types a domain name into their browser, DNS servers are queried, and they respond with the corresponding IP address, allowing the user's device to initiate a connection to the desired server. This mapping process enables users to navigate the internet using easy-to-remember names instead of having to recall numerical addresses, which are much harder to manage and remember. This is why DNS is often referred to as the "phonebook of the internet." Understanding this primary function helps in grasping the fundamental workings of how web traffic is directed over the internet.