What is the primary function of DNS?

• A. To encrypt domain names
• B. A system that stores information associated with domain names in a distributed database to provide name-resolution services
• C. To log network events
• D. To manage user passwords

Answer: (B)

DNS exists to translate human-friendly domain names into the IP addresses computers use to connect to resources on the network. It acts as a distributed database of domain name records, organized hierarchically, that provides name-resolution services so devices can locate the correct destination for a given name. When you look up a domain, your resolver queries root, TLD, and authoritative servers to retrieve the associated IP address and return it to your application. While DNS can carry other records like MX for mail or CNAME aliases, its primary function is mapping names to addresses. The other options describe encryption, logging, or password management, which are not the main role of DNS.