Simple Explanation of DNS

DNS stands for the Domain Name System. Name servers are the cornerstone to this system, acting like a phone directory for the internet.

Computers on the internet are connected by sets of numbers called IP addresses, for example, 192.0.2.1. While you see that this web site is www.imarc.net, your computer see it as the number, 70.86.111.4.

• IP numbers are too hard for people to remember. I prefer Google.com over 216.239.57.99
• Computers like IP numbers much better than names.
• DNS connects to two transparently – allowing people to use names and computers to use numbers.

If IP addresses are like phone numbers, DNS is the directory assistance that tells your computer the IP number for a domain name.

When you look at www.imarc.net, your browser asks a DNS “what’s the number for www.imarc.net?”
DNS answers “70.86.111.4” and your browser connects to 70.86.111.4.