What does a DNS server do?

A DNS (Domain Name System) server plays a fundamental role in the functioning of the internet by translating human-friendly domain names, such as www.example.com, into machine-readable IP addresses, like 192.0.2.1. This translation is essential because, while users prefer to access websites using easy-to-remember names, the underlying network infrastructure relies on IP addresses to identify and locate servers.

When a user types a domain name into their browser, the DNS server responds with the corresponding IP address, enabling the browser to initiate a connection to the correct web server. This process is crucial for navigating the internet effectively, as it allows users to interact with web services without needing to memorize complex numeric addresses.

The other choices provided do not accurately describe the primary function of a DNS server. While enhancing video streaming quality, managing user authentication, and routing network traffic are important aspects of network operations and services, they fall under different categories. Enhancing streaming quality involves factors like bandwidth management and content delivery networks rather than DNS functions. Similarly, user authentication usually occurs through dedicated services that validate user credentials, and routing network traffic is handled by routers and switches that operate at a different layer of the network architecture. Thus, the role of the DNS server is specific and