The Domain Name System (DNS) is a distributed database system that provides hostname-to-IP resource mapping (usually the IP address) and other information for computers on an internetwork. Any computer on the Internet can use a DNS server to locate any other computer on the Internet.
DNS is made up of two distinct components, the hierarchy and the name service. The DNS hierarchy specifies the structure, naming conventions, and delegation of authority in the DNS service. The DNS name service provides the actual name-to-address mapping mechanism.
For more information, see: