The domain name system (DNS) stores and associates many types of
information with domain names, but most importantly, it translates domain
names (computer hostnames) to IP addresses. It also lists mail exchange
servers accepting e-mail for each domain. In providing a worldwide
keyword-based redirection service, DNS is an essential component of
contemporary Internet use.
Useful for several reasons, the DNS pre-eminently makes it possible to
attach easy-to-remember domain names (such as "dmiwebhosting.com") to
hard-to-remember IP addresses (such as 72.29.84.104). Humans take advantage
of this when they recite URLs and e-mail addresses. In a subsidiary
function, the domain name system makes it possible for people to assign
authoritative names without needing to communicate with a central registrar
each time.
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