Description: Host name resolution is the process by which a domain name or host name is translated into an IP address, which is how devices on a network identify and communicate with each other. This process is fundamental to the functioning of the Internet, as it allows users to access websites and online services using easy-to-remember names instead of having to remember numerical sequences. Name resolution is primarily carried out through the Domain Name System (DNS), which acts as a distributed database that stores information about domain names and their corresponding IP addresses. When a user enters a domain name into their browser, a query is sent to the DNS server, which looks up the associated IP address and returns it to the browser, thus allowing the connection to the corresponding web server. This process not only facilitates web browsing but is also essential for the functioning of other network services, such as email and file transfer, where host names are used to identify servers and devices on the network.
Examples: A practical example of host name resolution is when a user types ‘www.example.com’ into their browser. The browser sends a query to the DNS server to obtain the corresponding IP address, which could be ‘192.0.2.1’. Another example is the use of host names in local networks, where a device can be identified by a name like ‘file-server.local’ instead of its IP address.
