Information Technology Specialist (ITS) Cybersecurity Practice Exam

Which component of a network is responsible for translating domain names into IP addresses?

1. Router

2. Switch

3. DNS server

4. Firewall

The correct answer is: DNS server

The component responsible for translating domain names into IP addresses is the DNS server. The Domain Name System (DNS) serves as a crucial component of the internet’s functionality, enabling users to access websites using easy-to-remember domain names instead of numeric IP addresses. When a user types a domain name into a web browser, the DNS server performs the resolution process, querying its database or other DNS servers to find the corresponding IP address associated with that domain. This translation process is essential for web browsing, as it allows users to navigate online without needing to remember complex numerical addresses. The DNS server operates like a phone book for the internet, ensuring that users can easily reach the intended resources or hosts. Other components of a network have different functions. For example, a router directs traffic between different networks and devices, managing data packets but not translating domain names. A switch connects devices within a single network, enabling communication but also lacking the capability to resolve domain names. A firewall provides security by monitoring and controlling incoming and outgoing network traffic based on predetermined security rules, but it does not handle the resolution of domain names.