DNS (Domain Name System) is often called the "phonebook of the internet". When you type a website address like www.example.com into your browser, DNS translates this human-friendly name into a machine-readable IP address (like 192.0.2.1) that computers use to locate the website's server.

Think of it this way: domain names are easy-to-remember labels, while IP addresses are the precise numerical locations. Without DNS, you would need to memorize complex number sequences for every site you visit.

Here's how the DNS lookup process typically works:

• Query: Your computer asks a recursive DNS resolver (usually provided by your ISP) for the IP address.
• Root & TLD Servers: The resolver queries root servers, then Top-Level Domain (TLD) servers (.com, .org, etc.).
• Authoritative Nameservers: These servers, often managed by your hosting provider, hold the actual DNS records for your domain.
• Response: The IP address is returned to your browser, which then connects to the web server.

When setting up hosting, you'll configure DNS records. Key types include:

• A Record: Maps a domain to an IPv4 address.
• AAAA Record: Maps a domain to an IPv6 address.
• CNAME Record: Alias of one name to another (like www to the root domain).
• MX Record: Directs email to your mail servers.

DNS changes take time to propagate globally—anywhere from a few minutes to 48 hours. This delay occurs because DNS information is cached by servers worldwide to improve speed. Understanding DNS helps you manage your website's accessibility and troubleshoot connection issues effectively.