What does DNS stand for and what is it?

DNS stands for Domain Name System. 

 

DNS is how domain names are translated into IP addresses, and DNS also controls email delivery.  DNS is what allows you to use your web browser to find web sites as well as send and receive email. 

 

DNS makes it possible for us to use easy to remember domain names in place of complex IP addresses (gracechurch.com instead of 209.61.148.168). 

 

DNS is sort of like the white pages directory of the internet - when you enter a domain name into your internet browser, DNS does the directory lookup to find out which server that domain is pointed to and what it's IP address is and then it responds by displaying the site you requested.