The Domain Name System (DNS) is the foundation of internet navigation, facilitating internet communication and providing a way to map human-readable domain names to IP addresses. Explore the core technologies of the DNS as a primary component of the internet's infrastructure. Learn about the origin of the DNS, its key components and how it works – including server types and the website resolution process.

This visualization takes you behind the scenes of the DNS resolution process, matching domain names to their corresponding IP addresses step-by-step, from typing a domain name into a browser, through the server communication system, to the content appearing on your screen.

The glossary offers plain-language explanations of important DNS-related terms and makes the ecosystem more comprehensible for newcomers and experts alike. This sortable resource includes common technology, security, governance and policy-related words and phrases, including common acronyms used across the industry.