Domain Name System (DNS)

The Domain Name System, or DNS, translates domain names into information computers use to locate services on the internet. When someone enters a business website address, DNS records help direct the request to the appropriate server or network service. Other records can help route email and verify domain ownership. DNS is not the same as buying a domain or purchasing web hosting: it is the naming and lookup system connecting those pieces. Incorrect changes can interrupt a site's availability or business email, and updates may take time to propagate through caches. Owners should preserve existing records and understand their purpose before changing DNS settings.