Final Answer:
The Domain Name System (DNS) translates internet domain and host names to IP addresses.Thus the correct option is 4.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Domain Name System (DNS) acts as a crucial component of the internet by translating user-friendly domain names into IP addresses, which computers use to communicate with each other. When you type a domain name into a web browser, such as "www.example.com," the DNS server resolves this name into an IP address (e.g., 192.0.2.1) through a series of queries and responses. This process involves hierarchical distributed servers that store and manage domain name records, mapping each domain name to its corresponding IP address.
DNS operates using a distributed database containing various types of records, like A records for IPv4 addresses and AAAA records for IPv6 addresses. To resolve a domain name, your device queries DNS servers starting from the closest one in its network and gradually moving outward until it finds the IP address associated with the requested domain name. This efficient resolution process allows users to access websites and services using easy-to-remember domain names while relying on the underlying IP addresses for actual communication between devices on the internet.
Understanding DNS resolution involves grasping the mechanism of recursive and iterative queries, where a user's device typically engages in a recursive query with its DNS resolver to find the IP address. DNS plays a pivotal role in internet functionality, enabling seamless and intuitive access to online resources by translating human-readable domain names into machine-readable IP addresses. This systematic translation process facilitates efficient data routing across the internet, ensuring smooth and reliable connectivity for users worldwide.Thus the correct option is 4.