Final answer:
The part of a web address that usually requires a name resolution service such as DNS is the host location or domain name. The protocol type is fixed by web standards, and the file path is a specific resource within the website, neither need name resolution. The host location translates human-readable domain names to numerical IP addresses to load websites.
Step-by-step explanation:
In the context of a web address, or Uniform Resource Locator (URL), the part that usually depends on a name resolution service is the host location, also known as the domain name. The URL is broken down into several parts: the protocol type (e.g., HTTP, HTTPS), the host location (domain name), and the file path (specific pages or files on the website).
The protocol type is predetermined by the web standards and the type of connection. The file path is determined by the structure of the requested resource within the host's server. However, the host location is an alphanumeric address which humans can read, like 'example.com', this needs to be translated into an IP address that networking equipment can understand. This translation is performed by a name resolution service such as the Domain Name System (DNS).
Therefore, when typing a web address, the DNS servers act as the internet's phonebook, translating the domain names into IP addresses so browsers can load the requested resources. Without this service, users would have to remember and enter numerical IP addresses for each website they wish to visit, which isn't practical. The DNS makes using the internet much more user-friendly by allowing us to use domain names instead.