What does a Domain Name Server (DNS) do?

A Domain Name Server (DNS) plays a crucial role in the functioning of the internet by translating user-friendly domain names, like www.example.com, into numerical IP addresses that computers use to identify each other. This translation is essential because, while humans find it easier to remember names, computers and network devices need to reference exact numerical addresses to locate resources on the internet.

When a user enters a domain name into their browser, a request is sent to a DNS server, which looks up the corresponding IP address and returns it to the user's device. This process allows browsers to locate and connect to the appropriate web server hosting the desired website, enabling the retrieval of web pages and content.

The other options do not accurately describe the function of a DNS. Splitting data into packets is performed by protocols like TCP/IP, passing data over a physical network involves the networking equipment that transmits signals across cables and connections, and creating virtual networks is related to software-defined networking and network infrastructure rather than domain name resolution.