What is DNS resolve?

DNS resolve (DNS resolution) is the process of converting a domain name into an IP address using DNS.

In simpler terms: DNS resolve is the moment when the computer finds out a site's IP address from its name.

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#What "resolving a name" means

When you type in the browser:

example.com

the computer does not know where this site is located. It has to resolve the name, that is, answer the question:

"What IP address corresponds to this domain name?"

This process is called DNS resolve.

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#How DNS resolve happens (step by step, simply)

1. The application (browser) wants to open a site
2. It starts DNS resolve
3. The system reaches out to DNS:

• first it checks the local cache
• then the DNS server

4. DNS returns the IP address
5. The application connects to the server by IP

Only after DNS resolve does the actual network connection begin.

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#What takes part in DNS resolve

The process can involve:

• the browser cache
• the operating system cache
• a recursive DNS server
• authoritative DNS servers

But for an interview, the main point is: DNS resolve = domain name -> IP address.

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#A common point of confusion

DNS resolve is not:

• loading a site
• an HTTP request
• transferring data

DNS resolve is a preparatory step that only answers the question of "where to connect".

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#Real-life example

DNS resolve is like:

• finding a phone number by a name in your contacts
• only after that can you actually call

The name is the domain The number is the IP address

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#Short interview answer

Remember this formulation:

DNS resolve is the process of resolving a domain name, in which DNS is used to convert a site's name into the corresponding IP address needed to establish a network connection.