What is the function of DNS in networking?

The function of DNS, or Domain Name System, in networking is to translate human-readable domain names (such as www.example.com) into machine-readable IP addresses (such as 192.0.2.1). This translation is crucial because while humans find it easier to remember names, computers communicate using numeric IP addresses. When a user enters a domain name in a web browser, DNS servers query to get the associated IP address, allowing the browser to connect to the correct server and retrieve the requested web page.

This function of DNS is foundational to the functionality of the internet. Without DNS, users would be required to know the numerical IP addresses of each website they wanted to visit, which would be impractical and user-unfriendly. By efficiently managing and resolving these names, DNS streamlines the browsing experience and is vital for normal internet operations. The other options listed refer to different functions that DNS does not perform. For example, assigning IP addresses is typically the function of DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), while enforcing security protocols and monitoring network performance involve different networking technologies and practices unrelated to the primary role of DNS.