CompTIA Network+ Practice Test

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Prepare for the CompTIA Network+ Exam with interactive quizzes, flashcards, and detailed explanations. Enhance your networking knowledge and ace your certification test with confidence!

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Which of the following describes the primary function of a DNS server?

Assigning IP addresses
Controlling web traffic
Translating domain names to IP addresses
Enforcing security protocols

The correct answer is: Translating domain names to IP addresses

The primary function of a DNS (Domain Name System) server is translating domain names to IP addresses. When a user enters a domain name into a web browser, the DNS server is responsible for resolving that name to its corresponding IP address, which allows the browser to locate and connect to the relevant web server. This process is essential for the functionality of the internet, as computers and networking devices communicate using IP addresses rather than human-readable domain names. Without this translation service provided by DNS servers, users would need to remember complex numerical addresses to access websites, making navigation of the web much more cumbersome. The other options describe functions that are not directly related to the primary role of a DNS server. Assigning IP addresses is typically managed by DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol) servers. Controlling web traffic involves various networking devices and technologies, such as load balancers and firewalls, rather than DNS servers specifically. Enforcing security protocols can involve several mechanisms and services, including firewalls and intrusion detection systems, rather than core DNS functions. Thus, the focus of a DNS server is clearly on the translation task, which underpins the network's usability and accessibility.