What does Forward DNS do?

Forward DNS is primarily responsible for mapping domain names to their corresponding IP addresses. This process is essential for the functioning of the internet as it enables users to access websites using human-readable domain names rather than needing to remember complex numerical IP addresses. When a user types a domain name into their browser, the DNS server performs a forward lookup to find and return the associated IP address, allowing the browser to connect to the correct server and retrieve the requested web content.

This function is fundamental to the hierarchical and decentralized nature of DNS, ensuring that users can easily navigate the web. Forward DNS is distinct from other DNS functionalities, such as resolving IP addresses when the domain name is known, logging queries to the DNS server for analysis or troubleshooting, or redirecting traffic based on predefined rules, which are not part of the core purpose of forward DNS.