What is the purpose of DNS?

The purpose of DNS, or Domain Name System, is to translate human-readable domain names, such as www.example.com, into machine-readable IP addresses, like 192.0.2.1. This translation is crucial because, while humans find it easier to remember names, computers communicate using numerical addresses. DNS serves as the internet's directory service, allowing users to access websites and other resources more conveniently by utilizing names instead of having to memorize IP addresses. This system operates through a hierarchical structure of servers that efficiently facilitate these translations, enabling seamless navigation across the internet.

The other options, while related to network functions, do not accurately describe the primary role of DNS. For instance, managing host server configurations refers to administrative tasks, whereas encrypting transmitted data is the role of different protocols, such as SSL/TLS. Establishing secure connections also pertains to specific security protocols rather than the main function of DNS.