In this article, I delve into the intricacies of the Domain Name System (DNS), drawing from my extensive experience in online computer information sharing since 1977. DNS is a pivotal system that translates human-readable domain names into numerical IP addresses, facilitating computer-to-computer communication on the internet. Before DNS’s inception, accessing websites or servers was cumbersome, requiring individuals to remember IP addresses or rely on static tables. I reflect on the early days of online communication, highlighting my creation, Access-80, one of the pioneering Bulletin Board Systems. During that era, the DNS concept was in its infancy, and communication was primarily through IP addresses. With the introduction of DNS in the 1980s, accessing websites became more streamlined, eliminating the need to recall IP addresses. Today, DNS stands as a cornerstone of the internet, ensuring swift and easy access to websites and servers. This article underscores the evolution of technology, emphasizing the significance of DNS in our current digital age.
DNS 101: What DNS Is and Why DNS is Essential for the Internet
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