What does DNS stand for?

The correct answer is "Domain Name System." DNS is a fundamental component of the internet's infrastructure that translates human-readable domain names, like www.example.com, into machine-readable IP addresses, such as 192.0.2.1. This translation is crucial because while users prefer to remember names, computers use IP addresses to identify each other on the network.

The term 'system' in Domain Name System indicates a structured public database that categorizes and manages the mapping of domain names to IP addresses, involving a hierarchy of servers that communicate with each other. This structure allows for efficient resolution of domain names and enhances the manageability of domain names across the vast expanse of the internet.

Other options provided, while they contain elements that sound familiar, either misrepresent the DNS function or do not accurately encapsulate what DNS is. The emphasis on "system" in the correct answer denotes the organized nature of how domain names and IP addresses are managed, distinguishing it from other potential descriptions.