What system translates domain names into IP addresses?

The system that translates domain names into IP addresses is known as the Domain Name System (DNS). This process is essential because, while humans prefer to use easy-to-remember domain names (like www.example.com), computers and network devices communicate using numerical IP addresses (like 192.0.2.1). When a user enters a domain name in their web browser, the DNS takes that domain name and resolves it to its corresponding IP address. This enables the browser to find the correct server and access the desired content online.

In contrast, HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol) is a protocol used for transferring hypertext requests and information on the internet, while SMTP (Simple Mail Transfer Protocol) is used for sending emails. FTP (File Transfer Protocol) is a standard network protocol used for transferring files between a client and server. None of these other protocols are involved in the crucial process of resolving domain names to their respective IP addresses like DNS is.