What is DNS?

From Wikipedia:

The Domain Name System (DNS) associates various information with domain names; most importantly, it serves as the "phone book" for the Internet by translating human-readable computer hostnames, e.g. www.example.com, into IP addresses, e.g. 208.77.188.166, which networking equipment needs to deliver information. It also stores other information such as the list of mail servers that accept email for a given domain. In providing a worldwide keyword-based redirection service, the Domain Name System is an essential component of contemporary Internet use.

Query DNS

Tip: FireFox users can bookmark the following URL http://neranjara.org/tools/dns/host/%s/type/ALL, then add a keyword to your new bookmark. Now using your new bookmark type in [keyword] example.com into your address bar. Neat huh?