Name Server

What Does Name Server Mean?

A name server is a server that helps to translate IP addresses into domain names. These pieces of IT infrastructure are often required parts of a Web setup, where domain names serve as easier identifiers for a given location on the web.

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Techopedia Explains Name Server

One issue with the process of using name servers to perform these translations is that many end users are not aware that they can use IP addresses to access a given website. By shielding the process, the name server setup abstracts how the IP lookup system works. However, this does make it easier for end users to navigate the Web.

While it may not matter whether end users understand IP addresses, developers and others do face issues of a complicated and fast-growing Web, and some problems with sufficient cataloging of IP addresses. Issues like this are handled by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), which helps to provide consistency for domain processes.

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Margaret Rouse

Margaret Rouse is an award-winning technical writer and teacher known for her ability to explain complex technical subjects to a non-technical, business audience. Over the past twenty years her explanations have appeared on TechTarget websites and she's been cited as an authority in articles by the New York Times, Time Magazine, USA Today, ZDNet, PC Magazine and Discovery Magazine.Margaret's idea of a fun day is helping IT and business professionals learn to speak each other’s highly specialized languages. If you have a suggestion for a new definition or how to improve a technical explanation, please email Margaret or contact her…