Domain Name System DNS - A system for converting host names and domain names into IP addresses on the Internet or on local networks that use the TCP/IP protocol. For example, WWW.COMPANY.COM would be converted into the IP address 204.0.8.51. Without DNS, you would have to type the four numbers and dots into your browser to retrieve the Web site, which of course, you can do. Try finding the IP of a favorite Web site and type in the dotted number instead of the domain name! DNS server Yahoo web server 209.131.36.158 Mapping table inside DNS server www.yahoo.com 209.131.36.158 …. 209.131.36.158 209.131.36.158 www.yahoo.com