What is the primary function of Domain Name System (DNS)?

The primary function of the Domain Name System (DNS) is to resolve domain names to IP addresses. This process enables users to access websites and services using easy-to-remember domain names instead of complex numerical IP addresses. When a user enters a domain name into a web browser, the DNS translates that name into the corresponding IP address, allowing the browser to locate the server hosting the desired content.

Understanding this function is crucial because it underlies most of the internet's functionality. Without DNS, users would have to remember and input numerical addresses, which would be impractical. Additionally, DNS facilitates the tiered structure of the internet, ensuring that users can connect to any website with ease.

Each of the other choices represents different aspects of network functionality but does not accurately reflect the core role of DNS. The dynamic assignment of IP addresses pertains to DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), whereas securing network communications relates to encryption protocols. Email routing is managed by services such as the Simple Mail Transfer Protocol (SMTP) and is not the main objective of DNS. Thus, the clarity of DNS's purpose as a resolver of domain names to IP addresses is what makes that choice the correct one.