In a network setup, what role does a DNS server primarily serve?

A DNS server primarily serves the role of resolving hostnames to IP addresses. This function is critical in networking, as it translates human-readable domain names into machine-readable IP addresses, allowing users to access websites and services using familiar names rather than numerical addresses. For instance, when a user types "www.example.com" into their browser, the DNS server processes this request and returns the corresponding IP address, enabling the connection to the desired web server.

This core functionality of the DNS server is essential for the proper operation of the Internet and local networks alike. It streamlines the user experience and facilitates the communication between various services on the network.