Which server type is responsible for translating FQDNs to IP addresses?

The server type responsible for translating Fully Qualified Domain Names (FQDNs) to IP addresses is the Domain Name System (DNS). When a user types a domain name (like www.example.com) into their web browser, the DNS server is tasked with resolving that domain into a specific IP address, allowing the browser to locate and connect to the correct server hosting the website.

This process is crucial for the functionality of the internet, as it allows users to access websites using easy-to-remember names instead of having to memorize numerical IP addresses. The DNS operates through a hierarchical system and can employ methods such as caching to improve resolution times for frequently accessed domains.

In contrast, a DHCP server is responsible for dynamically assigning IP addresses to devices on a network. SMTP focuses on the sending and receiving of email, while FTP handles the transfer of files across a network. Each of these serves distinct purposes, but none perform the name resolution function that is specific to DNS.