CompTIA Cloud+ Practice Test 2026 - Free CompTIA Cloud+ Practice Questions and Study Guide

The system that maps domain names to IP addresses is the Domain Name System (DNS). This critical component of the internet enables users to access websites using easy-to-remember domain names instead of numeric IP addresses. When a user types a domain into a browser, DNS servers translate that domain into the corresponding IP address, allowing the browser to connect to the appropriate server.

One common issue that arises with DNS is the presence of stale records. This occurs when a DNS record, which might point to an outdated IP address, continues to exist in the system even after the actual destination has changed. This can lead to connectivity problems where users are directed to the wrong server or unable to reach the intended website altogether. This is particularly relevant in environments where IP addresses change frequently, such as in cloud-based solutions or dynamically allocated IP setups.

The other systems listed, such as SNMP (Simple Network Management Protocol), DHCP (Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol), and FTP (File Transfer Protocol), serve different functions. SNMP is used for network management, DHCP assigns IP addresses to devices on a network, and FTP is used for transferring files. None of these are responsible for resolving domain names to IP addresses, which is the core function of DNS.