DNS
"The basic method which allows a Domain Name to lead customers to your web site is shown below. This diagram describes a request made by a customer's web browser as he attempts to log onto your site.
To determine which primary name server contains your Domain Name Records, a local name server contacts the root domain name server maintained by the InterNIC.
The root domain name server then returns the IP address of the primary name server responsible for the domain being requested.
The primary name server becomes the next machine contacted by the local name server.
The primary name server holds the IP address for the domain name and satisfies the the local name server's request.
Then the local name server can finally return to the web browser with the IP address.
Using the IP address, the web browser can then contact the company's web server and retrieve your web pages."
