The [[DNS]] is a hierarchical system designed to allow humans to use text strings to access content or services in place of [[IP address]]es on a global information network. Operating systems have been distributed for decades with the listing of default DNS servers to use as the authoritative place to obtain an answer when searching for a [[TLD]]. There are 13 [[Root Server Operator]]s in that file, and they comprise the [[Internet]]'s DNS root.<ref>[https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/rssac-023-04nov16-en.pdf History of the Root Server System, RSSAC023, ICANN]</ref> In addition to the Internet's DNS root working in agreement with [[ICANN]], several organizations operate Alternative Root Servers (often referred to as "altroots"). Each alternative root has its own set of root nameservers and its own set of TLDs. | The [[DNS]] is a hierarchical system designed to allow humans to use text strings to access content or services in place of [[IP address]]es on a global information network. Operating systems have been distributed for decades with the listing of default DNS servers to use as the authoritative place to obtain an answer when searching for a [[TLD]]. There are 13 [[Root Server Operator]]s in that file, and they comprise the [[Internet]]'s DNS root.<ref>[https://www.icann.org/en/system/files/files/rssac-023-04nov16-en.pdf History of the Root Server System, RSSAC023, ICANN]</ref> In addition to the Internet's DNS root working in agreement with [[ICANN]], several organizations operate Alternative Root Servers (often referred to as "altroots"). Each alternative root has its own set of root nameservers and its own set of TLDs. |