Jaklyn attempted to access a website but was unsuccessful. Even after trying the website's name, it couldn't be found. However, when using the IP address, the website was accessible. What could be the reason?

Jaklyn attempted to access a website but was unsuccessful. Even after trying the website's name, it couldn't be found. However, when using the IP address, the website was accessible. What could be the reason?

• A. The web server is down
• B. The DNS servers were offline
• C. The domain name was incorrect
• D. The firewall blocked DNS

Answer: (B)

When you type a website name, your browser relies on DNS to translate that name into the server’s numeric IP address. If the DNS servers are offline, that translation can’t happen, so the domain name can’t be resolved and the site appears not to be found. However, if you already know the IP address and connect directly to it, you bypass DNS entirely, so the site can load even though name resolution is down. That’s why using the IP works while the domain name does not. The other scenarios would typically affect both name-based access and direct IP access in different ways, so they don’t fit the observed behavior as cleanly.

When you type a website name, your browser relies on DNS to translate that name into the server’s numeric IP address. If the DNS servers are offline, that translation can’t happen, so the domain name can’t be resolved and the site appears not to be found. However, if you already know the IP address and connect directly to it, you bypass DNS entirely, so the site can load even though name resolution is down. That’s why using the IP works while the domain name does not. The other scenarios would typically affect both name-based access and direct IP access in different ways, so they don’t fit the observed behavior as cleanly.