What does a Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) provide?

A Fully Qualified Domain Name (FQDN) serves as a unique identifier on the internet. It provides the complete domain name for a specific host within the broader Domain Name System (DNS). An FQDN includes both the hostname and the domain name, detailing the exact location of that host in the hierarchy of DNS.

For example, in the FQDN "www.example.com," "www" is the hostname, while "example.com" is the domain name. This distinction is crucial because it ensures that the DNS can resolve the domain name to its underlying IP address, allowing users to access websites and services correctly without ambiguity. The FQDN uniquely identifies the resource on the internet, distinguishing it from all other domains and hosts, which is essential for communication over the web.

Other options provide functionalities that do not align with the primary definition of an FQDN. A local network address pertains to private IP addressing within a local network, while a simplified user interface refers to usability features not specifically related to domain names. A fixed IP address suggests a static allocation of an IP, which is different from the identifier function of an FQDN.