DNS Recursive Resolver

Problem

Your laptop wants the address of: api.example.com It shouldn't need to personally navigate root servers, .com servers and authoritative servers.

Solution — Recursive Resolver

Your device asks a resolver to obtain the answer on its behalf. 
Laptop → Resolver
            ↓
          DNS hierarchy
            ↓
Laptop ← answer
Core idea: recursive resolvers perform DNS resolution on behalf of clients.