What is the primary function of DNS Root name servers?

Root name servers play a crucial role in the Domain Name System (DNS) hierarchy. Their primary function is to hold the authoritative lists of top-level domain (TLD) name servers, which are the first step in translating domain names into IP addresses. When a DNS query is initiated for a domain, it starts at the root servers, which direct the query to the appropriate TLD name servers based on the extension of the domain (such as .com, .org, or .net).

This process is fundamental to the functioning of the internet, as it enables users to access websites by their domain names rather than having to remember numerical IP addresses. By efficiently directing queries to the correct TLD name servers, root name servers ensure that the DNS resolution process operates smoothly, making them essential to the infrastructure of the internet.

In contrast, the other choices do not encapsulate the primary role of root name servers. Storing IP addresses for domain names is a task handled by various types of DNS servers, while managing security protocols for websites and facilitating email routing services are tasks associated with different aspects of network functionality and are not the core responsibility of DNS root servers.