What layer is DNS?

DNS is such an important protocol, and the internet would not be so usable today without it. 

That said, one might wonder what layer does the DNS protocol operate on?

DNS is an Application-layer protocol. The Application layer is the top-most layer on the TCP/IP Model. Just like every application layer protocol, DNS uses the User Datagram Protocol (UDP) on the Transport layer of the TCP/IP model to transport data.

UDP is preferred over TCP for DNS because of its speed and lightweight packets.

The DNS layer provides networking support to identify and locate computer services and devices with the corresponding protocols. Simply put, when a client application requests that a domain name be converted into an IP address, the task is completed within the application layer by DNS.

Check out this article for more information about the layer the DNS protocol operates and how to secure it