What happens after the recursive resolver receives the IP address from the domain's nameserver?

• A. The browser loads the page
• B. The DNS resolver responds to the web browser with the IP address
• C. The root server re-queries the TLD server
• D. The TLD server caches the IP address

Answer: (B)

Once the recursive resolver has the IP address for the domain, its role for that query is to hand that information back to the requester—the web browser on your device. With the IP value provided, the browser can establish a TCP connection to that address and begin requesting the web page. In practice, the resolver may be returning a cached answer from earlier lookups, which is why responses can be fast.

The other steps described aren’t what happens immediately after receiving the IP: loading the page happens after the connection is established, not just from knowing the IP; the root server’s role is to guide the resolver to the next referral during resolution, not to re-query after the IP is known; and the TLD server’s job is to direct the resolver during lookup, not to deliver the final IP to the browser in this moment.