mDNS

Abbreviation · Development

Definitions

  1. Multicast DNS — a protocol that resolves hostnames to IP addresses on local networks without a DNS server. Devices announce themselves as name.local and respond to queries via multicast. Powers Apple's Bonjour (AirDrop, AirPlay), Avahi on Linux, and is how you access printer.local or raspberrypi.local on your home network.

    In plain English: A way for devices on your home network to find each other by name (like printer.local) without a DNS server.

    Example: "Access the Raspberry Pi at raspberrypi.local — mDNS resolves it to the device's IP without configuring your router's DNS."

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