Domain Registration FAQs
- What is a domain name?
- What is a top-level domain (TLD)?
- What is a second-level domain (SLD) ?
- What is the domain name system (DNS) ?
- What does it mean to register a domain name ?
- What is a name server ?
- What does it mean to park a domain name ?
- What does it mean to forward a domain name ?
- What does it mean to forward with masking ?
A domain name is a Web address. The domain name is mapped to an IP address (which represents a physical point on the Internet). Thus a domain name locates an organization or other entity on the Internet. When someone types a domain name into a Web browser, the requested Web page will open. For example, the domain name www.yourdomain.com locates an Internet address for "yourdomain.com."
A domain name consists of a top-level and a second-level domain. The "com" part of the domain name generally reflects the type or purpose of the organization or entity and is called the top-level domain (TLD) name. The part of the domain name located to the left of the dot (" . ") — "yourdomain" in this case — is called the second-level domain (SLD) name. The second-level domain name — being the "readable" part of the address — refers to the organization or entity behind the Internet address. Second-level domain names must be unique on the Internet and registered with an Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers- (ICANN-)accredited registrar.
What is a top-level domain (TLD)?
A top-level domain is the part of the domain name located to the right of the dot (" . "). The most common TLDs are .com, .net and .org. Several new top-level domains have been added to the menu recently, including, .biz, .info, .name, and .ws
The top-level domains have certain guidelines attached, but are for the most part available to any registrant, anywhere in the world. Exceptions are the restricted TLDs (rTLDs) — which include .aero, .biz, .edu, .mil, .museum, .name, and .pro — that require the registrant to represent a certain type of entity, or to belong to a certain community. The .name TLD is available strictly for individuals, while .edu is reserved for educational entities, such as universities or high schools.
Where appropriate, a top-level domain name can be of geographic significance and hence only available to registrants in the locale defined by the TLD. These are called country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) and include such top-level domains as .bz (Belize),.ca (Canada), .dk (Denmark), .ec (Ecuador), ie (Republic of Ireland), .uk (United Kingdom), .us (United States), and .zw (Zimbabwe)
What is a second-level domain (SLD) ?
Located immediately to the left of the dot (" . "), the second-level domain is the "readable" part of the domain name. The second-level domain is entirely defined by the registrant, and often refers to the organization or entity associated with the IP address. For example: In www.cnn.com "cnn" (Cable News Network) is a second-level domain.
Second-level domains can be divided into further domain levels. For example: www.sportsillustrated.cnn.com. These sub domains sometimes represent different computer servers within departments. More than one second-level domain name can be used for the same IP address.
What is the domain name system (DNS) ?
The domain name system (DNS) enables each machine connected on the Internet to be recognized by a domain name. Every computer on the Internet has a unique IP (Internet protocol) address which consists of a string of numbers. Since the IP addresses can be difficult to remember, the DNS allows a familiar string of letters (the "domain name") to be used instead of the IP address. So instead of typing the IP address' arcane string of numbers you can type, for example, "www.darshwebsolutions.com"
What does it mean to register a domain name ?
The Internet domain name system (DNS) consists of a directory, organized hierarchically, of all the domain names and their corresponding computers registered to particular companies and persons using the Internet.
When you register a domain name, it will be associated with the computer on the Internet you designate during the period the registration is in effect. Note that the above description applies to domains that are registered and hosted. If the registrant elects to, a domain can instead be registered and parked. A parked domain name does not need a DNS affiliation.
A name server is a computer that contains a list of domain names and the associated IP addresses. When a domain name is typed in a Web browser's address bar, the name server associates that with the IP address, and the correct Web site — barring any unforeseen difficulties — opens in the Web browser window.
What does it mean to park a domain name ?
Essentially, to park a domain name means to reserve your registered domain until you have created the site content, found a hosting provider, or sold the domain to a third party. When you park your site, a temporary Web page will be displayed until you have decided what to do with the domain. Domain name parking is often used by registrants who do not yet have a hosting provider.
Parking options include a one-page Web site that'll inform the visitor to the site that, for example, this page is "Under Construction," "Coming Soon," or "For Sale." You can also elect to have a customized page displayed. To set up your parked domain, use the One-Page Web Site Setup Wizard in the "Parked Pages" section of the account management department.
What does it mean to forward a domain name ?
Forwarding a domain name enables you to direct incoming traffic from your domain to an already existing Web site. Thus, when someone attempts to access your site, he or she is automatically redirected.
Typically, this option is selected by users who are registering a new domain, but are already hosting their files elsewhere. When the domain name is forwarded, the destination address, not your domain name, is displayed in the browser's address bar. This can be avoided by choosing to forward with masking.
What does it mean to forward with masking ?
If you decide to forward with masking, visitors are effectively kept from knowing they have been redirected. Forwarding with masking secures that your domain name remains in a visitor's browser's address bar when the visitor is being redirected. That way, the actual destination address is concealed from the user who only sees the domain name from which he or she is being forwarded.
If you are using regular forwarding, the destination address, not your domain name, is displayed when the visitor is redirected. So if, for example, the destination Web page has the address http://geocities.com/username, that address can be hidden and www.yourdomain.com can be shown instead.