Domain Names

What is a domain name?
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), ae (United Arab Emirates 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.espn.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.

What is a name server?
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.

Which domain name extensions (TLDs) are available?
◘.com — ("commercial") The most common extension for domain names. Often represents companies or for-profit organizations. Most personal Web sites also use this extension.
◘.net — Generally represents Internet Service Providers (ISPs).
◘.org — Usually represents non-profit organizations or groups.
◘.biz — ("business") Reserved for use by businesses.
◘.info — Made for both businesses and individuals. Usage is unrestricted, but a .info TLD indicates that the Web site primarily is informative.
◘.ws — (Web site) An all-around, universally available top-level domain.
◘.us — Country-code top-level domain available for registrants in the United States.

What are the rules for the registration of .biz, .com, .info, .net, .org and .ws names?
The .com, .info, .net, .org, and .ws TLDs are globally available and unrestricted. Traditionally, however, names in .net have been used by organizations involved in Internet infrastructure activities — typically ISPs (Internet Service Providers) — while .org is frequently used by noncommercial organizations. .biz is available to businesses only. Albeit unrestricted, usage of the .info TLD implies that the site content is of a primarily informative nature.

Who qualifies for a .us domain?
To qualify for a .us domain name you must meet one of the following Nexus Requirements. The U.S. Nexus Requirement is intended to ensure that only those individuals or organizations that have a substantive connection to the United States are permitted to register for .us domain names.
To be in compliance with the U.S. Nexus Requirement, all registrants for the .us domain must be either:
◘A natural person (i) who is a citizen or permanent resident of the United States of America or any of its possessions or territories, or (ii) whose primary place of domicile is in the United States of America or any of its possessions,or
◘An entity or organization that is (i) incorporated within one of the fifty (50) U.S. states, the District of Columbia, or any of the United States possessions or territories or (ii) organized or otherwise constituted under the laws of a state of the United States of America, the District of Columbia or any of its possessions or territories,or
◘An entity or organization (including a federal, state, or local government of the United States, or a political subdivision thereof) that has a bona fide presence in the United States.

Which extensions are not available, and why?
The sponsored top-level domains .aero, .coop, .museum, and .pro. require the registrant to be member of or affiliated with specific communities, and are therefore not accessible to the general public. The .aero TLD, for example, requires the registrant to prove membership of the aviation community. Similarly, .gov and .mil are reserved for the U.S. Government, and U.S. Military, respectively, while .edu is restricted to educational entities.
Country-code TLDs outside the United States are also excluded.

How do I register a new domain name?
◘ Check availability
Type the desired domain name in the search box and select the preferred extension from the drop-down list; then click "Check Availability" to see if the requested name is available for you to register. If the requested domain is available you may continue signing up the domain by clicking "Continue." You will be presented with all available variations of the desired domain name (i.e. .biz, .com, .info, .net, org, .ws extensions). You can select any of the displayed variations.
If the domain is not available you will instead be presented with any available alternate versions of the domain name. Typically, this means that you'll be offered the same second-level domain name, but with a different top-level domain. If you don't like any of the suggestions, you can pick another domain name and check its availability.
◘ Log In
If this is the first time you have signed up for a domain name, you must first create an account. To do so, define your user name and password, and submit a valid email address so that the registrar can communicate with you. If you are a returning user, enter your user name and password, and click "Continue."
◘ Select the length of registration
Select the desired duration of your domain-name registration. In most cases, you can register a domain name for 1-10 years. When you sign up for a domain, you do not own that domain outright. You are in essence renting the use of the domain name for a certain period of time.                                                                                                                                          

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