What Does Domain Name Mean In Computer Terms Info From Other Sources
A domain name is an identification string that defines a realm of administrative autonomy, authority or control within the Internet. Domain names are formed by the rules and procedures of the Domain Name System .
A domain name is the Internet equivalent of a physical home address for a website.
Domain names are used to identify one or more IP addresses.
A domain name is a unique name that identifies a website.
Domain names provide an easy way to remember internet address which is translated into its numeric address by the domain name system .
Differences Between A Domain Name And A Url
While a domain name and a URL share some similarities, they refer to different things. A URL acts as a complete website address that can direct visitors to a specific page on a site. A domain name is just a part of it.
A URL consists of a protocol, a domain, and a path. The protocol shows whether a site has an SSL certificate. Keep note that URLs have a path only when they direct visitors to a specific page on a site.
What Was The First Domain
The first Internet domain name “symbolics.com” was registered by Symbolics, a Massachusetts computer company on March 15, 1985.
When deciding on a domain name, its a good idea to keep it simple, something that is easy to remember. Additional promoting tips for websites is on our guide to promoting your content on the web. To register or look up a domain name, we recommend visiting GoDaddy or Network solutions both companies are domain name registrars.
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Whats In A Domain Name
Domain names function on the Internet in a manner similar to a physical address in the physical world. Each part of the domain name provides specific information. These pieces of information enable web browsers to locate the web page. The naming system is closely regulated in order to prevent confusion or duplicate addresses. As demand increased exponentially, a new Internet Protocol version, or IPv6, was created to expand the number of domain names available.
How Does The Dns Work
When a domain name is typed into your browser, in the first instance the computer will check its cache to see if it has previously requested that domain. If not, it will then contact the local DNS server ). If, again, there are no records of this domain name in the ISP cache, then the computer will next need to locate the name servers associated with that domain.
To do so, the local DNS server will break the domain name into sections. For example, www.makeawebistehub.com would be broken down into .com, makeawebsite, and www. The .com section, known as a top level domain , will be investigated first the local DNS server will connect to a root name server to find out which server holds the domain information for this TLD. Once known, it will then contact this next server to find out which name server holds details on the second part of the domain name .
The name servers are managed by your websites hosting provider. They contain the DNS records of given domains and map domain names to IP addresses. Once the computer has located the name servers for your website, your hosting company will forward the request to the computer where your website is hosted. The web page is then sent to the browser that initially put out the request.
Although simplified, the above should give you an idea of how the DNS works. Lets next find out about the different types of domain name extensions that are available
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How Do I Buy A Domain Name
To buy a domainname, simply go to an online domain name registrar, enter the domain name you want to buy, and then pay for some kind of subscription. However, it is not always necessary to go through a registrar. Web hosting providers, such as OVHcloud, allow you to sign up for a hosting solution, and register a domain name at the same time. If you would like to host a domain name with OVHcloud for the creation of a website, donât hesitate to contact us.
Gtlds: Generic Top Level Domains
A generic top-level domain is an extension that does not rely on a country code. There are no specific criteria to get a gTLD. However, some extensions are sponsored by designated agencies or organizations.
Some generic TLDs are restricted to specific types of registrants. For example, an academic institution can use .edu, and a governmental agency can use .gov. If your domain does not fall under particular categories or institutions, you will not be able to use the extension.
Read Also: How Much Does It Cost To Get A Domain Name
What Is A Domain Name 5 Straightforward Examples
What is a domain name and how do they help you on the web? Let’s find out all about the technology behind these names.
Every time you use your web browser, you enter domain names of sites you want to visit into your browser’s address bar. But what’s the technology behind these names, and how do they help you get to the places you want to visit?
Let’s break down what a domain name is, and why we use them.
What Does Domain Name Mean Little History
The fast expansion of the network made it impossible to maintain a centrally organized hostname registry, so in 1983 the Domain Name System was introduced.
The first commercial Internet domain name was registered on 15 March 1985 in the name symbolic.com by Symbolics Inc.
As of March 15, 2010 there was 84 million domain names which includes 11.9 million online business and e-commerce sites, 4.3 million entertainment sites, 3.1 million finance related sites and 1.8 million sports sites.
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The Different Parts Of A Domain Name
There are 3 different parts to a domain name, they are as follows:
1. Subdomain
The first part of a domain name is the www part that comes before the dot.
Example: www.IsItWP.com
This is a standard part for every domain name, called the machine name or subdomain. This is optional though, because you dont need to enter www before a domain name in a browser in order to visit that domain. You domain name can just be IsItWP.com.
2. Second Level DomainThe second part is the second level domain, which is the part youre most familiar with, between the dots.
Example: www.IsItWP.com
This is your domain name itself that you register for and its the most customizable part.
3. Top Level DomainAt the very end of the domain name, after the dot, is the top level domain also known as the domain extension.
Example: www.IsItWP.com
The domain extension can be .com, .biz, .net, .org, .gov, as well as many other variations. But .com is the most popular and well known.
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What Is A Url
Well its not your neighbor, Earl! Well, it could be if you spell as badly as I do.
If you look in address bar of your browser you will see a URL.
A URL is an acronym for Uniform Resource Locator, and is similar to the address of your home. It provides a simple way to identify your home, and with the proper resources allows anyone to locate your home. Lets look at the above URL, break it down into sections, and see what each part does.
Truth In Domain Names Act
In the United States, the Truth in Domain Names Act of 2003, in combination with the PROTECT Act of 2003, forbids the use of a misleading domain name with the intention of attracting Internet users into visiting Internet pornography sites.
The Truth in Domain Names Act follows the more general Anticybersquatting Consumer Protection Act passed in 1999 aimed at preventing typosquatting and deceptive use of names and trademarks in domain names.
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The Legal Challenges Of Domain Names
Filing a domain name that includes the name of a known trademark is not the same as owning the trademarkâs intellectual and industrial property rights. However, anyone can reserve a domain name containing a trademark, if the company in question has not yet done so. This may create some conflicts between the company and the domain name holder that case-law is trying to address, since a domain name does not have a legal status as such.
It is therefore strongly recommended that businesses reserve several domain names with different extensions that incorporate the trademarks used by their company. This will prevent the companyâs brand identity from being misused, including by an unfair competitor or cybersquatters. However, French law seems to side with the owners of the trademark registered with the INPI, even if they do not own the corresponding domain name.
How Do I Find A Good Domain Name
How much thought do you need to give to a domain name when you want to create a website? In theory, with a good website, users should visit your pages whatever the domain name…but it is a little more complicated than that. If you are part of a business, it is crucial to choose a domain name that is right for your business or brand.
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How Do Domains Work
Domain names work because they provide computer users with a short name that is easy to remember. Users enter web addresses into the URL field at the top of their browsers page from left to right. The domain name itself is read from right to left according to the naming hierarchy discussed below. This link provides directions to the network, which ultimately results in a successful page-load at the client end of the transaction.
The common fictitious domain name, www.example.com, is comprised of three essential parts:
- .com This is the top-level domain.
- .example. This is a sub-domain.
- www. This is a sub-domain prefix for the World Wide Web. The original use of this prefix was partly accidental, and pronunciation difficulties raised interest in creating viable alternatives.
Many servers use a three-letter naming convention for top-level domains, and they are separated from sub-domains by a dot. The significance of the top-level domain is the most important for new users to grasp. It identifies the highest part of the naming system used on the Internet. This naming system was originally created to identify countries and organizations as well as categories.
The most common categories are easily recognized by new computer users, and they include:
- .com
A significant expansion of the top-level domains occurred, and they now include:
- .biz
- .info
- .name
The Domain Name System
The Domain Name System functions by converting the domain name into an IP address character set, via a Domain Name System server. This system is situated on millions of servers the world over but acts as a single unified database.
When you type a domain name in your search browser, the browser then communicates with a name server in order to find the IP address that is matched to that name.
If you have not specified a domain extension, that request will go through a server that sorts by the Domain Name System hierarchy, starting with top-level extensions and then moving on down the line. Unsurprisingly, this made the worldwide web infinitely easier to navigate, which encouraged more people to utilize its services.
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So What Is A Domain Name
A domain name is your websites equivalent of a physical address. It helps users find your site easily on a browser instead of using its IP address. Domain names consisting of a name and an extension are a key part of the internet infrastructure.
Here are some facts related to the question of what a domain name is:
Do I Need A Domain For A Website
Technically, visitors can visit your website using its IP address. However, since it consists of a string of numbers, it is hard to remember. A domain helps make a website more accessible to internet users.
A domain is also essential for branding and search engine optimization . Even though users can still find your website without a domain name, it is a crucial part of a site.
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Use A Domain Name Generator
Due to the sheer number of domain names that have already been registered, it is often the case that your ideal name has been long taken. Instead of spending days and days brainstorming new names, you should consider using a domain name generator.
There are numerous domain name generators available. They work by taking a keyword from you, and then turning it into thousands of relevant suggestions. Lets have a look at a few domain name generators to help you get started
- Lean Domain Search Brought to you by Automatic, Lean Domain Search will help you find domain names by pairing your search phrase with other common and relevant keywords. It also shows you which ones are available to register.
- Domain Hole This domain name generator allows you to search, find, and buy new and expired domains. It comes jam-packed with an array of domain name tools including a name spinner, a brainstormer, and a complete availability checker.
- Name Mesh With over six million words in the Name Mesh library, this name generator will be able to find the right domain name for you. Simply enter your keyword, and Name Mesh will provide a range of suggestions, as well as check the availability for most common TLDs.
For more information on domain name generators, check out our article 9 Best Blog and Domain Name Generators.
Once you have decided on an appropriate domain name for your website, you will now need to buy it. But how much will it cost and where should you buy it from? Lets find out more