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The Internet was built on the notion that any computer on a global network can be identified by its numeric Internet Protocol (IP) address. But since people, and not machines, are the primary users of the Internet, a more people-friendly naming system called the Domain Name System (DNS) was invented. DNS maps a host name like www.domregnow.com to the IP address of the machine that hosts the DomRegNow.com web site. For example, DNS actually maps the host name www.domregnow.com to the IP address 207.254.58.10 DNS is built upon the notion that some server's are 'authoritative' (meaning, knows all there is to know) for certain domains. A distributed name server hierarchy, beginning with the A Root Server and ending at the thousands of nameservers active on the Internet, ensures that the naming and directing system works the same from anywhere. Back to Top Domain Name A domain name is essentially a signpost on the Internet. Almost every website you've ever been to, and every email you've ever composed, has used a domain name in its address. People register domain names in order to 'stake a claim' to a particular name -- whether for business or personal reasons. Once a domain name is registered to a person or company, it is that person's to use exclusively as long as they continue to pay the yearly renewal fee and abide by the terms of use. Top Level Domain (TLD)Domain Registrar A "Registrar" (or "Domain Name Registrar") is an organization like OpenSRS or Network Solutions that has control over the granting of domains within certain TLDs (top level domains, like the generic .com/.org/.net or country-specific .ca/.us/.mx etc.). Back to Top Domain Registry The 'Registry' is the system backend that is maintained by the operators of the TLD. Registrar's write new names to a central registry database, from which the authoritative root (essentially, a table of all domain names) is built. In the case of .com, .net and .org, the InterNIC runs the registry, and qualified registrars have shared access to it. In the case of many ccTLDs, the registry and registrar functions are combined within one entity. Back to Top Domain Registrant A registrant is the person or company who registers a domain name. For example, Jessica Smith (registrant) registers the name jessicasmith.com through OpenSRS (registrar) who in turn writes the name to the central database (Registry). Back to Top Domain Renewal Domains are leased on an annual basis, and need to be renewed once the current payment for the lease expires. If a domain is registered on April 15, 2000 and prepaid for one year, it will be due for renewal on April 15, 2001, at which point the registrant either pays for additional years, or lets the name expire. Domains can also be pre-paid for multiple years, up to a maximum of 10 years. Back to Top Domain Transfer The term 'transfer' has been used to describe various kinds of domain name transfers. Traditionally, simply changing the nameservers providing name service for a domain was considered a transfer. Nowadays, such a modification is more rightly called a modification, and the term 'transfer' describes the transfer of a domain from one registrar to another. Back to Top ICANN The Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN) is the non-profit corporation that was formed to assume responsibility for the IP address space allocation, protocol parameter assignment, domain name system management, and root server system management functions previously performed under U.S. Government contract by IANA and other entities. For more information about ICANN, please visit: http://www.icann.org Back to Top InterNIC The InterNIC maintains the root domain registry, containing nameserver and registrar information for all .com, .net and .org domains. When an end user registers a domain name through an OpenSRS RSP, OpenSRS updates it's own database with the full WHOIS information, and passes select domain information up to the root registry. Back to Top Name Servers Nameservers (or Domain Name Servers) are the machines that perform the DNS function, containing zone files listing all the hosts on their network, and their corresponding IP addresses. If a nameserver is unable to determine which IP address a given hostname (i.e. www.domregnow.com) should map to, it will at least be able to point to another nameserver, which will either contain the information, or pass the request on until the correct nameserver is found. OpenSRS (Open Shared Registration Sytem) OpenSRS is a wholesale domain name registration service that uses Open Source principles to ensure equal participation for as many companies and individuals as possible. Sponsored by Tucows.com, OpenSRS has been accredited as a domain registrar by ICANN and recognized by the United States Government and Network Solutions. For more detailed information on OpenSRS, see End User FAQ #4. The End User FAQ and General FAQ are also good sources for general information about OpenSRS. Back to Top Registration Service Provider (RSP) Under the OpenSRS model, DomRegNow.com resells domain names through OpenSRS and sells them to individuals or businesses. RSPs like DomRegNow.com are generally Internet based service providers, either running a domain registration business as a 'value add' to their core business, or in some cases, as their core business. RSPs also provide all technical support to domain registrants. DomRegNow.com is a Registration Service Provider Back to Top UDRP The Uniform Dispute Resolution policy is a document which governs how domain name disputes will be resolved within the gTLD namespace. It defines the conditions under which a genuine dispute may arise, and provides guidelines for administrative proceedings to settle the issue, outside of a court where possible. All registrants registering domains through OpenSRS (or any other registrar) are bound by the UDRP. The UDRP can be found at: http://www.domregnow.com/dnd-policy.html Back to Top Web Hosting One service often closely associated with domain names is web site hosting. The World Wide Web is a massive collection of web sites, all hosted on computers (called web servers) all over the world. Because of the web's uniquely global nature, a web site should be accessible 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Rather than pay to have a 24/7 dedicated Internet connection to an in-house webserver, many people opt to host their sites with a web hosting provider. Web hosting clients simply upload their web sites to a shared (or dedicated) webserver, which the ISP maintains to ensure a constant, fast connection to the Internet. Back to Top WHOIS WHOIS databases contain nameserver, registrar, and in some cases, full contact information about a domain name. Each registrar must maintain a WHOIS database containing all contact information for the domains they 'host'. A central registry WHOIS database is maintained by the InterNIC. This database contains only registrar and nameserver information for all .com, .net and .org domains. Back to Top Last Updated: Friday, August 18th 2000 By: dbryant@domregnow.com |
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