Domain Names Frequently Asked Questions
What is a Domain Name?
What is a second level Domain (SLD)?
How do Domain Names work?
What is a WHOIS listing?
What is a Name Server?
When can I register an expired Domain Name?
I just registered a Domain Name, when can I use it?
What is Domain parking?
Answers:
- What is a Domain?
-
A domain name is a Web address, such as hostfolks.com, that is linked to an IP address (which represents a physical point on the Internet). When someone types a domain name into a Web browser, the requested Web page displays. A domain name consists of a top-level and a second-level domain. A top-level domain (TLD) is the part of the domain name located to the right of the dot (hostfolks.com). The most common top-level domains are .com, .net, and .org. Some other popular top-level domains are .biz, .info, .name, and .ws. These common top-level domains have certain guidelines but are, for the most part, available to any registrant, anywhere in the world
-
There are also restricted top-level domains (rTLDs), like .aero, .biz, .edu, .mil, .museum, .name, and .pro, these require the registrant to represent a certain type of entity or to belong to a certain community. For example, the .name TLD is reserved for individuals, while .edu is reserved for educational entities.
Country-code TLDs (ccTLDs) are for Web sites and registrants of a particular geographic location, such as .bz (Belize), .ca (Canada), .dk (Denmark), .ec (Ecuador), .ie (Republic of Ireland), .uk (United Kingdom), .us (United States), and .zw (Zimbabwe).
The part of the domain name located to the left of the dot (hostfolks.com) — "yourpersonaldomain," in this case — is called the second-level domain (SLD) name. The second-level domain name is the "readable" part of the address and 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 secon level Domain (SLD)?
-
Located immediately to the left of the dot (" . "), the second-level domain is the readable part of the domain name. The registrant defines the second-level domain. It typically refers to the organization or entity associated with the IP address. For example, in www.hostfolks.com "hostfolks" is a second-level domain.
Second-level domains can be divided into further domain levels (for example, domains.hostfolks.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.
- How do Domain Names work?
-
A domain name works like an address forwarding service.
All of your Web site content sits on a computer with a unique address. This is called an IP address. An IP address is made up of a series of numbers, such as 123.23.234.45. Your domain name directs visitors to your site using this IP address.
We use domain names instead of IP addresses because most people find it easier to remember a name rather than a series of numbers.
- What is a WHOIS listing?
-
A Whois listing contains information associated with a domain name, such as its creation and expiration dates, the registrar of record, and various contacts (administrative, technical, etc.). Whois data is collected when a domain name is registered and is public information. The Whois information appears whenever a person conducts a Whois search on a particular domain name.
For information on how to keep your contact information private, see Adding Privacy to Your Domains.
- What is a Name Server?
-
Name servers are the Internet's equivalent to phone books.
A name server maintains a directory of domain names that match certain IP addresses (computers). The information from all the name servers across the Internet is gathered in a central registry. This makes it possible for people across the Internet to access your Web site using a familiar domain name, instead of having to remember a series of numbers.
It usually takes about 4-8 hours for .COM and .NET domains and about 24-48 hours for all other domain extensions before name servers on other networks are able to access the information after the central registry gets it. This period is referred to as the propagation period.
Back to the Top
- When can I register an expired Domain Name?
-
Most registrars allow a grace period after a domain name expires for the registrant to renew it. That grace period can be as short as one to two weeks or as long as one year in some cases. If the current registrant does not renew it within the allotted time frame, then that domain name should become available. The actual grace period is different for each individual registrar. Once the registrar releases the domain name, you will be able to register it through us. In many cases, soon-to-be-expired domains will be put up for auction. If the current registrant fails to renew the registration within the allotted grace and subsequent redemption periods, you can attempt to obtain the domain by placing a bid for it.
Back to the Top
I just registered a Domain Name, when can I use it?
New domains and changes to domains may take up to 4-8 hours for .COM and .NET domains to become effective, and about 24-48 hours for all other domain extensions. This is due to the number of networks involved, and the fact that several different agencies control those networks. This delay applies to all domains and all registrars. Please allow for this delay when planning Web sites or configuring a domain to work with your email.
Back to the top
-
What s Domain Parking?
When you park a domain name, you're reserving your registered domain until you have created your Web site, found a hosting provider, or sold the domain to a third party. After you park your domain, a temporary Web page displays whenever somebody types your domain name in their browser.
Back to the top