domain names
A domain is part of a network address that gives you an identity on the Internet. Since there can be multiple locations with the same name, it is important to name that domain. Giving your domain a name establishes ownership and exact location on the World-Wide-Web.
There are two types of domains:
- Top Level (TLD)
- Second level (SLD)
TLD or top level domain, is the part of the domain name that is to the right of the period, eg. [http://example.com] where “.com” is the extension. The most common top level domains are .com, .org, .net, and more recently .biz.
Anyone can register top level domains, while a second level domain has an extension to the left of the domain name, e.g. [http://testexample.com] where “testexample” is a domain extension. Why is it important to know? Because the location of a specific domain name cannot be replicated, adding a name to it gives it a unique identity.
Domain Registration
The domain registry is governed by (ICANN) Internet Corporation for Assigned Names. This body of regulators manages the links between IP addresses and domain names across the Internet. IP addresses are represented by domain names and therefore we can find websites by typing the domain names instead of the IP address in our browsers. This information is stored in a common database along with all the domains linked to an IP address.
It is essential to have more than one domain name if you are thinking of starting a business or a project. This protects your intellectual property and establishes your brand.
What is a URL?
This is a common name in the cyber world and also on the streets. A URL is a Uniform Resource Locator that is the address of an Internet web site or page. The URL is an exact address for the location of the information on the Internet. An example, the site URL is [http://testexample.com/computers]. Therefore, the site points to the page that has “computer” related content on the “testexample.com” website.
Below is an example showing how a URL [http://testexample.com/computers/software.HTML]
is broken down to show specific locations on a web page over the Internet:
- http://{protocol}
- test example {domain name}
- .com {TLD}
- /computers/software.HTML={path}
- /teams/ {directory}
- /software.HTML {filename}
Who controls the nameservers
When we hear the word “nameservers”, what comes to mind? Well, as the name suggests, it stores and serves names whenever requested. It’s like a phone book that stores millions of contact numbers and as soon as someone dials a number, that call goes through. In the same context, domains matching IP addresses are stored on these servers. This is stored on the Internet in a central repository or registry.
Expired domain names
Owning a domain name is like renting an office or building. It has an expiration date that must be renewed. Some companies and individuals pay up to 5 years to use their domain name. The minimum period is one year. Fortunately, you have a grace period that allows you to re-register. This grace period depends on the company that registered the domain name.
If the domain name is not renewed, it is made public. This could be in the form of a public auction and people can bid to capture that domain name. The domain name will be returned to the registry if unclaimed, and it is up to the registry to release it to the public. Once released, the domain name can be re-registered.