| When you are ready to choose a domain name for your new website, the domain name, or DNS, becomes one of the most important decisions you will make. It's easy to see why. Your domain name will be your URL or web address. It is your way of saying that this domain will point to (or be directed to) a specific webpage on our site. Another reason the domain name becomes important is because it is registered with a domain name provider. This provider will provide a numerical IP address and other data regarding the name. FUNCTION DESCRIPMENT When you are looking for a name that is easy to remember and type into a web browser, it's important to remember that the domain name you choose should have a domain name server. A domain name server is a special computer program that is built into the host operating system. There are a number of name servers that are provided by different Internet Service Providers (ISPs). Each hosting company uses its own name servers and IP addresses. Most companies that provide domain name services also maintain their own IP address lists. As most companies do, your site's host may provide you with an IP address from a name server provider. However, if your host does not offer this service, it may be necessary to assign an IP address from another source. You can learn more about the name servers offered by your Internet Service Provider (ISP) by asking an administrator or customer service representative. They can also give you instructions about how to find and change the IP address of your domain name. Some hosting companies do not offer name servers. In that case, you will need to find one on your own. Two methods are typically used to identify and locate name servers: DNS and SOAP. A DNS is a database that consists of names and associated IP addresses. Names are entered into DNS via the web browser. Once names are entered in the DNS, they become available to your website. An IP address is simply an address that a domain name points to. The domain name server that provides your Internet service is able to find the right names and IP addresses for your domain name based on what you have entered into the DNS system. If your ISP offers domain name servers, but you will still need to find one on your own, you can use the Naming Services Provider (NSP) part of your Internet service provider's website. Your Internet service provider's (ISP) name servers are configured so that they will return results that are consistent with your IP address and domain name. On the other hand, your host may have its own name servers as well. In this case, you would need to contact your host and ask them to provide you with one. As an alternative, you can use the Naming Services Provider's list of name servers provided by different Internet Service Providers. You will be asked to enter the name of the domain name you are trying to resolve in the field for the domain name server. If you have an IP address, you may not be able to enter the IP address; however, if you have a host name, you will be able to enter it. Then, your IP address or host name will be translated into the IP address of your desired domain name. Finally, your IP address or host name will be recorded in the DNS system so that it will be available to you when you type the name into any of the browser's search engines. If you have an Internet service provider that offers both DNS and IP-based services, you may be able to choose from their list of name servers to find the one that will provide you with the name you want for your domain name. Now that you know how to find a domain name server and what the process of getting a domain name is, it's time to register your domain name. When you register your domain name, you will be given a temporary record that will allow you to create a record of all domain names that you registered in the Internet. Once this is done, you will be given your permanent record, which will contain the details of your domain name, its current location in the Internet, as well as the name of your ISP. From there, you should be able to log into your domain name website to access your domain name and change the details that are important to you. |