| A DNS server is a machine on the network that acts as a name Registrar. It is typically located in the area where the computer or domain name client is connected to the internet. This server is programmed to look up and return all records for domain name clients that ask for it. If you have ever had a problem trying to access someones web site you may have at some point in time used the name of your ISP (Internet Service Provider) as the domain name of the entity that attempted to give you the desired information. Often an internet service provider or ISP will provide the nameservers for your domain. You may even find that they are listed as part of ISP packages. Many people choose to purchase this service from an outside source because of the added security and cost advantages that come with using a domain nameserver. It really doesn't matter which name server you select as long as you get one. It is the one piece of hardware that will ultimately determine the security and reliability of your domain nameserver. Once you have chosen the right name server for your use there are a few simple steps that you can take to set it up. Your first order of business is to download the required software needed to connect to the domain nameserver. This software is usually available with the purchase of your DSL or Cable modem. If you have a wireless router then it may also be available for purchase and is relatively cheap to upgrade. Once you have the software installed on your computer you need to connect it to the internet. If your modem is configured properly you should be able to access the domain name from any location. If not you will need to configure it with the local web browser. Note that if you enter the domain name during the installation process it may display incorrectly. Once your domain name has been registered it can be used with any computer that is configured to recognize domain names. A simple method of confirming this is to double click the domain name on the browser you are using to access the internet. If you see the familiar msn logo you are in fact on a domain name system. Each domain name corresponds to a numerical IP address. To find your IP simply type in a search engine such as google or yahoo. Now that you have this network information established it is time to move on to securing your domain name. Your domain name provider will supply a secondary DNS - or the nameserver - to help protect your domain name. The primary DNS is simply an address that is programmed into your operating system to serve information for your web browser. Once you have entered your domain name and clicked connect, your domain nameserver will now forward the request to the DNS server. This part is quite straightforward. You will be given the opportunity to review your current settings. If you find that they are incorrect, simply delete them and enter new ones. You may need to reconfigure your DNS servers at this point but once done you will not need to use a domain name system again. Finally, your domain name will now be in the hands of your DNS provider. They will provide you with an IP address that corresponds to your domain name. This address will be recorded in their database and will be available to anyone that needs it. All you have to do after that is to make sure that you confirm your subscription by checking a box on your renewal form. There you have it, a simple process to getting your domain name registered. |