Domain
A domain is a unique identity on the Net, something a computer can locate
from millions using a set of numbers called IP (Internet Protocol) number.
Each domain has its unique identifying domain number and a corresponding
domain name. "yahoo.com" is a domain name so also google.com or infobanc.com
(our domain) - each of these domain names has a unique set of IP numbers.
While we humans find it difficult to remember long numbers, computers
can communicate only through numbers. So the dual use of domain name and
number make the identification process simpler for both human and computer.
How does the identification
process work ?
You enter an Internet address
or URL (Universal Resource Locator) http://www.infobanc.com Now - http
stands for Hyper Text Transfer Protocol. This is the protocol, or set
of instructions, the browser is to use to handle what's coming up. What's
coming will be hypertext, thus the need for hypertext transfer protocol.
That makes sense. "://" is some leftover UNIX command which means "everything
that follows should be handled this way." Put the two together and you
can see that the beginning is saying "The following address is to be handled
using hypertext transfer protocol." "www.infobanc.com" is the actual address.
In Internet lingo it's the URL (Universal Resource Locator).
Now what does the computer do to identify that part of Internet known
as 'infobanc.com' ? Somewhere between you and the site you want to find
is something called a DNS server. That stands for a Domain Name Server.
It has a really, really long list of domain names and the numbers that
correspond. Usually, the ISP that you have your page on has its own DNS
server. If not, they are attached to one close by. The DNS server reads
the text you put in, changing that text into the corresponding IP number,
then sends the request off and into cyberspace. If that seems like one
more step than is required, it is. But isn't it worth it to be able to
type in words rather than remember some long strain of numbers? Have you
ever put in an address and received a message back that the server you
requested didn't have a DNS entry? Well, now you know what that means.
The DNS server can't find a number that lines up with the text you entered.
Where Do These Domain
Names Come From ?
ICANN or Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers is the
nodal organization for all aspects of domain names. ICANN has appointed
130 odd registrars throughout the world for registering domain names in
organized manner. You need to register your domain name with any of these
ICANN accredited registrars by paying a nominal fee. Registration period
is 1 year minimum. One can find details of all registered domain names
with their owners name etc. at a massive worldwide database called Whois
Getting Your
Own Domain and Website
On to the real reason you came
here. How do you get your own domain name and Website - www.yournamehere.com
? There are two basic ways:
- Get a dedicated server which, as its name implies,
will host your information only. This option gives you unlimited freedom
- but cost quite a bit ! If you are about to start your internet web-site,
you do not need this expensive option
- Get a virtual server , a shared host where your
information will be hosted alongwith with others. As its name implies,
each domain or web-site on the server will look like a real server.
This option has its limitations - but costs far less than a dedicated
server
To know what is virtual server - read next section - server space
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