WEB HOSTINGModule 2: Domain Names

INTRODUCTIONA domain name is the address of your site. An example could be myportfolio.com. Domain names can have various extensions such as:• .com • .org • .net

For your hosting account to work properly, you will need to point your domain name to your hosting account using the Domain Name Server (DNS) settings covered in the next module.

Some hosting accounts can host multiple domain names in with a single account.

MODULE OBJECTIVESUpon completion of this module, you should be able to:

• Define a Domain name• Describe the characteristics of an IP

address• Differentiate different types of IP

addresses including:o Dynamico Static

• Apply your knowledge to buy and choose a domain name.

WHAT IS AN IP ADDRESS?

"IP" stands for Internet Protocol, so an IP address is an Internet Protocol address.

An IP address consists of four numbers, each of which contains one to three digits, with a single dot (.) separating each number or set of digits. Each of the four numbers can range from 0 to 255. Here's an example of what an IP address might look like:

78.125.0.209

Therefore, an Internet Protocol address is part of the systematically laid out interconnected grid that governs online communication by identifying both initiating devices and various Internet destinations, thereby making two-way communication possible.

TYPES OF IP ADDRESSES?

IP addresses can be either static or dynamic.

DYNAMICDynamic addresses are temporary. They are assigned every time a computer accesses the Internet. They are, in effect, borrowed from a pool of IP addresses that are shared among various computers. Since a limited number of static IP addresses are available, many Internet Service Providers (ISPs) reserve a portion of their assigned addresses for sharing among their subscribers in this way. This lowers costs and allows them to service far more subscribers than they otherwise could.

TYPES OF IP ADDRESSES?

IP addresses can be either static or dynamic.

STATIC

Static IP addresses never change. They serve as a permanent Internet address and provide a simple and reliable way for remote computers to contact you. They are generally preferable for such uses as VOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol), online gaming, or any other purpose where users need to make it easy for other computers to locate them and connect with them.

Let’s see..PAYING ATTENTION?

Select one of the options. Then move on to the next slide to check your answer.

They allow ISP to service far more subscribers than they otherwise could.

Static IP addresses are temporary and are assigned every time a computer accesses the Internet.

Static IP addresses never change.

Which of the following statements are true about Static IP Addresses?

Let’s see..PAYING ATTENTION?

Select more one of the options. Then move on to the next slide to check your answer.

They allow ISP to service far more subscribers than they otherwise could.

Static IP addresses are temporary and are assigned every time a computer accesses the Internet.

Static IP addresses never change.

Which of the following statements are true about statics IP Addresses?

Statics IP addresses never change.

DOMAIN NAMES

A domain name is an identification string that defines a realm of administrative autonomy, authority or control within the Internet.

Domain names are used to identify one or more IP addresses. For example, the domain name microsoft.com represents about a dozen IP addresses. Domain names are used in URLs to identify particular Web pages.

For example, in the URL http://webhostingforstudents.com/curriculum/#module-2, the domain name is webhostingforstudents.com.

Every domain name has a suffix that indicates which Top Level Domain (TLD) it belongs to.

TOP LEVEL DOMAIN(TLD)

CATEGORIES A TLD identifies something about the website associated with it, such as its purpose, the organization that owns it or the geographical area where it originates. Each TLD has a separate registry managed by a designated organization under the direction of the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers (ICANN).

The most popular domain extensions are:• .com• .info• .gov• .net

DEFINITION

TOP LEVEL DOMAIN(TLD)

DEFINITION ICANN identifies the following categories of TLDs:

• Country-code top-level domains (ccTLD) -- Each ccTLD identifies a particular country and is two letters long. The ccTLD for the United States, for example, is .us

• Infrastructure top-level domain -- There is only one TLD in this group, ARPA (Address and Routing Parameter Area).

• Sponsored top-level domains (sTLD): These are overseen by private organizations.

• Generic top-level domains (gTLD) -- These are the most common and familiar TLDs. Examples include "com" for "commercial" and "edu" for "educational." Most gTLDs are open for registration by anyone, but there is also a subgroup that is more strictly controlled.

CATEGORIES

Subdomains are extensions of your domain name that you can forward to URLs or point to IP addresses and directories within your hosting account. It’s easy to create a memorable Web address for unique content areas of your site by using subdomains. For example, you could create a subdomain for pictures on your site called "pics" that is accessible through the URL pics.coolexample.com.

You can add up to 100 subdomains per domain name. You can also add multiple levels of subdomains. For instance, you can add info.blog.coolexample.com to delve into an even more specific area of interest on your site. Each subdomain can be up to 25 characters long.

SUBDOMAIN

Let’s see..PAYING ATTENTION?

Select one of the options. Then move on to the next slide to check your answer.

True or False:Domain names are not used to identify one or more IP addresses.

True

False

Let’s see..PAYING ATTENTION?

Select one of the options. Then move on to the next slide to check your answer.

True or False:Domain names are not used to identify one or more IP addresses.

True

FalseFalse!

Domain names are used to identify one or more IP addresses.

BUYING AND RENEWING DOMAINS

GETTING A DOMAIN

DOMAIN NAME REGISTRARS

Getting a domain name involves registering the name you want with an organization called ICANN through a domain name registrar. For example, if you choose a name like "example.com", you will have to go to a registrar, and pay a registration fee for that name. That will give you the right to the name for a year, and you will have to renew it annually.

Some web hosts will register it and pay for the name for free (usually only the commercial web hosts), while others will do it for you but you'll have to pay the registrar fees.

BUYING AND RENEWING DOMAINS

GETTING A DOMAIN

DOMAIN NAME REGISTRARS

There are numerous domain name registrars. These are organizations or commercial entities that manage the reservation of internet domains.Some of the most popular are:

• Go Daddy• Name.com• Gandi• 1&1

Let’s see..PAYING ATTENTION?

Select one of the options. Then move on to the next slide to check your answer.

If you want to register a domain, you should contact a domain name registrar.

False

True

Let’s see..PAYING ATTENTION?

Select one of the options. Then move on to the next slide to check your answer.

If you want to register a domain, you should contact a domain name registrar..

False

TrueThe Domain Name Registrars are

organizations or commercial entities that manage the

reservation of internet domains.

Domain privacy is a service offered by a number of domain name registrars. A user buys privacy from the company, who in turn replaces the user's info in the WHOIS with the info of a forwarding service.

WHOIS is a query and response protocol that is widely used for querying databases that store the registered users or assignees of an Internet resource. All registrant details are considered public information, unless you pay for privacy. This is recommended to avoid solicitation, among other privacy benefits.

DOMAIN PRIVACY

Let’s see..PAYING ATTENTION?

Select one of the options. Then move on to the next slide to check your answer.

Noone. Privacy is forbidden.

Registrars

WHOIS

Who offers the privacy domain service?

Let’s see..PAYING ATTENTION?

Select one of the options. Then move on to the next slide to check your answer.

Noone. Privacy is forbidden.

Registrars

WHOIS

Who offers the privacy domain service?

Domain privacy is a service offered by a number of domain

name registrars

CHOOSING A DOMAIN NAME

TIP 1 - Make it easy to type.

Take a look at these tips to choose the best domain name for your website.

TIP 2 – Keep it short.

TIP 3 – Use keywords related to your site’s interests.

TIP 4 – Avoid numbers and hyphens. If your choice is not available, try something else.

TIP 5 – Use an appropriate domain extension.

TIP 6 – Act fast. Domain names sell quickly

PRACTICE TASK

Take some time to research and complete this task.

1. Research 10 different domain name providers

2. Find out what TLDs they support and the pricing

3. Check the company offerings and pricing for privacy protection

4. Try searching for different possible domain names for a possible personal or professional site

ASSESMENT

Write an email to a business owner who is about to get a website.

Explain them what a domain name is and how he or she can try searching for some possible domain names at a domain name provider of your recommendation.

CONGRATULATIONS! You should now be able to:

• Define a Domain name• Describe the characteristics of an IP

address• Differentiate different types of IP

addresses including:o Dynamico Static

• Apply your knowledge to buy and choose a domain name.