Should you wish to understand how to find your nameservers, then follow the instructions in this easy-to-follow guide.

How to Find Your Nameservers

There are two main ways you can use to find your nameservers.

Method 1: Use an Online Tool

Various tools can show you the DNS records of your registered domain. One such is our own DNS lookup tool:

DNS Lookup

Method 2: Use the Hosting Control Panel of Your Domain Registrar

Hosting registrars oftentimes provide their clients with control panels via which clients can quickly find their nameservers.

If you have registered or transferred your domain with AwardSpace, here’s how to find your nameserver.

Step 1: Log in to the AwardSpace hosting control panel

Do so by clicking the blue Login button from the AwardSpace homepage:

Once you click the button, a new page will appear. Once you see it, add your Client ID/Email and Password, and hit the blue Login button:

Once you add your credentials and click on Login, you will enter the AwardSpace hosting control panel:

Step 2: Go to the Domain Manager

Now that you have logged in to the AwardSpace hosting control panel, click on Domain Manager:

Once you click on Domain Manager, a new page will open. It contains a domain registration form, as well as a list of your registered domains in AwardSpace:

From the list with hosted domain names, locate the one you wish to find the nameservers of and click on the small + symbol on the left of the domain:

Once you click the +, a new menu with options will appear beneath the domain name:

From this menu, click on the blue Name Servers button:

Clicking this button will display a box with information about the nameservers of this particular domain:

Now you have managed to find your domain’s nameservers.

Read Further: How Do I Point my Existing Domain to AwardSpace

Conclusion

Finding your domain’s nameserver is a simple process including only a few easy-to-follow steps.

The post How to Find Your Nameservers appeared first on AwardSpace.com.

Frequently the terms are wrongly used interchangeably, which can lead to confusion, especially for beginners in the field of web hosting and web development. This is why, in this guide, we outline the differences between the two terms and share an insight into when each of both might become the appropriate approach for any given situation.

Table of Contents:

• What Does Domain Hosting Mean
• What Does Domain Transfer Mean
• Differentiating Between Transferring and Hosting a Domain
• Deciding Between Transferring and Hosting a Domain Name

What Does Domain Hosting Mean

Hosting a domain (known also as domain hosting) is a service provided by web hosting businesses via which your registered domain name points to that brand’s web servers. Domain hosting includes configuring the domain name system (DNS) settings to point to the server where the website associated with that domain name is stored.

For example, suppose you host a domain name via AwardSpace. In that case, it means that all your website visitors will be directed to an AwardSpace web server where your website is hosted to access and browse its content.

Hosting a domain is available via all our hosting plans, including the AwardSpace free hosting plan. It is important to note that you are required to already own the domain name you want to host, and also have access to the domain’s DNS records.

What Does Domain Transfer Mean

In short, domain transfer is a term that describes the process of switching a domain name from one registrar to another.

During the transfer, the ownership of the domain name doesn’t change, but the domain management responsibilities and services are also transferred to the new registrar. Such management services can be periodic renewal payments and DNS settings.

N.B! If you wish to transfer a domain name, you must have used a single registrar at least for 60 days, as ICANN applies a 60-day Change of Registration lock.

Read further: How to Find Your Nameservers

Differentiating Between Transferring and Hosting a Domain

The main difference between transferring and hosting domain names lies within the change of the domain registrar. When it comes to hosting a domain, the process involves only switching a hosting provider, whereas transferring a domain includes changing both the hosting provider and the domain registrar.

Furthermore, in most cases, domain hosting is free, while domain transfer services oftentimes involve fees and come with periodical renewal costs.

Deciding Between Transferring and Hosting a Domain Name

Deciding between transferring and hosting can be a challenging task. To make the right decision, you should first consider several factors:

Transfer your domain name: If you want to manage all your website and domain aspects from a single place, and at the same time you benefit from a free domain transfer, and you are not satisfied with your current registrar, then you should transfer your domain name.

Host your domain: This service might be preferable for you, should you be satisfied with your current registrar, but wish to switch to the AwardSpace hosting services, or, for example, you work with numerous domain names and don’t wish to spread them among different registrars.

Conclusion

Understanding the difference between hosting and transferring is important to make an informed decision about managing your website project. Each option can be greatly beneficial for your website project, and to those the right one for you, you should understand your specific needs and preferences about domain management and web hosting services.

The post The Difference Between Domain Hosting and Domain Transfer appeared first on AwardSpace.com.

If this is your first time purchasing a web hosting service, then read this guide thoroughly, as it contains valuable information on how to work with your AwardSpace account and how to easily and quickly access the hosting tools and settings you need.

If you are already experienced in using web hosting services, then use the guide to quickly find anything you are looking for.

Table of Contents:

• Shared Web Hosting in a Nutshell
• Familiarize Yourself with the AwardSpace Hosting Control Panel
• Configure Name Server Settings
• Install a Content Management System (CMS)
• Upload Your Website Files
• Secure Your Website With an SSL Certificate

Shared Web Hosting in a Nutshell

Shared hosting is one of the most popular and affordable web hosting services available. With this service, multiple users host their websites on a single web server and share their resources such as disk space, bandwidth, and processing power.

Shared hosting is widely used for various website projects such as personal websites, web agency websites, business websites, and much more.

Familiarize Yourself with the AwardSpace Hosting Control Panel

After you purchase the AwardSpace shared hosting plan, you will receive an email with important information. It contains instructions on how to access the AwardSpace hosting panel, and other useful information. Please read the email thoroughly and save it for future reference.

Once you read the email, log in to the AwardSpace hosting control panel and familiarize yourself with the interface.

The AwardSpace control panel is the place from which you can upload and manage a website, manage files, register a domain, install CMS platforms, work on code, and much more.

Spend some time browsing the panel and familiarize yourself with everything it has to offer you.

Configure Name Server Settings

If you have already registered a domain with a registrar different from AwardSpace, it is important to point your domains to AwardSpace. This will help you use the full potential of your shared hosting plan.

The process is very simple and requires only a few minutes of your time. Read how to do so: How do I Point My Existing Domain to AwardSpace

Also read: How to Find Your Nameservers

Install a Content Management System (CMS)

If you wish to build your website with a CMS, AwardSpace got you covered. Our shared hosting plans come with an extended list of available and free CMS platforms that you can install on your server whenever you decide.

Here’s how to do so:

The first thing to do is to log in to your AwardSpace hosting control panel.

When you enter, click on Zacky App Installer:

Once you open the installer, a new page will open. It should look like this:

While on this page, click on the green Browse and Install Apps:

After you click the button, a list of available CMS apps will appear:

Now, from this list choose a CMS to your liking and click it. Also, if you want to point a domain name to the CMS website you are about to build, simply choose the domain from the Hostname menu at the top of the page:

For this example, we will install WordPress. Keep in mind that the installation process is the same for each available CMS.

To install WordPress (or any other CMS from the list), click on the CMS icon:

Once you click on the CMS you wish to install, a new window will pop up. Read the informational text and click on the blue Proceed to Step 2 button:

In the second step of the process, you should choose a title for your website, admin username, and password, as well as you are required to add an email address:

Once you add your credentials, click on the blue Install Application button:

When you click the button, the installation process will begin:

Once the installation process is finished, you will receive an email containing important information about the CMS and the website you are about to create with it. Read it thoroughly for further information.

Upload Your Website Files

If you already have a website and wish to upload it to the AwardSpace servers, you can use an FTP client. You can create an account via the AwardSpace hosting control panel.

To do so, log in to the hosting panel and click on FTP Manager:

Then, proceed to create an account:

Once you create an account, you can start using an FTP client of your choice.

Read more:

• How to Establish a Connection with Dreamweaver FTP?
• How to Establish Connection with CoreFTP?
• How to Establish a Connection with SmartFTP?
• How to Establish Connection with WS_FTP?
• How to Establish Connection with FireFTP

Secure Your Website With an SSL Certificate

Once you upload your website to the AwardSpace server, or once you start working on a brand new website, it is important to enhance security by installing an SSL certificate. Such software keeps your website and online data secure and prevents hackers from reading, or modifying any information that is being transmitted via your website.

To install a certificate on your website, via the AwardSpace hosting panel, go to SSL Manager:

Once you click the icon, a list of your hosted websites will appear:

From this list, find the website on which you want to install an SSL certificate and click it. Once you do, a new menu with 3 buttons will appear:

From this menu, click on the Buy SSL Certificate:

A box with a text and a button will appear. Read the text and click on the blue Get an SSL Certificate button:

Once you click the button, a new page will appear. It should look like this:

Choose an SSL certificate from this page and follow the steps to purchase and install it on your website.

Read Further:

• What is SSL and How Does It Protect My Website?
• How can I Get an SSL Certificate?
• Do I Need an SSL Certificate? 5 Advantages of Having One

Conclusion

Getting started with shared web hosting is easy. You only need to take a few simple steps to get the most out of your AwardSpace hosting plan and build a successful website.

The post Shared Hosting Quick Start Guide appeared first on AwardSpace.com.

Here’s what to do once you enter the registrar’s dashboard:

1. Find the domain name settings. Find the domain management/settings section in the registrar’s admin panel. Such settings can be named “Domain Management”, “Domain Manager”, “DNS Settings” and similar.

2. Find the nameserver settings. Somewhere in the domain name settings menu, look for nameserver settings. These settings can be labeled as “Nameservers”, “Nameserver Settings”, “DNS Settings”, “Domain Name Servers”, or anything similar.

3. Find the setting that allows you to change nameservers. Once you find the general nameserver settings, search for an option to change nameservers. A similar option can be named “Change Nameservers” or similar.

4. Add the AwardSpace nameservers. After you locate the setting that allows you to change nameservers, you should add the AwardSpace nameservers. To do so, add these to the appropriate fields:

ns5.awardspace.com
ns6.awardspace.com

5. Save the changes. Now that you have entered the AwardSpace nameservers, make sure to save the changes you have made. This is usually done by clicking a button such as “Save” or “Save Changes”.

6. Wait for changes to take effect. Although changing nameservers takes effect immediately, it is possible to experience some minor delay.

Once you complete these steps and the effect takes place, your registered domains should be pointing to the AwardSpace nameservers, and you will be able to manage them, along with your website via your AwardSpace account.

If you experience any difficulties, don’t hesitate to contact AwardSpace’s tech support team by writing an email to support@awarspace.com

Read further: How to Find Your Nameservers

The post how Do I Point my Existing Domain to AwardSpace appeared first on AwardSpace.com.

A domain name, in short, is a unique name that points to your website’s unique address on the Internet and helps users find it quickly and easily.

To be able to use a domain name for your website, you should first register one.

If you are new to the process of registering a domain name, it might feel overwhelming at first. However, the process is straightforward – in this guide, we share how to register a domain name for your website in a few easy-to-follow steps.

Table of Contents:

• Choose a Suitable Domain Name
• Choose a Domain Name Registrar
• Check Domain Name Availability
• Register The Domain You Chose

How to Register a Domain Name for Your Website

To register your domain name quickly and efficiently, follow the next steps.

1. Choose a Suitable Domain Name

The first step in the process is to select the domain name you would want to register. In most cases, it can resemble your brand, or business, and be easy to remember.

Remember that your domain name must be unique – there is no way two identical domain names exist at the same time!

To find out more, read how to choose a domain name.

2. Choose a Domain Name Registrar

A domain name registrar is simply the name of a business that is responsible for the reservation of domain names, and you need one to register a domain name.

When searching for a registrar, it is important to choose one with advanced security options and an extended list of domain management features. In the majority of cases, domain name registrars also provide clients with web hosting services.

One such registrar is AwardSpace – it provides you with domain registration services, and can also help you see the availability of any domain name for free. Furthermore, AwardSpace is known for its advanced and reliable web hosting services.

Also, if you are new to web hosting, have a look at everything you need to know about web hosting.

Read: The Difference Between Domain Hosting and Domain Transfer

Read also: How to Find Your Nameservers

3. Check Domain Name Availability

Once you have chosen a domain name for your website, and a registrar to help you register it, it is time to check its availability.

Availability simply means to check whether the domain is not already associated with a given IP address and a website. Usually, this allocation is done via a domain name system. If the domain is already allocated to a given IP, with points to a given website, then you can’t use it and you have to choose a different domain name. This is due to a simple fact – all domain names should be unique, as the infrastructure of the contemporary Internet, and ICANN doesn’t allow two identical domains to point to the same IP address and website.

In short, the domain name you chose to register, should be unique, otherwise you won’t be able to register it.

There are two quick ways to see whether your chosen domain is available.

1. Check availability directly on AwardSpace.com. A very fast and easy way to check availability is to use the free AwardSpace tool, which you can instantly use without registration, or any other type of engagement.

Simply visit the AwardSpace domains page and from there type in your domain within the checker tool:

Once you type in the preferred domain name, a list of suggestions will appear:

If a given domain name is available, the text will prompt you to register it:

However, should the text prompt you to transfer the domain name, then this particular one is already taken and you should think of another domain name for your website:

2. Check Domain Availability Via AwardSpace Hosting Panel. If you have already registered to any of the AwardSpace hosting services, then you can check domain availability via the AwardSpace hosting panel.

To do so, via the AwardSpace homepage, click the white Login button at the top right of the page:

Clicking the button will lead you to another page. It will require your AwardSpace login credentials. Type them in:

Then click on the blue Login button:

Clicking the Login button will lead you to the AwardSpace hosting panel. It looks like this:

From this panel, click on the Domain Manager icon:

Once you do, a new page will open. It should look like this:

While on this page, within the Register a Domain tab, located at the top of the screen, type your chosen domain name:

Then, choose a domain extension by clicking the button pointed at the image and select your preferred extension:

Once you type in your domain name and extension, click on the blue Check Domain image:

A list with domain names will appear.

The ones that can be transferred are already taken, and you can’t use them, unless they are yours, and managed by a different registrar:

However, if the text prompts you to register a domain name, then it is available and you can register it right away:

Now, you can choose any of the suggested available domain names to register.

4. Register The Domain You Chose

Now that you have filtered out the available options, it is time to register your chosen domain name.

Depending on which way you prefer to check domain availability, there are two ways of registering your chosen domain name.

Via the AwardSpace Domain Availability Checker. If you have checked the domain availability via the Domains page,(check the previous section of this article for more details) then follow these steps:

Once the list with available domains appears, add a tick to the left of the domain name you wish to register:

Then, scroll down to the bottom of the list with available domain names and click on the red Order button:

Once you click the button, а new page with a list of your purchases and a payment method will appear:

Also, you will be asked to register on AwardSpace.com. To do so, fill in the required credentials on this page and click the blue Continue button at the bottom of the page:

Once you fill in your credentials and click on Continue, a new page will open. It will sum up all the information you just typed in:

Check whether all the information is correct and click the blue Pay with 2Checkout! at the bottom of the page:

Then, continue with the checkout and billing. Once you finish the process, you will have registered the domain name.

Via the AwardSpace Hosting Panel. This method is very useful if you have registered for any of the AwardSpace services. To register a domain, log in to your hosting panel, as described in the domain availability section of this article.

Once you accessed your AwardSpace hosting panel, click on Domain Manager:

Once you do, within the Register a Domain tab, type down your preferred domain name and select a domain extension:

Once you select these, click on the blue Check Domain button:

Once you do, a list with details about the domain name will appear – whether it is available or not, and different available variations of the initial suggestion:

Check the results and if there is a domain name you like, add a tick to the box at the left of the name:

Then, click on the blue Continue button, located at the bottom right of the page:

Then, follow the next steps, check whether all the information is correct, choose a payment option, and proceed with payment.

Conclusion

Registering a domain name is not as hard as it sounds. It requires only a few minutes of your time and a few clicks here and there.

The post How to Register a Domain Name for Your Website appeared first on AwardSpace.com.

However, with the great number of hosting services and the overwhelming amount of information about web hosting available, it can become increasingly hard to choose the right web hosting plan for your website.

To help you navigate through the numerous options and make an informed decision, AwardSpace compiled an informative and easy-to-follow guide on how to choose the best hosting plan for your website.

Table of Contents:

• Determine Your Website Goals and Needs
• Reliability and Uptime
• Choose a Plan with Advanced Security Features
• Performance and Speed are Essential
• Choose a Flexible Plan With a Potential for Scalability
• Check Specs and Available Storage

How to Choose the Best Web Hosting Plan for Your Site

Choosing the right web hosting service can help you provide reliable and smooth website performance, and keep all your important site data safe.

This is why, when searching for the best web hosting option, you should consider reliability, performance, and security as the most important factors.

Furthermore, you should also consider factors such as website purpose, plan flexibility, and various security features in case of unexpected events.

With that being said, here are the 6 tips for choosing the best web hosting service for your website

Determine Your Website Goals and Needs

To choose a fitting hosting plan, you should consider your website’s specific purpose, goals, and technical requirements. Outlining these can help you narrow down your choices to potentially fitting plans and exclude the ones that are not suitable for your needs and goals.

This would make the entire process of choosing the right plan faster, easier, and much more efficient.

Take into account the type of website you want to launch, the expected amount of traffic, and what type of features the website will contain.

For example, if you want to create a simple personal website with only a few pages, you most likely don’t need the most feature-rich and expensive hosting plan. However, if you want to launch an e-commerce store with thousands of items and tons of content, the ideal hosting solution most likely is the one with a vast disc space storage, advanced safety features, and tons of bandwidth that all together can endure traffic spikes, protect sensitive data and provide visitors with a rewarding experience.

In short, determine the goal and requirements of your website and according to these, filter out the fitting web hosting options.

Read also: Shared Hosting Quick Start Guide

Reliability and Uptime

Regardless of the type of website you wish to launch and the various features you wish to incorporate, choosing a web hosting plan that can endure any traffic spike and performance challenge is essential.

Always go for a plan with a minimum uptime guarantee of 99.9% and grants you enough resources and website backup options to minimize the risk of downtime and data loss.

Choose a Plan with Advanced Security Features

Although not the most exciting part of launching a website, choosing a hosting plan with reliable security features is essential. Cyberattacks can greatly harm your business, and website and destroy your visitors’ trust. What is more, oftentimes recovering from such attacks can be very hard and expensive. Data breaches can cost you millions.

To maximize the potential to deflect cyberattacks, always go for a web hosting service that comes with advanced security features. Choose a plan that includes features such as virus protection, firewall, and SSL certificates.

High Performance and Fast Speed are Essential

Regardless of the type of website you want to create, choosing a plan that ensures flawless performance and fast site loading speeds is essential. Both are very important, as they can significantly affect user experience and search engine optimization.

When searching for a plan, always choose the one with the better technical specs, as these would ensure flawless performance, especially if you plan growth and scalability in the future.

Choose a Flexible Plan with a Potential for Scalability

Through time, your needs may change, new ideas for your website project can emerge and your project might well expand exponentially. Because of the numerous potential changes and scalability prospects you might face while working on your site, the hosting plan you choose should be able to resonate with everything new that is happening.

This is why, for website projects with a potential for growth and the possibility for changes, selecting a hosting plan that allows you to adjust resources and settings and helps you quickly adapt to any change is important.

For example, plans such as VPS Cloud hosting allow you to access and adjust any setting on the server, so it performs exactly as you wish and as it suits your website needs.

Check Specs and Available Storage

When choosing a hosting plan, it is important to select one that can endure the performance challenges your website would create. Depending on your website type and purpose, you would need a lot or little amount of performance and disc space.

If you would work on a large website with numerous features, then make sure the plan you choose provides you with enough power and disk space.

However, if you focus on small website projects, such as personal websites and one-page projects, choose a plan that can cover all the technical requirements for your project, but doesn’t come with features and performance potential that you won’t be using.

Check for Additional Hosting Plan Features

Oftentimes web hosting plans come with various features that make website building and management far easier. So, it is always a good idea to check plan features and select the one that comes with everything you would need to work more efficiently.

In most cases, hosting plans such as the AwardSpace ones feature a list of available CMS platforms, site builders, hosting panels, and 24/7 tech support.

Some plans can even provide you with a free domain name.

Read: The Difference Between Domain Hosting and Domain Transfer

Read also: How to Find Your Nameservers

Conclusion

When searching for a web hosting plan for your website project, choose the plan that is flexible, secure, and can endure the performance challenges that you would put it through.

The post How to Choose the Best Web Hosting Plan for Your Site appeared first on AwardSpace.com.

This mechanism is conducted by a Domain Name System (DNS) and is powered by advanced servers

Nameservers are a very important component of the contemporary Internet infrastructure, as they make web access and search for information fast and easy.

In this article, we will delve deep into what nameservers are and how they work.

What is a Nameserver

At their core, nameservers are advanced servers that can handle queries related to domain names and find their corresponding IP addresses.

In short, nameservers map the easy-to-remember domains such as AwardSpace.com to numerical addresses such as 198.74.50.19 that are used by computer devices. Also, each time you register a domain name, a registrar registers your domain name to the DNS.

In more technicality, the nameservers contain various types of information about the domain names, and more precisely, about domain name extensions such as .com, .net, .org, and others.

There are two types of nameservers:

• Authoritative Nameservers. These hold information about the given domain name’s IP address. Authoritative nameservers are responsible for providing answers to any queries regarding requesting a given IP address.
• Recursive Nameservers. Also known as resolvers and caching nameservers, these servers cache the results of queries and showcase these cache files as a final result to clients. The idea is to use cached files instead of generating them each time a query is made. By using this approach, the recursive nameservers reduce the loading time of web pages.

Management of nameservers is handled by the Internet Assigned Numbers Authority (IANA), a branch of ICANN.

Without nameservers, you wouldn’t be able to access a given website by typing down its domain name. Instead, you should remember and use unique IP addresses for each website you wish to open.

How Does a Nameserver Work

Imagine you wish to visit the AwardSpace.com homepage. You only need to type AwardSpace.com into your preferred web browser, hit enter and the search engine will display the homepage link.

However, below the surface, a complex process begins:

• First, you type AwardSpace.com into the address bar of a web browser and hit Enter.
• Then, your browser sends a request to that domain’s nameservers.
• The requested nameservers respond by sending back the IP address corresponding with that requested domain (in our case, Awarspace.com) to the web browser.
• Then the web browser uses the acquired IP address to find the online resource, in this scenario, the AwardSpace website.
• Once the web browser finds the content related to the used particular IP address, it displays it to you. Or, in short, it displays you the AwardSpace homepage.

Read: The Difference Between Domain Hosting and Domain Transfer

Read also: How to Find Your Nameservers

Conclusion

Nameservers play an important role in providing smooth and fast performance of the Internet. Nameservers translate human-friendly domain names to machine-readable IP addresses, enabling users to access websites, send emails, and browse the web quickly and easily.

Understanding the role of nameservers can help you understand the faceted infrastructure of the Internet.

The post What is a Nameserver appeared first on AwardSpace.com.

Similar to a phonebook, in which each phone number refers to only one particular phone, ICANN makes sure that there can’t be two identical domain names existing together, and also two identical IP addresses existing together.

What Does ICANN Do

ICANN does several main activities to make the Internet more user-friendly and accessible to anyone.

ICANN Coordinates Top-Level Domains

In terms of domain name management, ICANN manages the creation and coordination of top-level domains such as .com, and .net and country-level domains similar to .usa, .uk, and others.

A major ICANN responsibility is to not allow the existence of identical domain names with identical top-level domain extensions.

In these cases, the main responsibility of ICANN is to keep such top-level domains reliable and viable at all times.

ICANN Supervises the Creation of New TLDs

ICANN is responsible for handling the process of accepting and adding a new generic TLD to the list of registered domain names.

At the same time, the organization is also responsible for adding changes to already existing generic TLDs.

ICANN is Responsible for Allocating IP Addresses

All devices that are connected to the Internet communicate with each other via IP addresses – a string of numbers and symbols that provide detailed and precise information about the location of each device and the resource that can be found on that particular address.

If you are interested in the topic of IP addresses and how they are connected to domain names, then check out our comprehensive article, which explains everything about the topic: What is a Domain Name

Read also: The Difference Between Domain Hosting and Domain Transfer

When it comes to IP addresses, ICANN is responsible for not having two or more identical IP addresses.

Also, ICANN, being the central repository for IP addresses, is responsible for sending out details to regional registries, after which they can be used by network providers.

ICANN Settles Down Domain Name Disputes

ICANN addresses the domain name ownership and top-level domain ownership disputes.

In cooperation with the World Intellectual Property Organization (WIPO), ICANN has devised a mechanism for quick, effective, and affordable conflict resolution by allowing arguing parties to avoid dealing with tedious court disputes

How Many Top-Level Domain Names in ICANN Are There?

As of 2024, there are over 12,000 TLD domain names and this number is ever-growing.

As ICANN approves the addition of new gTLDs, and the number of Internet users expands exponentially, this number is approximate.

Conclusion

ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, is a nonprofit organization that coordinates the maintenance of a vast number of namespaces and numerical spaces on the Internet.

Thanks to ICANN and DNS, the contemporary Internet has become more accessible and easy for a larger number of users.

Read also:

• How Does DNS Work
• What is a Nameserver
• What is Content Delivery System
• What is a Domain Name
• Understanding the Different Parts of Domain Names
• Web Hosting: Everything You Need to Know

The post What is ICANN appeared first on AwardSpace.com.

Oftentimes called the phonebook of the Internet, DNS, along with ICANN, the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, is the cornerstone on which the contemporary Internet is based.

If you are not sure what domain names and IP addresses are, then have a look at our comprehensive articles explaining the terms thoroughly:

Table of Contents:

• What is a Domain Name
• Understanding the Different Parts of Domains
• How to Choose a Domain Name (6 Key Tips)

What is DNS

When browsing the web, people oftentimes use a website’s domain name to open it – for example, they type in “AwardSpace” or “AwardSpace.com”. However, such words, or phrases do not make sense to computer devices such as laptops, smartphones, and servers.

Instead, internet devices use IP addresses to locate web resources and deliver them to users. Smartphones, laptops, tablets, servers, and others communicate with each other via special strings of symbols, called IP addresses. These IP addresses are unique for each device and for each type of information stored on these devices.

The Domain Name System makes sure to allocate a given domain name with a corresponding IP address, so that every time you type in a registered domain name in the search engine, the right website loads up.

When you type in “AwardSpace” or “AwardSpace.com”, this query is sent to a DNS server, which checks which IP address matches this particular domain name, and shows it to the requesting web browser. Once the browser acquires the IP address behind this particular domain name, it searches the Web for it acquires the web resource (in this example the AwardSpace website’s IP address and its content) and delivers it back to you.

In short, DNS servers contain the public IP addresses associated with the domain names of those websites and tell machines which domain name corresponds to which IP address.

By adopting this technology, the Internet becomes more accessible to people, as DNS dismisses the need to remember and work with IP addresses.

How Does DNS Work

When you type in a domain name, such as “YouTube.com” in your web browser, a complex process of data exchange begins.

The prompt that you entered into your web browser is known as a DNS request.

Once a DNS request is made, your web browser will first check out whether there are any already stored DNS records locally on your computer. A DNS record is an already-established connection between a given domain name and a corresponding IP address.

If your browser finds any match among the DNS records, it will use these to locate the IP address that corresponds to your DNS request and therefore fetch you back the web resource located at that IP address (in our example, the YouTube.com website will be opened).

However, if there are no DNS records stored locally, more actions will take place.

If your web browser can’t find any matching DNS records and therefore can’t fetch the requested website, it would then connect to a so-called DNS resolver.

DNS Resolver

The DNS resolver, also known as recursive resolver, is the main intermediary between your computer and other DNS servers. The purpose of the recursive resolver is to send forward the request to other DNS servers to find the matching IP of the requested domain name via the DNS request.

When the DNS resolver receives a request, it first scans its own system (cached files) to find a matching IP address to the requested domain name and if there’s a match, it sends it back to the web browser, which then uses it to fetch you the requested website (in our case – Youtube.com).

However, if the DNS resolver doesn’t contain any matches within its cached files, it sends a request to the next DNS server in the system – the so-called root nameserver.

Root Nameserver

The nameserver, know also as the root DNS server, is a special kind of server. It doesn’t contain any matching information about the request, but it gives directions to where the matching IP address can be found.

Once a request to the root nameserver is made, it identifies the top-level domain of the requested domain name and then it connects back to the recursive resolver to give instructions on where the matching IP address of the DNS request can be found.

The instructions contain information about which TLD nameserver should be reached.

Read also: The Difference Between Domain Hosting and Domain Transfer

TLD Nameserver

The TLD Nameserver is a DNS server that stores and manages information about the top-level domains (TLDs) of domains. A Top-Level Domain is the part of each domain name that stays at its far right. Examples include .com, .org, .net.

Once a request to the TLD nameserver is made, it analyzes what type of TLD the DNS request contains and redirects the DNS recursive resolver to the TLD nameserver that contains this TLD extension, along with the requested domain name.

In short, if the DNS request contains “YouTube.com”, the TLD nameserver will identify the TLD of this request (in this case, it would state that the TLD is “.com”) and would then tell the DNS recursive resolver which TLD nameserver contains the IP address that matches this particular domain name with this particular TLD.

Authoritative Nameserver

The Authoritative nameserver, or authoritative DNS server, is the final destination in the entire DNS resolution process.

This server stores all information about the domain name you requested via the DNS record, and to which IP address it is connected.

Once a request to the authoritative nameserver is made, it obtains the IP address associated with the domain name you entered in your web browser and sends it back you your computer, so you can open the requested website (in our example, this was YouTube.com).

Once the authoritative DNS server sends back the associated IP address, it performs DNS cachе, storing information about this requested domain name and its corresponding IP address to your computer. This step is important, as it allows your browser to load the website faster, should you request the same domain name again.

Conclusion

DNS works via a set of servers, each responsible for acquiring the IP address of the domain name that you have entered in your web browser. The process is comprehensive, however, it only takes a few seconds to be fully completed.

The post How Does DNS Work appeared first on AwardSpace.com.

In the next paragraphs, you will read about the different parts of a domain name, what they do, and why are they important.

Understanding the Different Parts of Domains

Domain names are comprised of 4 domain parts. 3 of these are mandatory, and one is optional.

These parts are:

1. HTTPS protocol (mandatory part).
2. Second-level domain (mandatory part).
3. Top-level domain (mandatory part).
4. Subdomain (optional part).

The idea behind the components of a domain name is to give as specific information as possible.

Let’s see more in detail.

1. HTTPS Protocol

HTTPS is the secure version of HTTP.

HTTP, an abbreviation for Hypertext Transfer Protocol, is the foundation on which the communication between clients and web servers is made possible.

At its core, HTTP contains a set of requirements for formatting and processing computer data, called a protocol. This protocol is what computer devices use to exchange various types of information between themselves.

In the example, https://ExampleWebsite.com, the part “https://” indicates that HTTP is being used to transfer the data, associated with this domain name.

2. Second-Level Domain

Let’s keep with the example from the previous point– https://ExampleWebsite.com

This domain name is comprised of 3 domain parts –  the http// protocol, and two parts, separated by a dot. These parts are “ExampleWebsite” and “.com”.

In this example, the part “ExampleWebsite” is called a Second Level Domain (SLD) and can be comprised of any combination of symbols, words, and phrases you wish, as long as this combination is unique, compared to all other domain names.

When choosing your domain name (and customizing your second-level domain), you can use your brand’s name, your name, or any prominent word or phrase that is common in the industry your website will be about, or anything else.

Here are some tips you can have in mind when choosing a SLD for your website:

• Keep it short and simple.
• Keep it memorable.
• Make sure it is available and not protected from use.
• Add a keyword, so you add a kick to SEO.

3. Top-Level Domain

Top-level domains, or TLDs, known also as domain extensions, are the components that stay on the right of the second-level domain and are separated by a dot.

For example, in http://ExampleWebsite.com, the top-level domain is “.com”.

You can’t register a domain name without including the TLD part.

TLDs give more information about what the website, associated with the domain is all about. With TLD, you can inform your potential site visitors that your website is a governmental one, a company one, educational, informational, or anything else.

There are numerous types of top-level domains, categorized depending on what type of information they give about the website they correspond to. Here are some examples:

Generic TLDs. These top-level domains are commonly used and grant information about what your website is about. Examples include:

• .com – an extension used for the majority of websites.
• .net – Intended for websites in the tech industry. Today .net is widely used by various websites.
• .org – This TLD is primarily used by non-profits, charitable organizations, and NGOs.
• .edu – Specific TLD, used by American educational institutions.
• .gov – USA-exclusive TLD, reserved for the websites of USA federal institutions.
• .co – An alternative to .com, this TLD is widely used by startup companies and businesses operating in the high-tech industry.

Generic-Restricted Top-Level Domains (grTLD). Such top-level domains can only be used after certain requirements are met.

IANA, the global organization that oversees IP address allocation globally, has set a list of rules that you should abide by to receive the right to use such TLD.

grTLD examples include:

• .biz
• .name
• .pro

Sponsored Top-Level Domains (sTLD). sTLDs are special types of top-level domains and are sponsored by private organizations.

Sponsored top-level domains are used by organizations that operate in the same industry and share similar themes.

The specific thing about sTLDs is that the sponsoring organization has the final word on whether the requirements to receive such top-level domain are met.

Examples include:

• .museum
• .edu
• .mil

Country-Code TLDs. These top-level domains indicate that the given website, corresponding with that domain name is focused on a specific country and its institutions, territory, and organizations that operate in such regions.

Examples include:

• .au – Australia
• .ca – Canada
• .uk – United Kingdom
• .fr – France
• .ie – Ireland

Test Top-Level Domains. Such domains are reserved for testing and development activities.

What is specific for testing top-level domains is that they can’t be registered via a Domain Name System. This means that you can freely use such top-level domains without risking any future conflict with the domain name.

Examples include:

• .test
• .example
• .invalid
• .localhost

4. Subdomain

Subdomains are optional prefixes that are added to the domain name to separate certain types of content on your website in a different website, which different websites remain within the boundaries of your main domain.

Subdomains are placed to the left of second-level domains and are separated by a dot.

An example of a subdomain is this:

blog.ExampleWebsite.com

in this domain the subdomain is “blog.” – it is placed right next to the second-level domain (ExampleWebsite), on its left side, and gives a certain type of information as to what type of information the website associated with this domain contains.

In the example above, as the name suggests, blog.ExampleWebsite.com would lead to a separate website, containing the entire blog section of the http://ExampleWebsite.com website.

Other uses of subdomains might be creating an online store (store.ExampleWebsite.com), a test environment for web developers (test.ExampleWebsite.com), or separating the mobile version of a given website from the desktop version (mobile.ExampleWebsite.com).

Conclusion

Subdomains are comprised of 3 mandatory parts and one optional. Each part gives information on what the website is about and performs a specific function.

Check also:

• What is a Domain Name
• The Difference Between Domain Hosting and Domain Transfer
• How to Choose a Domain Name (6 Key Tips)
• How Does DNS Work
• What is ICANN
• What is a Nameserver

The post Understanding the Different Parts of Domains appeared first on AwardSpace.com.