.SG Domain General FAQ Singapore FAQ - How does the Internet address things?
- The Internet uses two addressing schemes--number-based Internet Protocol (IP) addresses and text-based Domain Name System (DNS) names. An IP address consists of four numbers ranging from 0 to 255, separated by periods. Each machine on the Internet must have a unique IP address. A domain name is a textual address for a location on the Internet. It corresponds to the actual alpha numeric address which the Internet computers can read.
- Why domain names?
- Although IP addresses provide a convenient, compact representation for locating machines, on the internet, users prefer to assign machines pronounceable, easily remembered names. A domain name can also create an expectation about who is at that location because it is often a shorthand naming term, or even a trademark or descriptive term with secondary meaning. Further more, the use of domain names has the advantage of shielding network changes from users. Names are often given to machines according to the services that they offer. For example, www normally denotes the name of the web server on the network. Users remember such names rather than specific IP address. In the event that the web server is shifted from one machine to another, only the IP addresses change but not the name. Hence, users can still access the web server using the same name and the change in machines is transparent to the users.
- What is DNS?
- The Internet Domain Name System ( DNS ) is a set of distributed databases containing IP addresses and their corresponding domain names. Each domain name is mapped to a particular numeric address. DNS, with servers located all over the Internet, performs the translation back and forth between names and numbers. This scheme enables users to invoke an easy-to-remember name ( e.g. www.101domain.com.sg, etc.) instead of a more mysterious string of numbers ( e.g. 160.96.7.25) when using the Internet. In the beginning, the original set of machine names used throughout the Internet formed a flat name space. A central site, the Internet Network Information Center ( NIC ), adminstered the namespace and determined whether a new name was appropriate ( i.e. it prohibits obscene names or names that conflicted with existing ones ). As the internet grew, this system was no longer appropriate. Hence, a hierarchical naming scheme is used and the name system is decentralised by delegating authority for parts of the namespace and distributing responsibility for the mapping between names and addresses.
- What are name servers?
- Name servers are computers that map easily forgettable numbers that computers understand, into easily remembered names.
* For each domain name, you need at least two DNS (Domain Name System) servers - a primary and at least, one secondary DNS server, as required by Internet guidelines (RFCs 1591 & 2182. The name servers must be continuously connected on the Internet but need not be dedicated i.e. they can run on servers performing other work (e.g. mail servers, web servers etc). You can also use one name server system for more than one domain. If you do not have your own dedicated server, 101Domain can provide DNS hosting name services.
* The physical location of your servers does not matter. Your organization can register for a domain name as long as it satisfies the requirements.
- What's the difference between a domain name (e.g.: xxx.com.sg) and a URL (e.g.: www.xxx.com.sg)?
- A domain name is the textual address of the location of a set of machines whereas the URL (Uniform Resource Locator) refers to the location of a particular document on the Internet. When you register xxx.com.sg, you are informing everyone that there is an easier reference to a set of machines, other than their specific IP addresses. The term, www.xxx.com.sg is a host name, i.e. the name of a machine that resides within the xxx.com.sg domain. It is common practice to have web servers running on hosts with names as www (for World Wide Web). Before anyone can access www.xxx.com.sg, there must be a record that one can look up which maps www.xxx.com.sg to the specific IP address. This is done on your primary and secondary name servers (provided by your own machines or by your service providers).
- How do I know if a name has been registered?
- You can check the availability of your domain name by using our online Whois lookup.
- Will my details be available to all registrars and the public?
- Generally, basic details will be available via the WHOIS facility on 101Domain's website. Sensitive data will not be made available.
Source: www.nic.net.sg
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