Domain Name Servers (DNS), IP Addresses and Domain Parking
A DNS or Domain Name Server is an integral part of the Domain Name System. It is the system of computers and databases connected to the Internet that are responsible for doing the following:
Translating your Domain Name into an IP (Internet Protocol) address. A Domain Name is a lot easier to remember than a bunch of numbers.
Specifying the mail servers responsible for email distribution for your Domain Name.
Domain Names correspond to a series of numbers called IP (Internet Protocol) Addresses. An IP address is the communications protocol used to exchange data over computer networks. IP addresses allow large, geographical networks of computers to communicate with each other quickly and economically over a variety of physical links. An IP address is the numerical address by which location in the Internet is identified. It consists of four sets of numbers, each of which range from 0 to 255 separated by dots. Example 178.18.19.240.
Your ISP should be able to give you this information. If you have a windows machine, you may be able to obtain this information using IPCONFIG or WINIPCFG from a DOS command or prompt. If you do not have name servers or do not know what they are, you can automatically elect to have the default DNS servers listed. This is called parking.
The DNS ensures that data, which is sent to a specific address, arrives at that address and no other. In order to send data to a web address on the Internet, it must have associated with it a unique IP Address. The DNS provides the association between a Domain Name and its IP Address.
"Parking" is what many people do when they don't have a use for their domains yet or do not have name servers. In order to register a domain though, you must have a name server to put it on. You can automatically elect to have the default DNS servers listed. Parking your domain is free.
When registering a Domain Name you must list a primary and secondary server. If you do not have name servers or do not know what they are, you can automatically elect to have the default DNS servers listed. This is called parking.
The two host computers on which your Domain Name is hosted. The server information consists of a Name Server and IP address.
No not necessarily. You will need to check with your ISP to be sure.
Yes. Once you have registered a domain name you can edit your DNS server information directly through the Manage Domains menu option. You then select modify DNS details and select the Domain Name.
Domain Name Servers must be registered with a central Registry, NSI Registry. Twice a day, at 11AM and 11PM the root and COM, ORG, NET zones are updated by NSI. This update includes all domain registrations and modifications up until then. The zones are then progressively placed onto the root servers (the servers that allow your domain to be available on the Internet). This takes between 24 hours and a few days.
