Like all things digital, the network of computers that make up the Internet functions by numbers. Most people, however, do much better with names. So a clever scheme called the Domain Name System (DNS) was devised whereby humans could use words to designate websites or regions of cyberspace. These translate into IP numbers for the machines so everyone can be happy.  

You can get domain names for your business, your family, and your personal interests. A good domain name is not only easy to remember but tells something interesting about the site. Domains are not only essential for web-hosting, but quite useful for email addresses, too. But they must be hosted by an ISP to actually be used for either website or email addresses. They can be switched from ISP to ISP, too, so if you move across country, you don't have to change the email address you give out.

Each domain name must be unique, so to keep it all working, domain names must be officially registered. Anyone can have one, from the humblest cybercitizen to the mightiest institution — as many as one wants, too. However, they are not really “owned” by the registrants, rather they are leased to the user. Hence, the registration must be renewed on an annual basis, though you can generally pay for a number of years in advance if you want.

Domain names must follow a certain format. To make them machine readable blank spaces and certain characters such as . , \ / ! & and so on can't be used but capitals and lower-case don't matter. The names themselves are split up by periods (.).

Names must belong to divisions called top-level domains, which like in family names in our culture, is the last part. At first, all these were regulated, as those used by educational institutions (.edu), the government (.gov), and US military (.mil) still are, but otherwise it's all grown somewhat loose and confused.

 The original intent was to divide the Internet along organizational or geographic lines. The top level now includes .com, .org, .net, .biz, .info, and many more all the time. It also includes two-letter country codes, like .uk for Britain, .cn for China, and so on.

To further complicate things, there are also subdomains, smaller divisions of the namespace, that go in front like personal names. The most common is www. but it's by no means universal.

The naming system’s fairly complex but does allow for a great deal of variety and flexibility. And also frequent confusion due to nearly identical names, an unfortunate effect which allows unscrupulous types to misdirect visitors. This is often used to create criminal phishing websites which try to deceive people into believing they are actually their banks or even the IRS and give them personal information. 

To prevent this, some institutions have even tried to grab up every similar name to their website, now a nearly impossible task. But domains have become so vital for institutional identity that “domain squatters” will seize the best ones if they accidentally become available and resell them, often back to the original owner, for sometimes huge amounts of money.

As a full-service ISP, Southwest Cyberport hosts many domains and associated websites. You can transfer or register new domain names with us for only $20 for the first year and $20 thereafter. If you transfer your domain here, we'll add the time remaining from your previous registration to your new one, too.

Website hosting fees are extra. Call us for more information, including our convenient business webhosting packages and available discounts. 

 by Jay Nelson, Editor

from SWCP Portal, September 2007