What is a domain name?
Back to domainsExplanation what is a domain name:
A domain name (or "domain" for short) refers to the ip address of a web server.
The web server will then pick this up, and send visitors to the correct directory where your files are located.
When you type a domain name into your browser, the browser will display the files from the Web server.
Each server has its own ip address. Because these addresses are technically originally made up of strings of numbers, for example: 87.236.99.16. this is hard to remember, imagine if there were no domain names then you always had to type in ip addresses. Since words/letters are generally easier to remember than numbers the number strings are converted to a (domain) name.
SLD and TLD
A domain name always starts with an SLD (sub level domain) followed by a TLD (top level domain).
In the case of exampledomain.nl, the SLD is example domain and the TLD is .nl.
You can always make up your own SLD and choose the corresponding TLD.
Of course you have to choose from an existing TLD (e.g. .net / .com / .nl, .shop etc.).
For more information about a TLD, click here.
When can I register / appropriate a domain?
You can register the domain name when the domain name is still free.
If the domain name is occupied, unfortunately you cannot register it, and you will have to choose another combination of SLD or TLD.
The properties of a domain name:
A domain name contains several properties, namely:
- Contact profiles (holder / admin-c, tech-c)
- Nameservers (which server the domain name should be sent to).
- Status (active, quarantine, clienthold)
- Start and expiration date
Registry
All domains are registered with a registry.
For more information on what a registry is, click here.
Holder
With a domain name the holder / admin-c is always the most important contact profile.
Always make sure the holder is correct, if not it can cause serious problems such as losing your domain name.
Quarantine
Once a domain name has expired it will be quarantined.
Retrieving a domain name from quarantine involves additional costs, which are more expensive than the renewal fee.
The advice is therefore to check carefully whether the domains are renewed to avoid the quarantine period + extra costs.
