Domain Name Glossary
Parking, Pointing or
Hosting
All
domain names must have Domain Name Records (DNS) before
they can be purchased. When you therefore register a
domain name you must choose between either domain parking,
domain pointing or domain hosting (Web Hosting) so that
the relevant Internet Service Provider (ISP) can create
the Domain Name Records (DNS) prior to registration of the
domain name.
Domain Parking
Many
people do not have their own web site at the time of
domain name registration or simple don't want to use the
domain immediately and therefore only park such domain.
This allows you to register a domain name without having a
web site or web hosting account. You can park your domain
name for as long as you wish and then apply for or switch
over to web hosting when you are ready to use your domain
name.
In
plain language Domain Parking is precise that the name
implies and you can consider it in the same terms as when
you park your new car at a garage until you get your
drivers licence or returned from a 3 month long holiday.
(Please remember that, while your domain is parked, you
cannot use it to host a website or for e-mail etc)
Domain Pointing
Domain Pointing is similar
to domain parking except that the "parked"
domain are pointed to another domain and website.
Example: User types in address bar of browser
- http://www.THIS-DOMAIN.co.za- But then go to an
url called - http://www.OTHER-DOMAIN.co.za.
It is the same as re-direct but re-direct orign via a web
page while pointing
orign direct from the Domain Name Records.
Web Hosting
Web hosting allows your Web
site to be connected to the Internet at high speed via a
Web server so its information can be viewed globally
through a browser. Metaphorically speaking, renting space
on a server is comparable to renting an shopping window.
For a monthly fee, you can display anything you like in
that window for the whole world to see 24 hours a day, 365
days a year. You also have access to certain features such
as e-mail, databases etc. A Web hosting company
houses your Web site on it's own secure servers, enabling
you to affordably leverage the power of a high-speed
network, expert monitoring and support, and
state-of-the-art technology.
Domain Names
All computers on the world
wide web ("the Internet") are assigned special
numbers called IP addresses (Internet Protocol Numbers),
e.g. 260.9.44.18, to enable them to locate and communicate
with each other. Like telephone numbers, each Domain Name
must be unique.
Domain names are used
generally as a convenient way of locating information and
reaching others on the Internet. The Domain Name System
was created so that names like www.registrations.co.za
could be used in place of 260.9.44.18:80.
Your domain name should be
distinctive and preferably directly related to your
company's name. In many instances people find your web
site by assuming or guessing, based on your company name,
so it is imperative that your Domain Name is easily
associated to your company's name. |
