How do domain names work?

[ccb056]

A domain name is very similar to an address forwarding service. The domain name is the address people type in their web browser to get to your web site. The domain name then points to the "real" address that contains your web site. The "real" address is called the IP address and is a series of numbers, such as 123.23.234.45. This IP address then points to the location on the server that contains your web site files. The reason we use domain names instead of IP addresses is because for most people a name, rather than a series of numbers, is much easier to remember. So, your domain name points to your IP address, which in turn points to your web site which allows users all across the Internet to view your web pages.

[noe]

Name servers are the Internet's equivalent to a phone book. A name server maintains a directory of domain names and matching IP addresses. The information from all the name servers across the Internet is then gathered in the Central Registry. Host companies check in with the Central Registry on a regular schedule to get updated name server information, which makes it possible for people across the Internet to access your Web site. When your domain is set up, information about your domain name is added to our name servers. We then send that information to the Central Registry so that other name servers on the Internet may locate your Web site. It usually takes about 4-8 hours for .COM and .NET domains and about 24-48 hours for all other domain extensions before name servers on other networks are able to access the information after the Central Registry gets it. This period is referred to as the propagation period.