Domain Names
Here are the basics on domain names. A domain name is based on what is known as the Domain Name System. You have probably heard individuals speak of the acronym DNS. There is a main root domain and also what are called subdomains. An example of a root domain is http://www.ROOT.com and an example of a subdomain is http://SUBDOMAIN.ROOT.com. You can have multiple subdomains however the only individual that can create a sub-domain is the one that has control of the root domain.

A root domain is also known as a top-level domain, acronym TLD, with domains such as .com, .org, and .net. You may also have heard of country code top level domains, acronym ccTLDs. These are just the beginning of the types of domains you can register at a domain registrar.

Relationship between Domains and IPs
Each computer or website, and other things such as applications can as well, have an IP (Internet Protocol) address. An IP takes the form of #.#.#.# such as 84.165.215.5. It would be extremely difficult to recall a website by the IP address therefore the domain name system allows you to associate a domain name such as DOMAIN.com to an IP address. In general think of a domain name as an easy way to remember the IP address without having to know it. For this reason a domain name must be unique as it will point to one location or IP address. So therefore as an example DOMAIN.com can only point to one website.

How to Obtain a Domain Name: Domain Registration
Domain registration is authorized and run by the Internet Corporation for Assigned Names and Numbers, acronym ICANN. ICANN allows other organizations to register domains to the public known as registrars. In order to obtain a domain name you must do so through a registrar.

Each registrar has the ability to allow you to register a domain name. Each registrar has to go through the ICANN and therefore must check to assure no one else can register the same domain. There is no difference in a domain from one registrar to the next, the domain name is the same. What me be slightly different is the interface the registrar provides you to manage your domains and the tools. At each registrar you can typically at least update domains, modify contact information, and point them to your desired IP address. ICANN has to maintain a database of all the registered domains. Registrars check that database to be sure that only one individual has the ability to maintain and modify the domain.

The registering of a domain does not mean you own it. You can have control over the domain, change name servers and otherwise change the domain name record but you do not own it. Think of it as a lease. You pay a yearly fee to the domain registrar, the domain registrar in turn has to pay a fee to ICANN. You can prepay years in advance however if you do not pay you loose control over the domain and someone else can then assume control over the domain or domain names.