Domain Name Extensions

What are Domain Names, and what do the dot extensions mean?

Domain names, like ourhutch.com, are the dotted addresses for web pages, e-mail servers and other sites or places (objects) on the Internet. They are actually organized structures that translate into IP (Internet Protocol) numbers which are the real addresses of these things. Computers don't actually understand domain names. They use a special system of look-up tables to locate the corresponding IP number (eg: 168.23.147.19) which is the actual address of a specific computer, server or other device on the Internet. Domain names are much easier for us humans to remember. Which would you find easier: www.ourhutch.com or a bunch of numbers separated by dots?

Although we read domain names from left to right like any address, the computer actually looks at the separate parts from right to left. The right-most part, ofen called the extension is properly known as the top level domain, or TLD.

The TLD is the highest-level category of Internet names. The Internet domain look-up system, or domain name space as it is called, is divided into several TLDs. The extensions .com, .net and .org are part of the original domain naming system which also included .gov and .edu, and actually predates the current Internet.

Although originally part of the U.S. based network only, the extensions .com, .net and .org are now considered "generic" domains because they are not affiliated with any country, but serve the current global Internet. These types of generic domains are unrestricted--this means anyone from anywhere can register as many .com, .net or .org domain names as they like.

Originally, .com was used to designate a commercial business or service, .net was used for networks and network providers such as ISPs, and .org was for organizations like the Boy Scouts or Red Cross. These designations have become blurred with businesses, organizations and networks all using a mixture of extension. The .gov and .edu extensions are still primarily reserved for U.S. government and degree granting education institutions respectively.

Recently introduced TLD's like .info and .biz are examples of global Top Level Domains (gTLDs). The extensions .tv (from Tuvalu) and .ws (from Western Samoa) are examples of country code Top Level Domains (ccTLDs). The ccTLDs are operated by separate registry authorities in 192 countries. Unrestricted country-specific domain names allow anyone from anywhere to register a domain name just like .com, .net and .org. Some ccTLDs have been opened by their respective countries to anyone looking for a creative alternative to a gTLD. For example, .tv is now available for anyone who might want their Web extension to mean "television." And .ws is open to anyone who might want their web extension to mean "web site." Some ccTLDs have restrictions on the name and amount you can register -- often a local presence in the country designated is required to register a ccTLD-based domain name.

If you have questions about registering a domain name for your own use, please contact us. We provide complete help in selecting a name suitable for you and choosing the right TLD. We can also handle the whole domain name registration process and DNS management function for you. Contact: domains@ourhutch.com.

Phone: (620) 728-1371
E-mail: advertising@ourhutch.com