Procédure
Service concerned : domain names
Panel concerned : no specific panel
Level : beginner
When managing a domain name, you may come across terms such as DNS, subdomain, CNAME, registrar, or Auth code. This glossary helps you easily understand their meaning and role.
The terms are grouped by theme so that you can quickly find the information you need. For actions to be carried out in your customer area or hosting space, you will find the corresponding detailed guides at the bottom of the page.
Understanding a domain name
Domain name
A domain name is the address used to access a website or service on the Internet, for example monsite.fr.
It makes it possible to use an easy-to-remember name instead of an IP address made up of numbers or technical characters.
A domain name can be used for a website, e-mail addresses, or other online services.
Extension
The extension is the part at the end of the domain name.
In monsite.fr, the extension is .fr.
There are many extensions, for example:
.fr.com.net.org.eu.be
The term TLD is also used to refer to a domain name extension.
ccTLD
A ccTLD is an extension mainly associated with a country or territory.
For example:
.fr for France;.be for Belgium;.de for Germany;.es for Spain.
Registration rules may vary from one extension to another.
gTLD
A gTLD is a generic extension that is not directly associated with a country.
For example:
There are also many newer extensions such as .shop, .online or .site.
IDN
An IDN, for Internationalized Domain Name, is a domain name that can contain characters that are not part of the standard Latin alphabet.
This makes it possible, for example, to use certain accented characters in a domain name when the relevant extension accepts them.
Subdomain
A subdomain allows you to create a separate address from the same domain name.
For example, with the domain:
monsite.fr
you can create:
blog.monsite.fr
or:
boutique.monsite.fr
A subdomain can display a different website or be used for a specific service.
Host name or hostname
A host name, also called a hostname, identifies a machine or a service on a network.
On the Internet, it may for example correspond to:
serveur.monsite.fr
In most common uses, you will not need to modify a hostname directly.
Understanding DNS
DNS
DNS, for Domain Name System, is the system that makes it possible, among other things, to link a domain name to the servers used by a website, e-mails, or other services.
For example, when an internet user enters monsite.fr, DNS determines which server the request should be sent to.
DNS servers
DNS servers indicate where the DNS configuration of a domain is managed.
When you use LWS DNS servers, the domain’s DNS zone is generally managed from the relevant LWS services.
Changing DNS servers and modifying a DNS zone are two different operations.
DNS zone
The DNS zone contains the various records that direct the services associated with your domain.
It can notably indicate:
- which server your website should point to;
- which servers should receive your e-mails;
- how certain external services should verify your domain.
A record
An A record links a domain name or subdomain to an IPv4 address.
For example, it can indicate which IP address monsite.fr should be directed to.
AAAA record
An AAAA record works like an A record, but it uses an IPv6 address.
CNAME record
A CNAME record makes it possible to map one name to another host name.
It is often used for subdomains or to connect a domain to certain external services.
MX record
An MX record indicates which servers are responsible for receiving e-mails for a domain.
An incorrect modification of MX records may prevent messages from being received.
TXT record
A TXT record allows you to publish textual information in the DNS zone.
It is notably used to:
- verify domain ownership with an external service;
- configure SPF;
- configure certain security mechanisms related to e-mails.
Understanding SPF, DKIM and DMARC
SPF
SPF makes it possible to indicate which servers are authorized to send e-mails on behalf of your domain.
The SPF policy is generally published in a TXT-type DNS record.
Proper SPF configuration helps limit spoofing of your sending address.
DKIM
DKIM adds a digital signature to sent e-mails.
This signature allows the receiving server to verify that the message really comes from an authorized server and has not been modified during transport.
DMARC
DMARC complements SPF and DKIM.
It allows, among other things, the owner of a domain to indicate to receiving servers how to handle messages that do not properly pass authentication checks.
Who is involved in managing a domain name?
Domain holder
The holder, sometimes called the registrant, is the person or organization in whose name the domain is registered.
It is important that their information is accurate and up to date.
Owner contact
The owner contact corresponds to the holder’s information associated with the domain name.
Some important changes may require validation of this contact.
Technical contact
The technical contact may be responsible for managing the technical aspects of the domain.
Depending on the service configuration, it may be different from the holder.
Registrar or registration office
The registrar, also called the registration office, is the provider with whom you register and manage your domain name.
LWS acts as a registrar for the extensions it offers directly or through its partners.
Registry
The registry is the organization responsible for managing a domain name extension.
It defines certain rules applicable to domain names using that extension.
The rules may therefore differ between a domain in .fr, .com, .eu, or another extension.
Transfer and lifecycle of a domain
Auth code, AuthInfo or EPP code
The Auth code, sometimes called AuthInfo, transfer code, or EPP code, is a code used to authorize the transfer of a domain name to another registrar.
Not all extensions necessarily use the same procedure.
This code must be kept confidential: someone who has it may try to initiate a transfer of the domain.
Domain name transfer
A transfer consists of moving the management of a domain name from one registrar to another.
The transfer does not correspond to a change of owner.
In many cases, the website and e-mail addresses can continue to work during the transfer if their DNS configuration remains unchanged.
Change of owner
A change of owner consists of modifying the domain holder.
This operation is different from a transfer to another provider.
Depending on the extension concerned, validations or specific conditions may be required.
Expiration
A domain name is registered for a fixed period and must be renewed.
When it expires, the services associated with the domain may be interrupted.
It is therefore recommended to renew the domain before its expiration date.
Redemption period
After expiration and depending on the extension used, a domain may enter a redemption period.
During this period, the domain is generally no longer normally usable but may sometimes still be restored.
Restoring a domain during the redemption period may incur additional fees. The length of this period and recovery options depend on the extension concerned.
HOLD status
A domain placed in HOLD status may no longer be published normally in DNS.
This may notably prevent access to the website or the operation of the associated e-mail addresses.
The reason for the status must be checked before making any change.
Registration data, RDAP and WHOIS
Registration data makes it possible to obtain certain technical or administrative information about a domain name, such as:
- its registrar;
- its registration and expiration dates;
- its DNS servers;
- certain statuses associated with the domain.
The term WHOIS has historically been used to refer to the services allowing this information to be consulted.
For generic extensions, the RDAP protocol is now used as the reference system for consulting registration data.
The personal contact details of a domain holder are not necessarily public. Depending on the extension, the registry and the type of holder, certain information may be hidden to protect personal data.
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between a domain name and hosting?
The domain name is the address used to access your site, for example monsite.fr.
Hosting refers to the space where the files, databases, and other elements needed for the site to function are stored.
You can therefore own a domain name without hosting, or point your domain to hosting located with another provider.
What is the difference between DNS servers and the DNS zone?
DNS servers indicate where the domain’s DNS configuration is managed.
The DNS zone contains the records that actually direct the website, e-mails, and other services.
You can therefore change a record in your DNS zone without changing the domain’s DNS servers.
What is the difference between transferring a domain and changing its owner?
A transfer changes the registrar responsible for managing the domain.
A change of owner modifies the holder of the domain.
These are two distinct operations.
Can I change the name of a domain after it has been registered?
No. Once registered, the name itself cannot be renamed.
If you want to use another address, you must register a new domain name and then, if necessary, move or redirect your site to it.
How long does it take for a DNS change to be visible?
A DNS change is not always visible immediately.
Old information may remain temporarily stored in different DNS caches. The delay depends in particular on the type of change and the values configured in the DNS zone.
It is therefore normal for a change to work quickly from some networks and not yet from others.
Are a web redirect and DNS pointing the same thing?
No.
A DNS pointing indicates which server or service a domain should be directed to.
A web redirect sends the visitor from one web address to another, for example from ancien-site.fr to nouveau-site.fr.
These two mechanisms do not serve the same purpose.
Yes
No
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