[ADDRESS] domain names: [PERSON_NAME]

Procédure

When you manage a domain name, you may come across terms such as DNS, subdomain, CNAME, registrar or Auth code. This glossary helps you understand their meaning and role simply.

The terms are grouped by theme so that you can quickly find the information you are looking for. For the actions to be carried out in your [PERSON_NAME] hosting customer area, 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 [ADDRESS] ;
• .be for [ADDRESS] ;
• .de for Germany ;
• .es for Spain.

Registration rules can vary from one extension to another.

gTLD

A gTLD is a generic extension that is not directly associated with a country.

For example:

• .com
• .net
• .org
• .info

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 [PERSON_NAME] the classic Latin alphabet.

[PERSON_NAME] makes it possible, for example, to use certain accented characters in a domain name when the extension concerned accepts them.

Subdomain

A subdomain makes it possible 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, [PERSON_NAME]>[PERSON_NAME]>, identifies a machine or a service on a network.

On the Internet, it can for example correspond to:

serveur.monsite.fr

In most common uses, you [PERSON_NAME] a hostname.

Understanding DNS

DNS

DNS, for Domain Name System, is the system that makes it possible in particular to connect a domain name to the servers used by a website, e-mails or other services.

For example, when a user enters monsite.fr, DNS makes it possible to determine 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 [ADDRESS] DNS servers, [ADDRESS] DNS zone of the domain 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 make it possible to direct the services associated with your domain.

It can in particular 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 a domain's e-mails.

An incorrect modification of MX records can prevent messages from being received.

TXT record

A TXT record makes it possible to publish textual information in the DNS zone.

It is notably used to:

• verify ownership of a domain with an external service;
• configure SPF;
• configure certain security mechanisms related to e-mails.

[PERSON_NAME], 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 DNS record of type TXT.

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 that it has not been modified during transit.

DMARC

DMARC complements SPF and DKIM.

It makes it possible in particular for a domain owner to indicate to receiving servers how to handle messages that do not pass authentication checks correctly.

Who is involved in managing a domain name?

[ADDRESS] of the domain

The holder, [PERSON_NAME]em>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 information of the [ADDRESS]>

Certain important changes may require validation from 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 the office [PERSON_NAME] extensions that it offers directly or through its partners.

Registry

The registry is the organization responsible for managing a domain name extension.

It defines in particular certain rules applicable to domain names using this extension.

The rules can therefore be different between a domain in .fr, .com, .eu or another extension.

[PERSON_NAME] and domain life cycle

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: anyone who has it can attempt to initiate a transfer of the domain.

[PERSON_NAME] domain

A transfer consists of moving the management of a domain name from one registrar to another.

A transfer does not correspond to a change of owner.

In many cases, the website and e-mail addresses can continue to function during the transfer if their DNS configuration remains unchanged.

Change of ownership

A change of ownership consists of modifying the holder of the domain.

This operation is different from a transfer to another provider.

Depending on the extension concerned, validations or special conditions may be requested.

Expiration

A domain name is registered for a specified period and must be renewed.

When it reaches expiration, 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.

[PERSON_NAME], the domain is generally no longer usable normally but can sometimes still be restored.

HOLD status

A domain placed in HOLD status may no longer be published normally in DNS.

This may in particular prevent access to the website or the functioning of the associated e-mail addresses.

The reason for the status must be checked before making any change.

Registration data, [ADDRESS] and WHOIS

Registration data makes it possible to obtain certain technical or administrative information about a domain name, [PERSON_NAME] :

• its registrar;
• its registration and expiration dates;
• its DNS servers;
• certain statuses associated with the domain.

The term WHOIS is historically used to refer to the services that make it possible to consult this information.

For generic extensions, the RDAP protocol is now used as the reference system for consulting registration 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 necessary 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 DNS configuration of the domain 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 ownership modifies the domain's holder.

These are two separate operations.

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 website to it.

How long does it take for a DNS change to become visible?

A DNS change is not always visible immediately.

Old information may [PERSON_NAME] 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 but not yet from others.

Are a web redirect and a 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 meet the same need.